The charming borough of Paddington allows visitors to get away from the standard tourist trail, while also staying close to some of London's most popular attractions. Paddington's excellent transport connections make it a very convenient base and the streets are a wonderful celebration of Georgian and Victorian architecture.
Iconic townhouses fill Paddington, their exteriors giving off an atmosphere of grandeur. Perhaps if they were anywhere else in England these townhouses would be lauded as important attractions. Yet they're blissfully quiet as the borough is situated away from the main tourists crowds, so wandering through Paddington gives an insight into untouched old-world London.
Paddington has a handful of hidden gems, like art galleries hidden down side streets and the historical homes of former London residents. There's also a vibrant cafe and restaurant culture that makes Paddington one of the best places to dine out in London.
The biggest advantage to the borough is the easy walking access to nearby attractions, which include Oxford Street, Selfridges, Hyde Park, the British Museum, Madame Tussauds, Marble Arch, and the Royal Academy of Arts.
Paddington has some of London's best transport connections. London Paddington Railway Station is the main London terminus for rail services to anywhere in the West of England. London Heathrow rail services terminate here. Paddington Station is also on four London Underground lines, allowing direct access to all sides of the city.
Fictional children's book character Paddington Bear hails from deepest darkest Peru. However, the author Michael Bond based the character on a lone teddy bear found in a London store near Paddington Station.