Westbourne Green is an area of Westbourne, London, the centre of the former hamlet of Westbourne, at the north-western corner of the City of Westminster. It is named for its location west of a bourne (small stream). Traditionally a rural area, small-scale building had begun by the 17th century. In the early 19th century much more sustained development occurred as a result of the building of the Grand Union Canal and railways through the area.