Paddington
The Area
Modern Paddington, within the City of Westminster, makes a highly attractive proposition for those contemplating a property search of the West End of London. Our dedicated Recoco buying agents will be delighted to help property buyers discover this recently revived area.
Recoco property finders will be able to pinpoint suitable accommodation in the numerous well-designed modern multi-use developments on the wharves. Ask your Recoco buying agent about further planned regeneration.
History
Historically, Paddington was in Middlesex; it became part of the City of Westminster in 1965. Documents suggest brothers Richard and William de Paddington owned part of the area in the 12th century. Three centuries later, the clothworker family of Small, or Smale, became owners of the manor and several other important buildings.
Toll roads surrounded the area in the 18th century. What is now Marble Arch was the site of the notorious Tyburn gallows, where many criminals were hanged.
After World War II, road improvements meant the amount of freight carried by rail and water decreased. Much of what is now the Grand Union Canal area lay derelict for decades until the Paddington Waterside Partnership was formed in 1998 and the regeneration began.
Travel
Paddington Station incorporates two London Underground stations. Praed Street links to Bakerloo, Circle and District lines; Circle and Hammersmith & City lines run via the station at Paddington Basin. For the Central line, head to nearby Lancaster Gate station.
Trains run towards Wales, the West Midlands, and the West Country. Major destinations include Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Oxford, Penzance, Plymouth, and Worcester as well as Slough, Maidenhead, Reading, West London and Berkshire. The Heathrow Express runs directly to the airport; other TfL services stop at Ealing Broadway. Recoco property finders will be able to bring you up to speed with Crossrail progress.
Several regular 24-hour buses serve Paddington station, including night buses, and road links are good. The A40, for example, heads towards Acton, White City and the M40 for Birmingham and Oxford. The A5 travels towards Marble Arch and Park Lane in the south, and Edgware, Hendon, Kilburn, and the M1 north. Many other major routes run through the area.
Superhighway 3 (CS3) and Quietway 2 (Q2) cycle paths run through Paddington, while Santander has several bicycle docks nearby. The shared-use Grand Union Canal towpath leads straight to Little Venice, Westbourne Park, Willesden, and, finally, Hayes. Regent’s Canal towpath runs from Little Venice to Lisson Grove. For a break from your property search, head for the Floating Pocket Park, Heatherwicks Rolling Bridge, and the Merchant Square Fan Bridge to see innovation in action.
Leisure and Events
The diversity of regular and ad-hoc events in Paddington will appeal to many property buyers. There is always a quirky event taking place somewhere, from two-hour coffee masterclasses, fitness activities, guided towpath walks, to Latin nights and seasonal events. Look out for Santa at Christmas and chocolate pop up shops in the summer.
Education
For property buyers requiring access to good educational options, Recoco buying agents will confirm a mix of schools, including CofE and Roman Catholic maintained, independent and voluntary aided establishments for primary or junior education, or both. Secondary schools include Westminster College. Nearby Imperial College London belongs to the Russell Group of Universities and is a world leader in many areas, particularly medicine.
Celebrity Connections
Notable historical figures include actress Sarah Siddons and Maths genius Alan Turing. Robert Baden-Powell and his sister Agnes, who between them founded the Scout movements, have links to Paddington, while celebrated 19th-century civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed the railway station.
In 1928, Sir Alexander Fleming first isolated penicillin at St Mary’s Hospital in Praed Street, changing medicine forever. His workspace, restored to its 1928 conditions, can be seen at the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum – ask your Recoco property finder for more information.
Other celebrities include athlete Kriss Akabusi, professional footballers Joe Cole and Les Ferdinand; politicians Alan Johnson and George Osborne; and actors Joan Collins, Patrick Macnee, and Emma Thompson.
And while he may be fictional, the most endearing celebrity of all has to be accident-prone but lovable Paddington Bear, immortalised in bronze in the railway station.
Foodies’ Corner
Those sampling the local culinary delights to help fuel their property search will be spoilt for choice. Options include American, Arabic, Asian fusion, English gastropubs, traditional pubs and wine bars, French, Greek, Lebanese, Mediterranean, Moroccan, pan-European, Steakhouse, and Thai.
Fun Fact
We know him as Paddington, but the Peruvian name of everyone’s favourite spectacled Bear is, in fact, Pastuso. (His uncle is called Pastuzo.)