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There are so many places to visit and things to see during a trip to London. This can make it challenging to truly experience all the fantastic things that are on offer throughout the vibrant city. So, focusing on just one part of the city is an excellent way to really appreciate and explore it fully. One place to add to your list of must-visit London locations is Paddington. Keep reading to discover all the best places to visit in Paddington, London, during your time there.
Visit the Famous Paddington Station
No visit to Paddington is complete without stopping at Paddington Station. This West London train station not only boasts grand architecture, courtesy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, but is also home to a life-size bronze statue of the famous bear that shares its name with the station.
The statue of Paddington Bear is located on Platform 1, in the exact spot that the Brown family found Paddington in Michael Bond’s ever-popular children’s book.
Grab a Bite to Eat
You’re sure to work up an appetite while exploring Paddington, especially if you decide to travel on foot. Luckily, Paddington is home to an excellent choice of places to eat. You’ll find Italian restaurants near Paddington Station that are easy to reach after visiting the Paddington Bear statue, making them the perfect pit stop on your adventure.
If you’re in search of a snack and are in Paddington on a Tuesday or Thursday, head to Merchant Square for some street food.
Take a Canal Boat Ride
Little Venice is a London gem that’s well worth visiting while you’re in the Paddington area. Here you’ll find plenty of charming cafes and bars to stop and enjoy a drink by the water. But that’s not all, this quirky area is also home to theatre venues, including the Puppet Theatre Barge. Kids will love this unique theatre experience that travels from Little Venice and features lively marionettes.
Once you have finished exploring Little Venice, it’s the perfect starting point to continue your travels beyond Paddington, but with a difference. Instead of taking the tube or a taxi, why not take a narrowboat from Little Venice over to Camden Lock to visit the famous Camden Market, eclectic shops, and enjoy live music aplenty?
Explore Paddington Basin
If you plan to stay on dry land, wandering from Little Venice to Paddington Basin is an ideal way to get some fresh air without leaving central London. You can’t visit Paddington Basin without taking time to see its incredible bridges. The Rolling Bridge and Fan Bridge are both seriously impressive works of engineering, and seeing them open and close is a sight not to be missed.
Beyond Paddington
Once you have finished exploring Paddington, you find yourself within easy reach of a host of London’s best attractions. From Paddington, you can easily head to many of London’s most famous museums in South Kensington, including The Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and the V&A, to continue your London adventure.
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