   Paddington
 
When you think of Paddington two things probably come to mind, the famous station and its very own mascot Paddington Bear! However, there’s a bit more to the area than a train terminal and a popular kids’ character… it’s an up and coming district in it’s own right with a little bit of everything. Paddington is an area of west London, situated north of Hyde Park and to the west of Marylebone. Paddington Station provides services on the Circle, District, Bakerloo and Hammersmith & City underground lines, putting the entire capital within easy reach. Paddington Station also offers main line services and the Heathrow Express, which reaches the airport in just fifteen minutes. West End shops, nightlife and theatres are moments away. Paddington is just a short stroll away from the peace and tranquillity of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The shops of Oxford Street, Marble Arch and the famous Portobello Market are also within easy reach. Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and Big Ben are only a few Tube stops away. In nearby Hyde Park you can rent a boat on the Serpentine, ride horses along Rotten Row, listen to music played in the bandstand or people speaking at Speakers Corner. And you can feed the ducks, take the dog for a walk, eat lunch or stop for tea, or simply promenade around - all very civilized. Paddington was formerly a metropolitan borough of itself, but was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965. The earliest extant reference to Paddington is in the year 1056. Three important landmarks of the district are Padddington Station, designed by the celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1847; St Mary’s Hospital and Paddington Green police station (the most important high-security police station in the United Kingdom). Paddington Station was built as the terminus of the Great Western Railway in 1850 - 54. Children all over the world know the name of the station through the famous 'Paddington Bear' created by Michael Bond. An ambitious £63 million overhaul has recently given Paddington Station a new lease of life. The centrepiece of this scheme is 'The Lawn', an up-market glass and steel area with cafés, shops and airline check-ins desks for passengers using the Heathrow Express. The Paddington Canal to Uxbridge, built 1795-1801, was linked in 1805 with the Grand Union Canal, and finally extended to the Regent's Canal, forming a link with the River Thames at Limehouse. The Shillibeer omnibus service from Paddington Green was opened in 1829. The local area is made up of thriving businesses, charming Victorian residential streets and sparkling new shopping complexes, not to mention excellent pubs and restaurants. It has a thriving new development called Paddington Waterside which is a self contained housing, business and leisure district with lovely modern walkways, towpaths and barges extending across the Thames waters. A stroll to the Edgware Road area will really add a bit of cultural flavour to your stay… there are plenty of restaurants and bars down here with a succinctly Eastern leaning, along with the curious Shisha cafés where you can relax with a flavoured hooka pipe and a mint tea amidst the cosy ambience. Of course if you want a really big night out you can jump on the Bakerloo Line (Brown) from Paddington Station and hit Oxford Street or Piccadilly Circus, it won’t take longer than 10 minutes and you’ll find plenty of places to drink round here, not to mention an excellent assortment of shops. The area is surrounded by some of London’s most popular spots such as Notting Hill, Kensington, Mayfair, Soho, Hyde Park and Westminster, all within walking distance. Such an excellent location makes it an ideal vantage point for tourists who want to be next to the best of what London has to offer… NEARBY SIGHTS & PLACES OF INTEREST Cleveland Square and Gardens -- This prestigious block and its gardens are the location of yearly fireworks night, summer parties, movie shoots and a stately ambiance. . The Lancasters (Hyde Park) -- Previously a hotel, this fabulous new luxurious residential development is set to lift the profile of the area, in style, value and occupancy. The Italian Garden and The Fountains -- The spectacular fountains, sculptures and the overall general arrangement make this a pleasant and well visited area of Kensington Gardens at the entrance opposite Lancaster Gate Underground. Bayswater Road and the Art Market -- For nearly 50 years this transport artery opens up every Sunday to over 250 artists and craftsmen with their original works of art. Start at Queensway and head down to Lancaster Gate and beyond. Paddington Station -- Isambard Kingdom Brunel's great creation of the mid 1800s, now one of London's key transport hubs for services to the west and Heathrow. St Mary's Hospital (and Fleming Museum) -- Visitors can see Fleming's laboratory restored to its 1928 condition, and otherwise walk around one of the countries leading academic research centres, and birthplace to many over the years, including the Royals. Queensway -- Eclectic, yet increasingly gentrified, shopping street home to some of London's best Chinese Restaurants, and a variety of retail and dining. Whiteleys -- William Whiteley's famous shopping centre, now brought into the modern age and increasingly moving up market. Pleasant shopping and dining experience. Craven Road, Hill and Terrace -- Nearby clustering of retail, restaurants and assortments of services at your disposal. Craven Hill has many fine villas, alas mostly infilled to the sides to make use of valuable real estate. Leinster Terrace, Queens Gardens, Chillworth Street and nearby Mews -- The local streets reveal the historic nature of the area, many buildings once home to stately characters, businesses or institutions, but largely now either housing or hotels. Westbourne Grove -- One of London's most well known and visited shopping streets, stretching from the northern end of Queensway down through Chepstow Corner, Notting Hill and ultimately finishing at Portobello Road. Take the time on foot to stroll, shop and dine. Portobello Road -- Home to the famously weekly markets, full of antiques, works of art and bric-a-brac, leading down to fruit, veg and daily essentials. Also lined with funky restaurants and shops, this is certainly one of the most heavily visited areas within London. Walk down via Westbourne Grove. Connaught Village -- A quaint and pleasant "village" in the heart of the city reminiscent of an older age with its boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Be sure to walk there via. Westbourne Terrace, Bathurst Street and Hyde Park Square to nose around expensive yet obscure inner city living. Paddington Basin -- This large redevelopment to the rear of Paddington Station has revitalised the area, and is worth a stroll, shop and dine, particularly on the way through to Little Venice. Walk down Eastbourne Terrace, and turn in to the left on Bishops Bridge. Little Venice -- The intersection of the canals at Warwick Crescent is one of inner London's most pleasant areas. From here, take a boat to Regents Park and Camden, head down to the Formosa Dining Room at Warwick Avenue, and admire the grand properties. Walk through via. Paddington Basin. Edgware Road -- Colourful, rough, and Middle Eastern in flavour, another of London's most well known and trafficed streets. Not really worth a stroll along, but certainly worth a drive through to understand the flavour of West London. Marble Arch -- Home to Speakers' Corner, a marble monument, and once the location of the notorious Tyburn gallows, but now a notorious traffic intersection. Worth a view when approached from Hyde Park. Hyde Park -- To the east of West Carriage drive, this park is certainly worth a day to stroll and dine, and if the weather is great, try taking out a boat onto the Serpentine. Don't miss the Diana Fountain, Speakers' Corner and Rotten Row. Just a short walk. Kensington Gardens -- To the west of West Carriage drive, start from Lancaster Gate with the Italian Gardens, The Fountains, then the Round Pond, Diana's Playground, Kensington Palace, The Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Gallery. Just a short walk.  |
