The station was built by the Midland Railway on its extension to St. Pancras, to serve the newly developed area around the hamlet of West End.

It opened on 1 March 1871, and was originally named West End for Kilburn and Hampstead.

[3] For a short period from 1878 the station formed part of the Super Outer Circle, Midland trains running through from St Pancras to Earl's Court via Acton Central and Turnham Green.

From March 2009, Southeastern and Thameslink began running some peak hour trains from Sevenoaks to Luton,[6] though in the off-peak these services turn back at Kentish Town.

The typical off-peak service in trains per hour is:[8] During the peak hours, the station is served by additional services between Luton and Orpington via Catford.