Top 10 things to do and see in Paddington, London 

Paddington, London is one of the best neighborhoods where you can go to enjoy the rare sunny day off of work! With plenty of outdoor spaces, cultural attractions, bustling open squares, eclectic restaurants, vibrant cafes, antique stores, and much more, you will never run out of things to do in this aesthetic and lively neighborhood. Do you want to look for a quiet square where you can get some work done and sit outside and read? Do you want to find the best Japanese food cafe where you can get mouth-watering sushi? Do you like having the perfect outdoor paint on a rooftop while the summer sun is shining down? If any of these sound attractive to you, then Paddington is the place to be. 

Not to mention, Paddington is easy to get to – if you are coming from the center of London, you’re basically already there. If you are coming to Paddington from outside the capital of England, then you can take trains every 20-30 minutes from the big stations in the country, such as Bath, Exeter, or Oxford. 

The Summerhouse


 

New England clam chowder – By Jon SullivanThe original uploader was Y6y6y6 at English Wikipedia. – http://pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?pg=8538Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2171739

If you are looking for the perfect outdoor dining spot during a sunny August day in London, then head to the Summer House. This little restaurant that is perfectly positioned on the neighboring canal is the ideal spot for a quick bite to eat, cool pint, or traditional pub food. Some of the menu staples that you can find at this time of year are the New England clam chowder as a starter, crispy calamari to split with the table, Mediterranean king prawns during a warm day, plant-based steak, IPA battered haddock, venison haunch steak, and a Vegan chocolate mousse with orange peel to top off the mouthwatering selection! And did we mention you can wash it all down with a strong and tasty Jerry’s Yard Tea? This refreshing drink is perfect for a summer day off of work, made with Sailor Jerry rum, iced tea, and sweet lemonade!

Heatherwick’s Rolling Bridge

The Rolling Bridge at paddington – By Loz Pycock – Flickr: ‘The Rolling Bridge’ by Thomas Heatherwick, Paddington Basin, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24700377

This structural phenomenon and architectural masterpiece is one of the coolest things you can see in the entire city of London. Known as a movable bridge, this bridge is a functional drawbridge that is positioned outside of the Paddington Basin. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick Studios, this 12-meter bridge can be moved, collapsed, and altered to accommodate passing boats! Curious what it looks like when it unfolds? Check out the operation every Wednesday and Friday at 12pm!

Sheldon Square

Sheldon Square – By Le Deluge – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11915628

Sheldon Square is an outdoor area that contains shops, movie cinemas, restaurants, and much more! This public space and shopping megalith combines outdoor seating areas with indoor entertainment venues, creating a massive development area that is right near the Paddington Station. Looking to go shopping for a souvenir? Looking to sit outside and enjoy people watching? If so, head to Paddington Waterside and sit in Sheldon Square for an afternoon!  

Little Venice

Little Venice March – By Matthias v.d. Elbe – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56692256

The intertwining canal, filled with houseboats and rowboats, is called Little Venice. Located just north of the Paddington neighborhood in London, Little Venice is the perfect place to stroll along the waterside during a warm day. You can check out the bordering house boats, wander into one of the nearby pubs, and check out the eccentric shops and street vendors that line the sides of the canals. While you’re in Little Venice, consider taking a canal cruise or waterbus to see more than you would on foot! 

Puppet Theatre Barge

Theatre Islington – By John Salmon, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67021224

Are you up for something different this afternoon? If so, head to the Puppet Theatre Barge! This is the only floating puppet theatre in the entire United Kingdom– so you are seeing something unique and interesting that you would not find anywhere else in the entire country! With over 40- years of putting on shows, you can enjoy live performances and entertainment that is sure to keep you talking long after your trip is over. 

Paddle boat along the canals

Paddington Basin – By Bjenks – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4295862

If you are up for something active during your action, then why not paddleboard down the numerous canals? Instead of walking along the sides, test your luck at balancing in the water. You can either try stand up paddleboarding, akay kgin, or canoeing down the center of the canals. Make sure you watch out for any ducks, swans, or nearby swimmers in the canal! 

Zizzi Paddington 

Margherita pizza – By Valerio Capello at English Wikipedia – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=372337

Have you been craving a great slice of Italian pizza while walking around the busy streets of London? If so, head to Zizzi in Paddington! This Italian-focused place is the ideal location for you to stop to get a hearty lunch or filling dinner after a full day of exploring. With Italian classics like garlic bread, calamari, mushroom brindisi, massive pizzas, king prawn linguine, spaghetti bolognese, ravioli, chicken thigh calabrese, pan-seared salmon, and tiramisu for dessert! 

Head to Angelus Restaurant

Organic vegetables – By Nsorensen at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Olybrius using CommonsHelper., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12663722

If you are looking for a real West London experience, then head to Angelus in Paddington. Known for their fresh food, farm-to-table ideas, and high-quality and fresh food at all times of the day, you can head here for a filling breakfast or locally sourced lunch. Some of the best a la cart items that you can get here are the pan fried snails to start, duck liver creme brulee to share with the table, beef stroganoff for a hearty lunch, salmon aux amandes for a healthy dinner, and tarte tatin for dessert! 

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