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Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > England > London > London/Paddington-Maida Vale

Location of the Paddington-Maida Vale area in London

Paddington-Maida Vale is a district of northwest central London, around the vast Paddington Station of Paddington Bear fame. This inner London district is somewhat bereft of attractions but it does have a large range of budget and mid-priced accommodation. That, combined with the convenient central London location and transport links, makes it a popular area with visitors.

Understand

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Paddington and the areas between it and Hyde Park - Bayswater and Lancaster Gate - consist largely of Victorian houses, some of them rather grand, which have been converted into either small residential flats or hotels. Maida Vale to the north is similar but almost entirely residential and is most notable for canalside streets and the houseboats of Little Venice. St John's Wood is distinctly upscale and leafy and includes the home of world cricket at Lord's and some of the most sought-after real estate in London.

The area has a number of connections to music. The BBC Maida Vale studios have been used for recording live music since 1934 including the John Peel Sessions. Abbey Road Studios, and the famous pedestrian crossing pictured in the Beatles' Abbey Road album are in St John's Wood.

Get in

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By tube

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Map
Map of London/Paddington-Maida Vale (Edit GPX)

The district is served by the following tube stations, in Zones 1 or 2.

Paddington is on the Wimbledon–Edgware Road branch of the District line – so you may need to change at Earl's Court:

By train

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Paddington station

1 Paddington station (PAD, QQP  IATA), Praed St, W2 1HQ. The London terminal for Great Western Rail trains from the cities in the southwest of the country, as well as services to Heathrow Airport and the Elizabeth line (Crossrail). Paddington station itself is a minor tourist attraction that is notable for offering the first London Underground service to Farringdon in 1863 and for Michael Bond's eponymous Paddington Bear franchise. While waiting for a train, listen to the Isembard Kingdom Brunel statue by scanning the QR code. London Paddington station (Q214788) on Wikidata London Paddington station on Wikipedia (updated Apr 2022)

London Paddington is served by:

2 London Marylebone station, London/Mayfair-Marylebone (Tube: Marylebone  BAK ). A 25-minute walk or a short Tube ride away from London Paddington. London Marylebone is a genuine Victorian train station which is architecturally impressive despite its small size. The terminus for Chiltern Railways trains to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Also, the nearby Baker Street  BAK  CIR  H&C  MET  station is a major interchange on the London Underground. Marylebone station (Q649419) on Wikidata Marylebone station on Wikipedia (updated Jan 2024)

By bus

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Various bus routes go to and through Paddington. Visit the Transport for London website for details. Use of a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus is also a possibility.

  • 7 bus (Brunel Road to Oxford Circus). N7: 00:44am–5:45am. via East Acton, Ladbroke Grove, London Paddington, Marble Arch, Selfridges. London Buses route 7 (Q6670132) on Wikidata London Buses route 7 on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2023)
  • 23 bus (Great Western Road to Aldwych / Drury Lane). via Ladbroke Grove, Queensway, London Paddington, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Jermyn Street, Trafalgar Square, London Charing Cross and Covent Garden. London Buses route 23 (Q6670010) on Wikidata London Buses route 23 on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2023)
  • 27 bus (Hammersmith to Camden Market). via The Design Museum, High Street Kensington, Notting Hill Gate, Queensway, London Paddington, Edgware Road station, Baker Street station, Regents Park, Camden High Street, Camden Town station. London Buses route 27 (Q6670043) on Wikidata London Buses route 27 on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2023)

By boat

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A Waterbus runs from Camden Lock through the Regent's canal to Browning's Pool, Little Venice.

By bicycle

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See also: Cycling in London

For bicycles, there is a traffic-free local cycle route tracks alongside the Grand Union Canal from around Northolt to Paddington Basin. The route is not part of the national cycle network.

Statue of Paddington Bear, Paddington Station

While there is not a great deal to see in the way of traditional visitor attractions, Paddington makes a convenient base for exploring other parts of the city.

  • 1 Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum, St. Mary's Hospital, Praed St, W2 1NY, ☏ +44 20 7886-6528. M-Th 10AM-1PM. £2. St Mary's Hospital (Q3495342) on Wikidata St Mary's Hospital, London on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Abbey Road Studios, 3 Abbey Rd, St. John's Wood, NW8 9AY (tube: St John's Wood  JUB ). No tours. World-renowned studios where many famous musicians and groups, most notably The Beatles, recorded music. The equally famous zebra crossing, immortalized on the cover of the Beatles' album Abbey Road, is right in front. In the vicinity, in Cavendish Avenue, is a home that used to be owned by Sir Paul McCartney. Abbey Road Studios (Q209651) on Wikidata Abbey Road Studios on Wikipedia 
  • 3 Little Venice. A canal basin where the Regent's Canal meets the Grand Union, just a few minutes walk from Paddington Station. Little Venice (Q2916164) on Wikidata Little Venice on Wikipedia 
A packed Lord's, one of the great sights in English sport
  • 1 Lord's Cricket Ground, Wellington Rd, NW8 8QN (tube: St John's Wood  JUB ). The home of cricket, Lord's usually hosts two international five-day Test matches each summer (which sell out), as well as limited-overs One Day International and Twenty20 cricket. It's the usual stadium for Middlesex County Cricket Club, who were relegated in 2023 and now play in Division Two of the County Championship - these games last 3-4 days. Also here are London Spirit men's and women's teams playing in The Hundred short game. Lord's houses the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum, with a vast collection of cricket memorabilia - tours are usually available daily except on match days. Lord's (Q331613) on Wikidata Lord's on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2023)
  • 2 Queens Ice and Bowl, 17 Queensway, W2 4QP (tube: Bayswater  CIR  DIS  or Queensway  CEN ), ☏ +44 20 7229-0172. Queens is an entertainment centre with 50,000 sq ft of activities including ice skating, 12 lanes of ten pin bowling, karaoke rooms, bar, food and video games. 
  • 3 London Underground Tours (tube: Baker Street  CIR  H&C  MET  JUB  BAK ), ☏ +44 20 7183-1055, +44 7869 678717 (mobile). W, Th, F, Sa (and bank holidays): 11AM. Guided tours that cover the tube's 150-year-history in two hours, including its construction, design and social history. Meet at the Sherlock Holmes Statue. Adult: £20, Child (under age 12): £12, Senior (60+): £12. 
  • 4 Go Boat, Merchant Square, Paddington, London, W2 1JZ (on the north side of Paddington Station 50 m west of the rolling bridge), . 8-person boat hire for self-drive journeys around London canals. £55. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 5 Paddington Central (Sheldon Square), 1A Sheldon Square, W2 6PY (Paddington  BAK  CIR  DIS  H&C  ELI  National Rail), . Checkout constantly changing events at the Paddington Central development with the amphitheatre in Sheldon Square, or visit for the food, shopping and atmosphere. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 6 Puppet Theatre Barge, ☏ +44 20 7249-6876, . A floating puppet theatre on a converted barge. Varied schedule of performances. (updated Feb 2020)
  • 1 Paddington Store (Paddington Bear Store), The Lawn at Paddington Station, W2 1RH, ☏ +44 20 7402-5209. M–F 8AM–9PM, Sa 9AM–9PM, Su & holidays 9AM–7PM. The official store of Michael Bond's famous Paddington Bear with merchandise including books, DVDs, souvenirs and of course, marmalade. (updated May 2021)

Good value eats abound in this area. The Bayswater/Queensway area has many excellent Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese options. Edgware Rd is another good bet for Middle Eastern and the area around Paddington Station itself is a hive of small cafes. Warwick Avenue and Maida Vale are home to some good, stylish mid-market restaurants.

Budget

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Near Paddington station

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  • 1 Raffles, Paddington Dental Practice, 13 Craven Rd, ☏ +44 20 7723-3159. (updated May 2022)
  • 2 Le Gourmet, 157 Praed St. Lebanese (updated May 2022)
  • 3 La Tazza Cafe, 143 Praed St, W2 1RL, ☏ +44 20 7706-3006. (updated May 2022)
  • 4 Paramount Lebanese Kitchen Paddington, 26 London St. (updated May 2022)
  • 5 Wasabi, Unit 12, Paddington Station, Bridge Street. (updated May 2022)
  • 6 Sandro Sandwich Bar, 22 Spring St. (updated May 2022)
  • 7 Micky's Fish & Chips, 29 Norfolk Pl, W2 1QH, ☏ +44 20 7723-2384. (updated May 2022)

Around Little Venice

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Bayswater

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  • 10 Taza Takeaway Kebab House, 35A Queensway. (updated May 2022)
  • 11 Lo Spuntino, 128 Bayswater Rd. (updated May 2022)
  • 12 Malaysia Hall Canteen, 34 Queensborough Terrace. Temporarily closed as of May 2022 (updated May 2022)
  • 13 Lokkanta, 31 Westbourne Grove. Turkish (updated May 2022)

Along Edgware Road

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  • 14 Lahore Biryani, Edgware Road. A Pakistani restaurant (updated May 2022)
  • 15 Micky's, 332 Edgware Rd. (updated May 2022)
  • 16 HAWLER Restaurant, 355 Edgware Rd. (updated May 2022)
  • 17 Baraka Piri Piri, 357 Edgware Rd. (updated May 2022)
  • 18 Darna Restaurant, 436 Edgware Rd. Hookah Bar (updated May 2022)
  • 19 Azmar, 442a Edgware Rd. Middle-Eastern cuisine (updated May 2022)

Mid-range

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  • 20 Kalamaras, 66 Inverness Mews, W2 3JQ (tube: Bayswater  CIR  DIS ), ☏ +44 871 3327813. Temporarily closed as of May 2022. Markets itself as London's oldest Greek restaurant. Not sure if that is true but it has been around a long time in this quiet mews in Bayswater and is a favourite with local residents. Counts several celebs amongst its regular clientele. Try the taramasalata and keftedes. Mains £10-15. 
  • 21 The Waterway, 54-56 Formosa St, W9 2JU (tube: Warwick Avenue  BAK ), ☏ +44 20 7266-3557, . Stylish bar and restaurant alongside the canal at Little Venice. Has an alfresco dining area right by the water during summer. Mixed European food Mains £15-20. 
  • 22 Il Gusto, 11 Craven Rd, W2 3BP (Paddington  BAK  CIR  DIS  H&C  ELI  National Rail), ☏ +44 20 7402-2111. 8AM-11PM. An inexpensive casual Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza and seafood. Also has an extensive dessert menu. Mains: £7.50-19.50 (Nov 2018). (updated May 2022)
  • 23 Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant, 84 Queensway, W2 3RL (tube: Bayswater  CIR  DIS ), ☏ +44 20 7229-4320. noon-11PM. One of London's most esteemed Chinese restaurants, known internationally for its Cantonese-style roast duck. (updated May 2022)

Splurge

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Drink

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Sleep

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This district has probably the greatest range of budget and mid-price accommodation in central London.

A lot of the hotels here are converted Victorian houses which makes for a charming stay but can also mean dodgy plumbing and poor heating systems. And check if the property has a lift if this is important to you.

A good option for the value-conscious is to check the large range of service apartments available. The standard of accommodation at these is often much better than you would get in an equivalently priced traditional hotel.

Budget

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Hostels

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Hotels

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  • 3 Ascot Hyde Park Hotel, 11 Craven Rd, W2 3BP (Few minutes' walk from Paddington Stn), ☏ +44 20 7402-5447. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Popular budget hotel. Single: £40-100, double: £44-113 (prices fluctuate greatly). 
  • 4 Bluedaws Private Hotel, 133-135 Sussex Gdns, W2 2RX (2 min from Paddington Stn or Hyde Pk), ☏ +44 20 7723-6040, fax: +44 20 7262-8390. Very clean budget hotel. Singles £25, doubles £35, triples £45, including English breakfast. 
  • 5 Mina House Hotel, 21-23 Craven Rd, W2 3BU (Few min walk from Paddington Stn), ☏ +44 20 7723-9276. From £79 per night (free breakfast). 
  • 6 Mitre House Hotel, 178-186 Sussex Gdns, W2 1TU (5 min walk from Paddington Stn), ☏ +44 20 7723-8040, fax: +44 20 7402-0990. Two-star hotel. 
  • 7 Barry House Hyde Park, 12 Sussex Place, Hyde Park, W2 2TP (tube: next to Lancaster Gate  CEN  and Paddington  BAK  CIR  DIS  H&C  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7723-7340, fax: +44 20 7723-9775. from £65. 

Mid-range

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  • 8 Brynteg Hotel, 109 Sussex Gdns, W2 2RU (tube: Paddington  BAK  CIR  DIS  H&C  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7723-6040, fax: +44 20 262 8390, . 3-star bed and breakfast. Well-appointed, modern bedrooms with spotlessly clean and en-suite facilities. Singles £50, doubles £65. 
  • 9 Lancaster Hall Hotel, 35 Craven Terrace, W2 3EL (tube: Lancaster Gate  CEN ), ☏ +44 20 7723-9276. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10:30AM. Small hotel run by the YMCA. Rooms are small and basic, but reasonably priced and comfortable (and with free Wi-Fi). Breakfast is normally served from 7:30-9:30AM (though apparently can be arranged earlier through management the day before) and consists of various breads, jams, hardboiled eggs, cottage cheese, deli meats, yoghurts and breakfast cereals; with a choice of fruit juices and tea or coffee. Not to be confused with the much more expensive Royal Lancaster Hotel. Singles £79, doubles £99 (includes breakfast). (updated Nov 2018)
  • 10 Mercure London Paddington Hotel, 144 Praed St, W2 1HU (tube: Paddington  BAK  CIR  DIS  H&C  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7706-8888, . Good value for the price. The rooms are tiny, but that is where the resemblance to other London hotels ends. The rooms are immaculate, the plumbing is perfect, the decor is beautiful, and the fitness room is brand new. Singles from £70, doubles from £120. 
  • 11 The Pilgrim, 25 London St W2 1HH (next to Mercure), ☏ +44 20 7667-6000. In three Victorian townhouses, reception and service are automated. Comfy place right by the railway station. B&B double £130. (updated Sep 2020)
  • 12 The Westbourne Hyde Park, 51 Gloucester Terrace, W2 3DQ, ☏ +44 20 7402-5077. 
  • 13 Hilton London Hyde Park, 129 Bayswater Road, W2 4RJ (tube: Queensway  CEN ), ☏ +44 20 7221-2217, . Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Opposite Hyde Park, with136 guest rooms, a bar, a restaurant and a meeting room. Hilton London Hyde Park (Q13529180) on Wikidata Hilton London Hyde Park on Wikipedia (updated Mar 2021)

Splurge

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  • 14 Hilton London Paddington, 146 Praed St, W2 1EE (at Paddington Stn), ☏ +44 20 7850-0500, fax: +44 20 7850-0600. Essentially inside Paddington Station. A nice and convenient place to stay, particularly if someone else is picking up the tab. 
  • 15 Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY (tube: Lancaster Gate  CEN ), ☏ +44 20 7262-6737, . Right alongside Hyde Park and many of the rooms have clear views over the park. From about £120. 
  • 16 Hotel Indigo London-Paddington, 16 London St, W2 1HL (tube: Paddington  BAK  CIR  DIS  H&C  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7706-4444, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Close to Paddington Station. From about £130. 
  • 17 Danubius Hotel Regents Park, 18 Lodge Rd, NW8 7JT, ☏ +44 20 7722-7722, fax: +44 20 7483-2408, . Very friendly staff. Spotlessly clean quiet room. Great view of Regents Park. Breakfast is excellent. Service the same. The location is superb, particularly for any cricket fan, as it looks right over Lords cricket ground. £148-198. 
  • 18 Roseate House, 3 Westbourne Terrace W2 3U (tube: Paddington or Lancaster Gate), ☏ +44 20 7479-6600. Chic hotel in a knock-through of three Victorian townhouses. B&B double £200. (updated Sep 2020)
  • 19 Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgware Road, W2 1JU, ☏ +44 20 7402-4141, . Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern 4-star hotel. Amenities include various meeting rooms, a Mediterranean-style restaurant and a contemporary lounge bar. There's also an indoor pool and a gym, along with a steam room and a sauna. Hilton London Metropole (Q5764648) on Wikidata Hilton London Metropole on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2020)

Connect

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Go next

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Routes through Paddington-Maida Vale
North London ← Hammersmith and Fulham ←  W  E  → Mayfair-Marylebone → Bloomsbury
West London ← Notting Hill-North Kensington ←  W  E  → Mayfair-Marylebone → Bloomsbury-Soho
Westminster ← Notting Hill-North Kensington ← main loop ←  S  E  → main loop → Mayfair-Marylebone → Transfer to eastbound trains from Hammersmith
Hammersmith and Fulham ← Notting Hill-North Kensington ← Hammersmith branch ←  W  E  → Hammersmith branch → Mayfair-Marylebone → Bloomsbury-Camden
Wimbledon ← Notting Hill-North Kensington ←  W  E  → Mayfair-Marylebone → END
West London ← Reading branch ←  W  E  → Mayfair-Marylebone → Soho → City of London
Heathrow Airport ← Heathrow branch ←  W  E  → END
Hammersmith and Fulham ← Notting Hill-North Kensington ←  W  E  → Mayfair-Marylebone → Bloomsbury-Camden
North London ← Hampstead ←  N  S  → Mayfair-Marylebone → Westminster


Routes through Paddington-Maida Vale
Watford ← Kilburn ←  NW  SE  → Marble Arch
Hammersmith and Fulham ← North Kensington ←  W  E  → Marylebone → West End
North London ← Hampstead ←  N  S  → Marylebone


This district travel guide to Paddington-Maida Vale is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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