Postcode area guide

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NW postcode area

Explore the North West London postcode area with maps, quick facts, towns, delivery offices, neighbouring areas and postcode district coverage.

The NW area code stands for n and w in <strong>N</strong>orth <strong>W</strong>est London.

Map of the NW postcode area

Use the interactive map to explore the area boundary and neighbouring postcode areas.

Overview

The NW Postcode Area

The NW postcode area covers much of north-west London, ranging from the edge of the West End to the outer suburbs and pockets of open countryside. It includes major transport hubs such as London Euston and London Marylebone, separated by Regent’s Park, home to London Zoo, with the British Library located close to Euston.

The inner part of the area takes in districts such as Camden Town, known for its markets and alternative culture, as well as Kentish Town, Chalk Farm, Belsize Park and Hampstead. The landscape here is shaped by waterways including the Regent’s Canal, and by some of London’s most valued green spaces, notably Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill, which offer wide views across the city.

Further west and north the character becomes more suburban, including areas such as Harlesden, Willesden, Brent Cross, Golders Green, Hendon, Kingsbury and Mill Hill. The River Brent, the Brent Reservoir, and the Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm) are key features of the wider area.

NW also contains distinctive historic and cultural sites, including Kensal Green Cemetery, the burial place of notable Victorians such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Charles Babbage, along with museums and attractions such as Fenton House, the Freud Museum, and the retail centre at Brent Cross. To the west, the character shifts again into major rail and industrial landscapes around Old Oak Common and Park Royal.

The NW postcode area covers North West London.

The postcode area borders the following neighbouring postcode areas: HA - Harrow, WC - London - WC, WD - Watford, EN - Enfield, W - London - W and N - London - N and is located inland.

The postcode area falls within the following counties: Greater London (100.00%).

Map of the NW Postcode for North West London

Map of The NW Postcode Area
Terrain Map of the NW - North West London Postcode.

Quick facts

NW area statistics
Width east to west7.39 mi
Height north to south8.53 mi
Area31.31 mi²
Maximum width10.13 mi
Perimeter42.80 mi
Postcode districts13
Postcode sectors83
Post towns1
Postcodes13,964
Population551,407

The NW postcode area has a population of 551,407 and covers 81,089 hectares. Roughly 0.85% of the population of Great Britain lives here.

How this area fits into London postcodes

The NW area is part of London’s distinctive postcode system.

View London postcodes

Post towns and postcode districts

Where is the NW postcode area?

Location map for the NW postcode area
Location map of the postcode area.
Word cloud for the NW postcode area
Word cloud of place names within the area.

How built up is the postcode area?

This compares building footprint coverage against the total land area across each postcode district. The least urban district is NW7 and the most urban is NW1.

Postcode district Total area (m²) Footprint area (m²) Built percentage
NW7 12,292,894 1,077,503 8.77%
NW4 5,790,695 1,032,514 17.83%
NW9 10,201,663 1,894,426 18.57%
NW11 5,624,680 1,070,561 19.03%
NW3 6,816,179 1,328,085 19.48%
NW2 8,902,609 1,883,871 21.16%
NW5 3,022,853 707,191 23.39%
NW10 14,722,286 3,645,396 24.76%
NW8 2,691,985 707,561 26.28%
NW6 5,127,380 1,386,916 27.05%
NW1 5,889,917 1,647,412 27.97%
Total 81,083,141 16,381,436 20.20%
Map of the NW postcode area
Boundary map showing NW in relation to neighbouring areas.
Map of post towns in the NW postal area
Post towns within the NW postal area.

Area measurements

Hectares81,089
Square miles313.09
Square feet8,728,338,871.00
Square kilometres810.89

Postal delivery offices

  • Cricklewood S Delivery Office
  • Golders Green S Delivery Office
  • Hampstead S Delivery Office
  • Hendon S Delivery Office
  • Kentish Town S Delivery Office
  • Kilburn S Delivery Office
  • Mill Hill S Delivery Office
  • Nw Delivery Office
  • St Johns Wood S Delivery Office
  • The Hyde S Delivery Office
  • Willesden S Delivery Office

Tourist attractions within the area

We found 10 visitor attractions within the North West London postcode area.

Royal Air Force Museum London
Museums & Art Galleries
Museum and / or Art Gallery
View on Google Maps
Ben Uri Art Gallery, London Jewish Museum of Art
Museums & Art Galleries
Museum and / or Art Gallery
View on Google Maps
Fenton House
Historic Properties
Historic House / House and Garden / Palace
View on Google Maps
2 Willow Road
Historic Properties
Historic House / House and Garden / Palace
View on Google Maps
Kenwood House
Historic Properties
Historic House / House and Garden / Palace
View on Google Maps
Keats House
Historic Properties
Historic House / House and Garden / Palace
View on Google Maps
ZSL London Zoo
Wildlife
Safari Park / Zoo / Aquarium / Aviary
View on Google Maps
Kentish Town City Farm
Farms
Farm / Rare Breeds / Farm Animals
View on Google Maps
Crypt Gallery & 13th Century Undercroft
Museums & Art Galleries
Museum and / or Art Gallery
View on Google Maps
British Library
Museums & Art Galleries
Museum and / or Art Gallery
View on Google Maps

Nearby postcode areas

HA WC WD EN W N

Neighbouring context

The postcode area borders the following neighbouring postcode areas: HA - Harrow, WC - London - WC, WD - Watford, EN - Enfield, W - London - W and N - London - N and is located inland.

Towns and villages within the area

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