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Living and renting in London provides you with a vast amount of things to see and do. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down and cherry picked the ten best things to do in Paddington. This exciting area is full of history. So whether you want to explore Little Venice or visit Alexander Flemming’s laboratory, here are the best things to do in Paddington.
A visit to Paddington isn’t complete without scouting out Paddington Bear. Inside the impressive Paddington station, over on Platform one you’ll find a bronze sculpture of Paddington Bear. You can have your photo taken with the bear, but be prepared to wait a little while as there is often a que.
If you want to sit and watch the world go by, head to Sheldon Square. It’s home to a public amphitheatre that’s surrounded by restaurants and cafes. You’ll also find sporting events and films shown on a big screen as well as ping pong tables. Every other Wednesday there’s a street food market with a number of different food vendors for you to choose from.
One of our favourite things to do in Paddington is to wander around Little Venice. If you walk along the canal, you’ll arrive in the Little Venice basin. The area is thought to have been given its name by poet Robert Browning who returned to live in the area from Italy after spending time in Venice. Head to Rembrandt Gardens, which is alongside the canal to sit and watch the boats come by.
Just a few minutes walk away from Paddington Station you’ll find Kensington Gardens. This is one of London’s most beautiful parks, with 265 acres of greenspace, formal gardens and impressive water features. You’ll find sunken gardens beside Kensington Palace, enclosed by a shady walkway of rose covered arches and hedges. There’s also Round Pond, which is home to geese, ducks and swans who are more than happy to be fed.
Kensington Gardens connects seamlessly with Hyde Park, which is considered to be London’s beating heart. You’ll find rallies and protests, as well as summertime concerts and the Winter Wonderland funfair. Hyde Park also offers a huge green expanse to jog in, ride bikes, rollerblade, swim in the Serpentine, and simply relax on the grass.
To discover more of London’s best parks and green spaces, check out our article here.
If you’re looking for free things to do in Paddington, why not check out the Paddington Public Art Trail. Bridges, bronzes, busts and bears complete the trail across Paddington, in the form of public works of art. The trail starts at Unknown Soldier in Paddington Station, and includes the art collection of St Mary’s Hospital, local and national heroes, the story behind the bridges at Paddington Basin and the latest addition, Message from an Unseen World.
If you want to discover more of the best free things to do in London, check out our blog post here.
Located right on the water’s edge, Merchant Square holds host to a number of markets, street performers, canal side restaurants and seasonal events. Spend a day dining by the water and listening to live music. Alternatively, enjoy street food on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Merchant Square Market. The square is also home to a water maze, an interactive water feature which seemingly entraps you between its jets.
If you’re looking for educational things to do in Paddington, the Alexander Fleming Museum should be on your list. Within the museum you can view Fleming’s laboratory which has been restored to its 1928 condition. You can also discover the story of Fleming and the discovery and development of penicillin through displays and video.
For a bite to eat, we recommend The Summerhouse. This attractive restaurant is located right on the side of the canal and serves delicious seafood. They’re open all year round, with a terrace that can be covered in case of rain, so you can enjoy your meal whatever the weather. If you consider yourself a foodie, this is one of the top things to do in Paddington.
What better way to explore Paddington than by taking to its waterway! There are plenty of places to rent boats, canoes and paddle boards. There are also a number of boats that offer guided tours where you can learn about the history of the area. A number of the boats also have outdoor picnic tables, so you can dine in style as you float down Little Venice.
If you want to know what it’s like to live in Paddington, check out our neighbourhood guide to find out all the spots to go, transport links and safety ratings.
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