Consider Paddington and it’s almost certainly that you just conjure up a picture of an lovely brown bear carrying a blue duffel coat and a vibrant pink hat beneath which lurks a marmalade sandwich.
However whereas Paddington Bear may be the obvious identify related to the Paddington neighbourhood, this space in central London has been round since lengthy earlier than the adventurous bear from Peru arrived.
Historical past information present that the Paddington space has been in existence for a whole lot of years and has performed to some key historic occasions.
It was in Paddington the place Queen Victoria arrived on her first prepare journey in 1842 (travelling simply 25 minutes from Slough), and it was right here that Sir Alexander Fleming found Penicillin again in 1928. St Mary’s Hospital, the place Prince William and Harry had been born, together with George, Charlotte and Louis, is situated in Paddington too.
Till 1965, Paddington was a metropolitan borough in its personal proper however at this time it’s a part of Westminster and, in recent times, the realm across the station and the canals has undergone big regeneration.
As we speak, it’s a vibrant and vibrant neighbourhood crammed with enjoyable issues to do numerous tasty locations to eat.
Paddington is situated north-western nook of the centre of London, sandwiched between Hyde Park and Regent’s Park and with the neighbourhoods of Notting Hill and Maida Vale to the west.
In the event you’re seeking to keep close to Paddington then check out our suggestions right here.
If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Paddington then listed below are our high picks.
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Paddington Station
Designed by the celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1847, London Paddington Station is the London terminus of the Nice Western Railway (GWR).
In the event you’ve been to Crystal Palace then the wrought iron and glass roof at Paddington will look acquainted; Brunel was closely influenced by the design of Crystal Palace for the Nice Exhibition in 1851. For a time, his Paddington prepare shed roof was the biggest on the planet.
A life-size statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel sits between Platforms 8 and 9.
As we speak Paddington is a busy station, the sixth busiest within the UK, and it’s additionally the place you catch the Heathrow Categorical to Heathrow Airport from.
However even when you’re not catching a prepare it’s value having a fast go searching. On Platform 1 stands the solitary determine of a World Battle I soldier; the monument is a memorial to the workers of the Nice Western Railway who misplaced their lives throughout the struggle.
Paddington Bear
Britain’s favorite bear has a commemorative plaque and statue on Platform 1 at Paddington Station.
The tales of the adventurous bear from Peru had been created by the late creator Michael Bond who observed a lone teddy bear sitting on a shelf in a store close to the prepare station on Christmas Eve 1956. He purchased the bear for his spouse and was impressed to jot down what has turn out to be one of the crucial beloved kids’s tales of all time, Paddington Bear.
The bronze statue of Paddington Bear sits on Platform 1, virtually precisely the place the Brown household first meet their new Peruvian buddy within the Paddington Bear film. The commemorative plaque particulars Paddington’s look within the books and movies and, close by, is a Paddington-themed e-book bench the place you’ll be able to have your picture snapped.
On the station’s south-eastern finish is the Paddington Bear Store, which shares every thing from homewares and garments to toys, books, baggage tags (embossed with the well-known phrases “please take care of this bear, thanks”) and, after all, Paddington cuddly toys.
Pawprint Path
Paddington Station is the start line for the Pawprint Trail, a enjoyable Paddington-themed path that takes within the a number of the neighbourhood’s greatest sights.
There are literally three trails to select from and every one options one of many Paddington statues from the 2014 assortment that had been positioned across the metropolis.
Journey One takes you alongside the Grand Union Canal and challenges you to discover a blue-flocked Paddington alongside the brightly colored cafe and restaurant barges. The path continues alongside into Paddington Central, Little Venice, previous ZSL London Zoo and onto Camden.
Journey Two invitations households to seek out Brick Bear heading alongside the canal in the wrong way in the direction of Paddington Basin and Journey Three results in Norfolk Sq. Gardens the place you’ll discover Paddingtonscape in the summertime. When you’ve completed this path, head to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens the place you’ll discover the Diana Memorial Playground.
Alexander Fleming Museum
Situated in St. Mary’s Hospital, the Alexander Fleming Museum is devoted to the life and work of the Scottish scientist who found penicillin.
On show is a reconstruction of Sir Alexander Fleming’s laboratory, a few of his private belongings and a video explaining how the scientist’s probability discovery resulted in a lifesaving drug that revolutionised the medical world.
With out giving an excessive amount of away, Fleming had been on vacation and when he returned to his – moderately messy – laboratory, he found {that a} mould referred to as Penicillium notatum had grown on a dish of micro organism he had omitted. Investigating additional, he found that the mould had killed the micro organism. This discovery marked the start of the period of antibiotics.
The museum is open Monday-Thursday, 10:00-13:00.
Little Venice
Little Venice is one among London’s most picturesque neighbourhoods, positioned between Paddington and Maida Vale and crammed with elegant mansions, waterside cafes and pubs and vibrant barges. It’s an ideal place for wandering alongside the canal paths; begin is at Little Venice and stroll alongside beneath Warwick Avenue Bridge in the direction of Camden and the market.
Puppet Theatre Barge
One in all London’s greatest hidden gems is that this pleasant puppet theatre on a barge. Situated in Little Venice, that is the UK’s solely floating theatre puppet and it has been producing family-friendly exhibits and stay music nights for over 30 years.
The theatre can seat over 50 folks and there’s even a small bar serving refreshments throughout the interval. Performances use long-string marionettes and final for simply over an hour.
Examine what’s enjoying through their website.
Service provider Sq. & the Paddington Basin
The Service provider Sq. space of the Paddington Basin was as soon as an uninviting industrial space. As we speak, nevertheless, this can be a full of life waterfront neighbourhood with places of work, residences, retailers, eating places and bars.
Service provider Sq. can be house to the Floating Pocket Park, a 700 sq m of inexperienced area that floats on Paddington Basin. With benches, inexperienced lawns, flowerbeds and even a particular ramp for the geese, the floating park is a superb place to cease for a picnic lunch on sunny days.
Seize a spot with a view of Fan Bridge, that opens up like a conventional Japanese fan. You’ll need to time your go to fastidiously, nevertheless, the Fan Bridge solely lifts on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12pm.
The Rolling Bridge is one other uncommon bridge present in Paddington Basin. For more often than not it’s a easy bridge, offering pedestrians with a crossing over the canal basin. On Fridays at 12pm, nevertheless, the bridge ‘rolls’ on itself to kind an octagon.
Top-of-the-line issues for younger youngsters in Service provider Sq. is the Water Maze, three concentric circles consisting of 320 water jets that burst intermittently into the air. Good for maintaining cool on sunny days.
GoBoat Paddington
Paddington Basin is a superb spot to rent your individual electrical boat and see London from the water. GoBoat London function electrical boats that you could rent for 1, 2 or 3 hours. No licence is required and the boats match as much as 8 folks, together with kids. Route maps are offered too, all you might want to carry with you is a picnic!
The complete route from Paddington Basin runs alongside Regent’s Canal to Little Venice, by way of Maida Hill Tunnel, previous Regents Park and onto London Zoo after which Camden Lock.
Get up Paddleboarding
One other method to take to the water throughout the summer time months is standing on a paddle board. Active360 run paddle boarding actions alongside the canal community together with SUP classes and journeys, SUP tasters and SUP yoga. Additionally they run SUP Pure Historical past Excursions the place you’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the river surroundings in addition to Paddle and Decide classes the place you’ll be able to participate in a river plastic clear up.
Youngsters aged 11 and older are welcome to participate; Active360 run personal household SUP classes or youngsters solely classes.
Pergola Paddington
There are many eating places and cafes within the neighbourhood however for a extremely enjoyable place to seize lunch head to Pergola Paddington, a big, full of life alfresco backyard unfold over two ranges. There are many totally different meals stalls to attempt to these change frequently. On the time of writing, road meals choices included mac and cheese, burgers and fondue! Seize a desk or bench, order on the counter and luxuriate in.
Notice that beneath 18s are welcome till 5pm Sunday to Friday. On Saturdays the venue is for over 18s solely.
Darcie & Could Inexperienced
The proper place for teenagers seeking to snap a viral Instagram shot is that this vibrant barge and good brunch spot on Regents Canal. The Daisy & May Green barge has been coated in bespoke art work by English pop artist Sir Peter Blake (you received’t miss it!) making it a enjoyable vacation spot for a weekend brunch.
The restaurant is a part of the Daisy Inexperienced group that has introduced the Aussie meals and occasional tradition to London.
Paddington Artwork Path
The Paddington Public Artwork Path begins on the Unknown Soldier in Paddington Station and consists of bridges, bronzes busts in addition to a lovable, adventurous bear. There are 22 totally different installations and sculptures, all reflecting the historical past of the Paddington space and the many individuals who helped form it.
Highlights embrace the glass installations set on both aspect of the doorway of the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital by Julian Opie; the 12 metre excessive set up, Basketball by Ron Haselden, which celebrates the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Video games; and the Sustrans’ Portrait Bench sequence’s two-dimensional metal sculptures of native heroes together with celebrated nurse Mary Seacole, code breaker Alan Turing and Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond.
Obtain a replica of the path here.
Church Avenue Market
For a actually genuine London market expertise take a stroll alongside Church Avenue Market, close to to Paddington Basin.
A market has taken place right here for a whole lot of years; in 1830 the coated Portman Market opened promoting vegetable and hay. It was hoped that it might rival Covent Backyard market but it surely by no means actually took off. When the market closed in 1907, stallholders merely moved their wares to the road.
The market runs rom Edgware Highway by way of to Lisson Grove with stalls arrange on either side promoting every thing from fruit, veg and fish to jewelry, garments and leather-based items. It’s a fantastic slice of historical past; a number of the stalls at this time have been handed down by way of generations of the identical household.
Sheldon Sq. Amphitheatre
Within the coronary heart of Paddington Central is the Sheldon Square Amphitheatre, a public area used for stay music, movie screenings and occasions. The amphitheatre is at present beneath going renovations that embrace creating a bigger ‘stage’ space, improved accessibility, and extra timber and inexperienced areas. The area will reopen in 2023 with a calendar of occasions.
