Paddington bear at London's Paddington station

Best things to do in Paddington London

By Ian Packham

Paddington is often thought of as a pocket of north London dominated by its railway station – the arrivals point for the Heathrow Express – and St Mary’s Hospital – the top pick for royals in labor.

But disappear down its neat grid of side streets and you’ll discover a well-to-do neighborhood of charming squares, small cafés and Paddington canal basin. These are just a few of the things to do in Paddington London, with the full range of activities and attractions detailed below.

Relax in a pleasant square

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Once an unpromising piece of real estate between Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Paddington rail station and the traffic jams of Westway, Sheldon Square has been converted into a stylish place to relax alone, with the family or in a group of travel companions.

Taking a modern amphitheater form, its stepped banks are carpeted in grass for impromptu picnics, whilst around it you’ll find a growing selection of more formal places to eat and drink. Sheldon Square is one of the neighborhood’s newest public spaces, but elsewhere there are those that date right back to its Georgian foundations.

One such space is Norfolk Square Gardens. Ringed by three – and some four – star hotels, its mature trees offer up plenty of shade in the summer months for those looking to enjoy a few minutes absorbing this little bit of paradise in the heart of London.

Search out public art

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These small areas of greenery aren’t just home to trees, plants and urban foxes though. They are also worth exploring for their collection of public artworks. St Mary’s Terrace contains three steel cut outs honoring very different Paddington residents.

The first is of Michael Bond, creator of Paddington Bear, and the second dedicated to Mary Seacole – a British-Jamaican nurse who helped convalescing soldiers in the Crimean War alongside Florence Nightingale.

A clear demonstration of London’s diversity, the third is to Alan Turing – played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the movie The Imitation Game. Breaking the Nazi enigma code, and inventing the modern computer, he was prosecuted for being gay in 1952 and died two years later of cyanide poisoning. His image is soon to appear on the new form £50 note – should you be lucky enough to ever see one.

If you’re arriving by train, look out for the statues of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Peruvian national Paddington bear at the station. Fans of the latter’s antics will be delighted by the station’s dedicated store too.

Explore Paddington basin

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A dead-end offshoot of Regent’s Canal given a new lease of life, Paddington basin dog-legs south from Little Venice to just outside the station and hospital. A mix of offices, shops and apartments, the basin has a number of attractions and things to do.

Having checked out the floating pocket park that sits at the nearest end of the basin, it’s only a short walk to GoBoat London. Renting out small craft to explore the canal in more detail, trips make for an interesting alternative to a sightseeing cruise on the Thames. If you’re up for being a little more physical, you can also take to the water by stand-up paddleboard.

Head to the region on Wednesday or Friday lunchtimes, or Saturdays at 2 PM and there’s the bonus of seeing the Rolling Bridge unfold itself, alongside the Fan (or Merchant Square) Bridge fulfilling its crossing function at the same times.

They form crossings close to Darcie & May Green, a canal boat turned Aussie restaurant with decoration by Peter Blake. One of the UK’s most important pop artists, he’s best known for creating the cover art for the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album. Other nearby narrowboats serve up fresh shellfish – though not sourced from the canal, whilst the Cheese Barge is ready and waiting to serve up all manner of dairy-based dishes!

Head back in time

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It’s not as well-known as the London Transport Museum or Benjamin Franklin Museum, but the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum more than makes up for this in the way it’s dressed up – as if the Nobel Prize winning scientist has just stepped out for a cup of tea.

His discovery of penicillin in 1928 – on a petri dish he hadn’t washed up probably – can be honestly said to have changed the world and saved millions of lives, being the first antibiotic to ever go into production.

Travel out of Paddington to Notting Hill to the west and you’ll be able to check out the famous blue door from the Hugh Grant film of the same name before scanning the stalls of Portobello Road Market. The world’s largest antiques market with over 1000 stalls, there’s also sections for fashion, vintage gear and fruit and vegetables.

Visit Little Venice

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Back on the canal side, Little Venice is as pleasant as it sounds. Apparently named for its watery nature some time in the 1800s, it seems a world away from the busy thoroughfares that otherwise cut their way through parts of Paddington.

Whether it’s an hour enjoying the antics of the canal barges from Rembrandt Gardens or soaking up the atmosphere with a coffee at a waterside café, Little Venice is the place to do it. Quirky things to do in Paddington London include paying a visit to the Puppet Theatre Barge, a 50 seat floating auditorium with shows aimed at both children and adults.

Drift away from the canal side in order to visit St Mary’s Church. Dating to the Georgian era, it predates much of the Regency architecture for which Little Venice is known. Consecrated in 1791, it witnessed the marriage of William Hogarth, with the churchyard now a public park after the burials were reinterred at Mill Hill.

Deciding what things to do in Paddington London

Travel with Go City and you can uncover the many things to do in Paddington and London’s other neighborhoods whilst making substantial savings on visits to many of their top attractions.

With so many attractions to choose from it can be difficult to know where to start – and end – but this guide should provide you with enough ideas to keep you busy whatever your interests!

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Shop fronts in Camden London
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Things to do in Camden London

Linked with London’s various counter culture movements, Camden is much loved by those who believe they don’t fit in elsewhere, which, let’s face it, is all of us. It generally draws a younger crowd to its markets, live music venues, museums and green spaces. But if you’re wondering if it’s worth you visiting Camden, you’ll first want to know about the things to do in Camden London and what the area is all about. Camden, usually used to mean the Camden Town neighborhood, is an area of north London adjacent to Regent’s Park. Its quirky character – seeing young professionals rubbing shoulders with hipsters and dreadlocked wannabe revolutionaries – has attracted everyone from American poet Sylvia Plath to Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. Why? That’s exactly what we’re here to demonstrate! Go wild Camden contains over 160 blue plaques – denoting places where significant personalities have lived. However, it’s the neighborhood's non-human residents that capture the hearts of many visitors to north London. ZSL London Zoo is one of the world’s oldest and continues to be one of its most important conservation centers too. Visitors are able to get closer than ever before to Asiatic lions – of which only 400 exist in the wild, alongside gorillas and the creatures of London’s only rainforest. The zoo occupies the northernmost parts of Regent’s Park, one of London’s eight royal parks. Here visitors can take in the 12,000 individual roses that color Queen Mary’s Gardens each spring and summer, take a turn on the boating lake or wander across to Primrose Hill for views of the London skyline. Another spot to take in the quieter side of life in Camden is along the towpath of Regent’s Canal. Almost 14 km in length, the canal encircles much of north London, with some of its most picturesque areas being that within Regent’s Park and leading towards the market stalls of Camden Lock. Go shopping Forget the flagship stores of Oxford Street, Camden is all about its market stalls. Now primarily geared towards the tourist industry, you’re not going to be able to stock up on fruit and veg as easily as you once might have. However, you will have plenty of choice when it comes to books, clothing and street food. That’s because Camden actually has five markets within walking distance of one another. The most famous is Camden Lock Market, whose stalls are located around Regent’s Canal. For fashion, head to Buck Street Market, whilst antiques aficionados might prefer Stables Market. If you start to miss the big store names, you’ll find them – and a good number of independent boutiques – on Camden High Street. Go cultural Founded in 1932, Camden’s Jewish Museum recounts details of the life of London’s Jewish populations over the years. Its treasures include the Lindo Lamp – the first Hanukkah menorah known to have been made in Britain. Covering three stories of a row of buildings in Albert Street, it also has an important collection of artefacts from Auschwitz concentration camp and several significant works of art. A taste for modern and contemporary art is catered for at Cob Gallery, whose white walls are used to primarily represent emerging female artists based in the London area. The paintings and drawings hanging in the gallery offer perhaps the first chance to examine the work of artists sure to hit the mainstream sometime soon. An even greater range of artists can be discovered at the annual Frieze Art Fair, taking place each October in Regent’s Park. One of the highlights of London’s cultural calendar, the fair hosts over 150 galleries from around the world, dotting the park with large scale sculpture as paintings find a home in the temporary structure built purposely each year. Go for a bite to eat The constant stream of visitors to Camden means you only have to walk a few meters before catching the scent of food and drink from around the world. From traditional British fish and chips to Neapolitan pizza, Jamaican jerk chicken and Middle Eastern wraps, there’s something to tempt everyone’s taste buds. On the drinks front, Camden has its very own brewery, the Camden Town Brewery, whose core range includes the award-winning German style Hells Lager and Gentleman's Wit, a Belgian white beer with a hint of Earl Grey tea. What could be more Camden than that? For a trustworthy authentic pub to sample the brewery’s latest batches try the Hawley Arms, a pub Amy Winehouse liked so much she would serve behind the bar. A statue of her stands not too far away in Stables Market. Go for a night out like no other Based in a converted railroad shed where engines were turned and stored, the Roundhouse is a theater and auditorium hosting everything from performances of Shakespeare to the Britten Sinfonia and Bob Dylan. Meanwhile the Electric Ballroom is a stalwart of the indie music scene – with occasional performances by the likes of Ed Sheeran too. The Jazz Café provides a space for blues fans, and anyone with an interest in traditional English folk need only head to Cecil Sharp House to get their fill of the vibes. For nightlife in Camden combining cocktails and live DJs, check out Belushis, who has a laid-back afterwork ambience during the week, turning to a full-on dance-till-dawn ethos come the weekend. For ease of access alone – right opposite Camden Town Underground station – The Underworld is also worth mentioning. It welcomes an eclectic crowd ready to fill the dance floor when the top indie and rock tunes hit the speakers. Uncover the myriad things to do in Camden London By day and by night, there are a huge number of things to do in Camden London. But if you’re still looking for more to fill your days in the UK capital, the British Museum is just a short distance away, alongside the Curzon Bloomsbury Cinema and Freud Museum. Visit these attractions with Go City and you’ll make incredible savings on admission costs, meaning there’s even more reason to take in the sites of this small part of north London!
Ian Packham
Revelers at a Pride parade
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Things to do in London for Pride Day

The Pride in London festival is one of the biggest, brightest and best on the planet, with around 30,000 participants and 1.5 million spectators. A month-long celebration of love, diversity and all things LGBTQ+, it comes complete with theatrical cabaret and drag performances, world-class nightlife, LGBTQ+ film screenings and, of course, the all-important Pride Parade that brings the festival to a flamboyant close in late June or early July. Raise your rainbow flag and dive in for our guide to all the best things to do in London for Pride Day. The Pride Parade There are stacks of fun LGBTQ+ events taking place around London in the weeks leading up to the annual Pride Parade. We’re talking community socials, live theater, movie screenings, tours and more. But, by the end of the month it’s all about the Pride Parade, when the West End fills with festival atmosphere, and vibrant, eye-popping floats lead a procession of thousands of revelers through the streets. Here, all roads lead to Trafalgar Square for the biggest party of the year. Find a spot along the (relatively short) route from Hyde Park to watch the floats cruise colorfully by. Expect plenty of dancing, singing and wild, wild costumes at the Trafalgar Square party, accompanied by live shows from some of the planet’s biggest stars – previous performers include Idina Menzel, Rita Ora, and Queen’s Adam Lambert. If Trafalgar Square feels a little too hectic for you (and, believe us, it does get pretty hectic), there are several other satellite events dotted around the West End, including a family area at Victoria Embankment, and revelers tend to spill out into the surrounding neighborhoods (particularly Soho) to keep the party going through the day and indeed well into the wee small hours. Pride in London is a free and unticketed event, but those with deep pockets can choose to book a seat in the grandstand on Haymarket for around £50. You’ll need to book early though – seats are very limited and tend to sell out in the blink of an eye. Find about more about this year’s Pride in London events and timings here. LGBTQ+ Art & Culture There are many ways to spend Pride Day in London without spending endless frustrated hours jockeying for position at overcrowded bars. For example, you could soak up some of that vibrant LGBTQ+ culture in a rather more low-key fashion at the Queer Britain Museum. This excellent Kings Cross museum was established to celebrate Pride’s 50th anniversary in 2022, and its exhibition contains photography from previous parades. There are also talks, workshops and a small shop. Some of London’s more established museums – the mighty British Museum and the Tate among them – also run tours highlighting key pieces of LGBTQ+ art in their collections in and around Pride month. And, if you do happen to find yourself at the British Museum, you’re also just a 10-minute stroll from London’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore. Gay’s The Word has been trading here since 1979, and acts as a thriving community hub as well as an outlet for some of the best in new (and old) LGBTQ+ writing. A fine place, in other words, to while away an hour or two, as well as supporting a small LGBTQ+ business during Pride. See London’s Top Sights Hey, just because the streets are thronging with crowds doesn’t mean you can’t also squeeze in a little light London sightseeing while you’re in town. There are some themed walking tours included with attraction passes from Go City, or you can go full Pride and take a Dragged Around London tour, in which a fabulous drag queen, drag king (or other gender-bending performer) will take you on a frankly unforgettable tour of some of the city's sights. Tour titles like ‘West Mincer’ and ‘Wild Wild West End’ should give you some idea of what to expect! Spoiler: high heels, lip-synching and karaoke are all par for the course. There are plenty more attractions worth checking out when in London for Pride Day. Many, including the London Eye, even light up in the rainbow colors of the Pride flag in honor of the festival. You can also save up to 50% on entry to bucket-listers including the London Eye with a London pass from Go City. Other attractions on the pass include: Madame Tussauds London The View from the Shard Kensington Palace, former home of Diana Princess of Wales The fabulous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Tower Bridge … and many many more! Find out more and get your London attractions pass here. Pride Day Nightlife in London London’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene is a riot at the best of times, so you can only imagine what it’s like with the fun turned all the way up to 11 for Pride Day. Iconic nightlife venues abound in and around the streets of Soho where, handily, many of the day’s scheduled events will also take place. The bars that line Old Compton Street are practically the stuff of legend, and they get even more lively during Pride. Try the Admiral Duncan for one of the most convivial hangouts in town – it’s been around since the 19th Century and a popular LGBTQ+ hangout since at least the 1980s. Mix it up with a hop just across the street to lively Comptons, another fine stalwart of the LGBTQ+ scene that's been trading here since 1986. Later, Soho clubs including G-A-Y, Heaven and the Freedom Bar are just some of the neighborhood’s most popular choices, though there are plenty more within stumbling distance of Old Compton Street should these be too busy. Just south of the river, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern is a grade II-listed former Victorian music hall where high camp and high-kicking drag acts are the order of the day. Expect top live performers and high-energy floor fillers late into the night. The nearby Cock Tavern is another firm favorite with Pride revelers on the big day. Or don your most extraordinary Pride outfit and strike out for East End hipster joints like Dalston Superstore – think vegan food, colorful craft cocktails and contemporary club classics that cater to a slightly younger crowd. And finally (if you have any energy left), there’s FOLD in Canning Town, for dance, electronic and techno beats that will keep your feet moving long after sun-up. Save on London Attractions, Tours and Activities Save up to 50% on admission to London attractions with a pass from Go City. Check out @gocity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
A cable car crossing the Thames at sunset
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Things to do in Greenwich London

History seeps from every cobblestone street and blade of grass in Greenwich. An area first recorded more than a thousand years ago in 918, it sits on the south bank of the River Thames to the east of central London, stretching around the banking center of Canary Wharf and docklands. Overflowing with royal heritage, and the meeting point of the eastern and western hemispheres, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not to be missed. From its parks to its panoramas of London, here are the top things to do in Greenwich London. Head back in time Standing proud in dry dock close to the entrance of Greenwich foot tunnel, the Cutty Sark was once one of the most important ships in Britain’s merchant fleet – tasked with transporting tea from Shanghai as quickly as the winds would allow. Becoming the fastest vessel to ever undertake the 3.5 month journey, it is the only ship of its kind in the northern hemisphere and provides an immersive way of experiencing what life must have been like on the high seas during the 1800s. Pass through the colonnaded central avenue of the Old Royal Naval College – created so views of the Thames from Queen’s House weren’t obstructed – and you’ll reach the National Maritime Museum. With the navy integral to Britain’s history, the museum has managed to collect over two million objects since it was opened in 1934, including Turner’s largest ever painting and the jacket that Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar. Take in the views Views back towards central London’s neighborhoods aren’t hard to find, with Greenwich Park providing ample. However, Greenwich doesn’t disappoint when it comes to vistas beyond the ordinary either. Those with a head for heights can scale London’s O2 Arena for uninterrupted 360° views not only of Greenwich, but also Canary Wharf and the 2012 Olympic Park – including the AcerlorMittal Orbit Tower. Or you could drift over the Thames with the 10 minute one way journey on London’s only cable car, the Emirates Air Line. But given its naval heritage and being so close to the river, the top way to take in the sights has to be aboard a Thames sightseeing cruise departing from Greenwich Pier. With three additional points to hop-on and off, they provide an alternative route to the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s than the city’s Underground network. Enjoy a park full of treasures Despite this range of attractions, Greenwich is most famous for its Royal Observatory, located within Greenwich Park. Commissioned by Charles II in 1675, it became a major center for astronomy and navigation, before also being designated the site of the prime meridian in the nineteenth century. A plaque and green laser mark the point at which the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth meet. Turn south towards the deer park to take in another of the park’s sights – The Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House. (Forget about any signs to the park’s Roman Ruins, which aren’t visible). The red brick edifice of Ranger’s House, by contrast, couldn’t be a better place to explore the 700 piece collection of Sir Julius Wernher. An extraordinary private collection of paintings, Renaissance jewelry, bronzes and carved ivory, it’s a museum which deserves better recognition than it usually receives. Explore modern Greenwich Walking distance from the main historical sites, Greenwich Market brings additional vibrancy to the neighborhood. Protected from the weather, this covered market contains around 120 stalls loaded with antiques, handmade arts and crafts from local creators and street food picks from around the world, including a good range of gluten-free and vegan options. Whilst some of the dishes these stalls produce are worthy of gallery space, the exhibitions at North Greenwich’s NOW Gallery will impress all the more. Its usual focus is on the area’s diversity, sharing the work of artists, designers and creatives from a range of backgrounds. Contemporary art, fashion and photography are all included. To see the latest in funny, check out the Up the Creek Comedy Club, who combine old and new world beers brewed on a daily basis using batch micro-brewing techniques with some of the UK’s top talent. Blackout nights add a talent show feek to the open mic nights. Its Sunday Special nights have been going strong since 2005, and often sees unadvertised performances from household names including Michael McIntyre and Flight of the Conchords. Get involved with special events Sometimes compared to a riverine version of the London Marathon, the Great River Race sees up to 300 oared craft race each other in a handicapped competition from Greenwich to Ham. Growing in popularity each September, every vessel is required to fly a flag and winners are not just those who cross the finish line first 34 kilometers later, but also those with the best fancy dress. Move over the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race! September also sees the city wide Open House event, revealing usually hidden parts of Greenwich to the general public. Sites that have previously welcomed visitors for this special event have included Joseph Bazalgette’s Pumping Station from 1859 and Nicholas Hawksmoor’s Church of St Alfege. Earlier on in the year, at the start of the summer festival season in June, there’s the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. Celebrating the performing arts, the 10 day event has around 200 different individual performances, from small-scale theatrical shows to huge outdoor acrobatic displays. What to do in Greenwich London When it comes to things to do in Greenwich London, visitors don’t have to look very hard, with the complex of royal museums, park and market providing a worthwhile pull east from the center of the British capital. Travel with Go City and you’ll also get incredible savings on attraction admission for many of the neighborhood’s top sites. That way you can straddle the globe’s hemispheres at the Royal Observatory and enjoy a cruise along the Thames towards the Houses of Parliament safe in the knowledge that you could be saving hour after hour and attraction by attraction.
Ian Packham

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