NW2 Cricklewood: why this London postcode has the number 2

First in the alphabet, before Hampstead

Cricklewood is NW2 because of the alphabet. NW1 is the North Western district office, and in the Post Office's list of March 1917 the offices after it follow by name: Cricklewood comes first, before Hampstead (NW3).

See NW2 on the map