West End Lane Public Conveniences is a Grade II listed building in the Camden local planning authority area, England. First listed on 12 October 2007. Public lavatories.

West End Lane Public Conveniences

WRENN ID
sunken-alcove-russet
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
Camden
Constituency
Hampstead and Highgate MP: Tulip Siddiq (Lab)
Country
England
Date first listed
12 October 2007
Type
Public lavatories
OS grid reference
TQ 254 852
Coordinates
51.55194, -0.19227
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The West End Lane public conveniences, built in the 1890s, are notable public lavatories located largely at basement level. They feature attractive iron railings set on brick dwarf walls and cast-iron gates with decorative overthrows at ground level. Inside, the walls are lined with cream glazed bricks, accented by a red glazed brick course at dado height, while the floors are adorned with black and red tiles arranged in a chequerwork pattern. The ladies' restroom contains three cubicles, each equipped with original wooden doors and ornate metal ventilation grilles above. Two original toilet bowls and one original lock remain, and an arched opening leads to the original washbasins. Ventilation is provided through high openings in the walls, also fitted with ornate metal grills. Although the gentlemen's lavatory was not inspected, it is known to have a similar tiled interior, cubicles, and washroom section as the ladies', along with a row of urinals.

Historically, most listed public WCs were constructed in the late 19th century, a period marked by advancements in sanitary science and the establishment of municipal governments that could fund civic improvements. The West End Lane conveniences likely date from this time, as they share stylistic similarities with those at South End Green in Hampstead, which were installed in 1897.

These public conveniences are designated for their attractive and colorful tiled interiors, as well as their well-preserved features, including basins, doors, ventilation grills, and signage, with no signs of vandalism or neglect. They also hold group value as part of a distinctive collection of late-Victorian civic structures, which includes a memorial drinking fountain from 1897, Emmanuel Church built in 1897 and 1903, and West Hampstead Fire Station from 1901, all of which are also listed.

Local climate

West End Lane Public Conveniences sits in one of the driest parts of the UK, with an average of 690 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 98% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 98% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 30 freeze-thaw cycles a year, fewer than 66% of listed buildings. Of these, 13 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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Nearby listed buildings

  1. Drinking Fountain on West End Green at the Junction with Mill Lane and West End Lane Grade II 41 m
  2. West Hampstead Fire Station Grade II 47 m
  3. Cottages to the Rear of the Fire Station Grade II 81 m
  4. Emmanuel Church Grade II 83 m
  5. Hampstead Synagogue Grade II* 237 m
  6. St Andrews Church Grade II 296 m
  7. Pair of K2 Telephone Kiosks Outside the Recreation Ground Grade II 462 m
  8. 25 and 27, Oakhill Avenue Grade II 462 m
  9. 21 and 23, Oakhill Avenue Grade II 480 m
  10. 33, Heath Drive Grade II 502 m