Paddington Overview
Image courtesy of Lewis Clarke
The area of Paddington rarely gets much attention as a residential zone, largely due to the fact that it is usual eclipsed by both Paddington Station, and a famous fictional Peruvian bear named after said transport hub.
However, in recent years the area is starting to gain attention due to investment in the area for more than a decade. It is now a thriving hub of restaurants, shops and green spaces just a short walk from central London and the open expanse of Hyde Park where plenty of young professionals and families reside.
Travel information
Paddington is one of the main hubs of transport in London. Paddington station is both a National Rail and London Underground station allowing you to travel to many places in and outside of London. The underground lines which Paddington serves are the Bakerloo, Circle and District lines which can take you to places such as Baker Street, Earl’s Court, Oxford Circus. Paddington station also serves the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines which take you to locations such as Shepherd’s Bush, Baker Street and King’s Cross St Pancras.
Paddington also has a number of buses that caters to the area in the day and night time. Some of these bus routes include the numbers 23, 36 and the N27. These bus routes can take you to places such as Westbourne Park, Queen’s Park and Camden Town.
History
Image courtesy of Ben Brooksbank
The earliest mention of Paddington, historically a part of Middlesex, appears in documentation of purported 10th-century land grants to the monks of Westminster by Edgar the Peaceful as confirmed by Archbishop Dunstan. However the origin of the documents is much later and likely to have been forged after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
It’s been speculated that a Saxon settlement was situated around the intersection of the northern and western Roman roads, conforming with the Edgware Road (Watling Street) and the Harrow and Uxbridge Roads. A 1100s document which is more reliable was cited by the cleric Isaac Maddox (1697–1759) establishes that part of the land was held by brothers “Richard and William de Padinton”.
In the later years of the Elizabethan and early Stuart era, the rectory, manor and associated estate houses were occupied by the Small family. Nicholas Small was a clothworker who was well connected enough to have Holbein paint a portrait of his wife, Jane Small. Nicholas died in 1565 and his wife married again, to Nicholas Parkinson of Paddington who became master of the Clothworkers’ Company. Jane Small continued to live in Paddington after her second husband’s death, and her manor house was large enough to have been let to Sir John Popham, the attorney general, in the 1580s.
When the population in the area grew during the 1600s, Paddington’s ancient Hundred of Ossulstone was split into divisions; Holborn Division replaced the hundred for most administrative purposes. By 1773, a contemporary historian said “London may now be said to include two cities, one borough and forty six ancient villages and among them was Paddington and [adjoining] Marylebone.
Roman roads shaped the parish’s northeastern and southern boundaries from Marble Arch: Watling Street (later Edgware Road) and; Uxbridge road. They were toll roads in much of the 1700s, before and after the dismantling of the permanent Tyburn gallows “tree” at their junction in 1759 a junction now known as Marble Arch. By 1801, the area saw the start-point of an improved Harrow Road and an arm of the Grand Junction Canal (Grand Union Canal); these remain.
Local attractions
From boat trips through Regent’s Canal to watching a concert at Royal Albert Hall, Paddington is filled with so many amazing things to do, you should never be bored!
Little Venice Boat Trip
Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas
Not too far away from Paddington Station, you will find Little Venice which is on Regent’s Canal and the wonderful thing about Little Venice is you can have a boat trip down the canal!
For more information on how to go on this boat trip, click here
Victoria and Albert Museum
Image courtesy of Rept0n1x
Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the world best museums for art and design. It has an amazing and diverse collection which explores historical and contemporary art and design and includes works of art from cultures around the world.
For more information, click here
Royal Albert Hall
Image courtesy of Diliff
Royal Albert Hall is one of the United Kingdom’s most treasured and distinctive concert halls. Since its opening in 1871, Royal Albert Hall has had the world’s leading artists from many performance genre appearing on its stage! It is the venue for a lot of the most famous events in British culture, including the Proms concerts which have been held every summer since 1941.
It is also the host to more than 390 shows in the main auditorium annually, including classical, rock and pop concerts, ballet, opera, film screenings with live orchestral accompaniment, sports, awards ceremonies, school and community events, and charity performances and banquets. An additional 400 events are held each year in the non-auditorium spaces.
For more information, click here
The Shard
Image courtesy of Jorge Franganillo
The Shard is the tallest building in all of Western Europe and is London’s newest landmark and has become one of London’s top visitor attractions. At almost twice the high of any other viewing platform in London, it offers visitors spectacular 360 degree views over the UK’s capital for up to 40 miles (60 km).
For more information, click here
Accommodation
Paddington Residence – Click Here
This stylish budget residence is nestled in the shadow of London Paddington Station, close to a wide range of popular bars, restaurants and cafes. Within walking distance, you will find London Paddington, Royal Oak, Queensway and Bayswater stations (all Zone 1) as well as regular bus routes providing great access to all of central London and beyond.
The accommodation is a cross between a student residence and a high-end hostel and was completely refurbished in late 2018 through 2019. This means that it is able to offer simple stylish living, in one of London’s most expensive areas at an affordable price.
