How Many Westfields Are In London

So, picture this: you’re sitting with a friend in a cozy café, and the question pops up. “How many Westfields are there in London?” It sounds simple, right? But trust me, this rabbit hole goes deeper than your last online shopping spree.

The short answer? Two. But oh, what a glorious, sprawling, shop-till-you-drop two they are. There’s the original beast in West London, Shepherd’s Bush. And then there’s the new kid, the massive one in Stratford, East London.

Wait, are you thinking that’s it? Don’t get comfortable yet. Because every time I say “two,” someone jumps in with, “But what about the one in Croydon?” Or, “Isn’t there a Centrale in Croydon that’s basically a Westfield?” That’s where the fun—and the confusion—really begins.

The Original: Westfield London (Shepherd’s Bush)

Let’s start with the granddaddy. Opened in 2008, it’s the big department store of shopping centres in Europe at the time. You know, the one with the massive John Lewis and that glass roof that makes you feel like you’re in a posh spaceship.

It’s so huge that they added a whole new wing in 2018. That wing is called the “Extension” and it’s basically a shopping centre inside a shopping centre. You could get lost in there for days—bring snacks.

The Sequel: Westfield Stratford City

Then came the Olympic Park’s best friend. Stratford City opened in 2011, right next to the London 2012 venues. It’s vast, with a cinema, a casino, and more shops than you can shake a loyalty card at.

This one has the “Village” part which feels like a separate outdoor mall. Pro tip: the food court here is a battlefield at lunchtime. But the variety? Unreal.

The Croydon Curveball (Centrale & Whitgift)

Ah, Croydon. The moment someone mentions it, I hear a collective sigh. You see, there was a plan. A big, shiny plan to build a third Westfield in Croydon, called “Westfield Croydon.” It was going to be epic.

Spoiler alert: It never happened. The project was officially cancelled in 2023. So, the Croydon shopping centres—Centrale and Whitgift—are just… regular shopping centres. Not a Westfield, no matter how much you squint.

What About the “Westfield” Brand Outside London?

Here’s where it gets tricky. The company that owns Westfield, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, also plonked their logo on places in other UK cities. You’ve got Westfield Derby, Westfield Merry Hill, and Westfield Broadmarsh in Nottingham (well, part of it is now a park).

But those aren’t London. They’re not part of the capital. So for our coffee chat, we ignore them. Focus, people.

The “Secret” One: Westfield King’s Cross?

Okay, this is my favorite conspiracy. Sometimes, people confuse the Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross with a Westfield. It’s not. Disclaimer: Coal Drops Yard is a hipster paradise with trendy boutiques, but it’s tiny compared to Westfield.

It’s like comparing a boutique hotel to a cruise ship. No contest.

So, the Final Tally?

Let’s lock it in. There are two official Westfields in London: Westfield London (Shepherd’s Bush) and Westfield Stratford City. That’s it. Not three, not four.

Still, if you ask a taxi driver in Croydon, they might swear the third one is “coming soon.” Bless their hearts. It’s not.

Why Does This Matter, Anyway?

Because next time you’re planning a shopping trip, you need to know which one to avoid. Or which one to tackle. Both are massive. Both will suck your wallet dry.

My advice? Go to Shepherd’s Bush if you want high-end luxury and a Primark. Go to Stratford if you want to combine shopping with a trip to the Olympic Park or West Ham United’s stadium. Just don’t go to Croydon expecting a Westfield. You’ll only break your heart—and your phone’s maps app.

And hey, if someone tells you there’s a Westfield in Brixton or Camden? Laugh. Then buy them a coffee. They need the caffeine to wake up from that dream.