About the office
Our highly knowledgeable and experienced team of lettings agents in Paddington has more than 40 years’ experience in the central London property market and offer a wealth of expertise about all parts of the W2 area, stretching north of Hyde Park and including Paddington, the Hyde Park estate, Bayswater, Lancaster Gate and Queensway, as well as parts of Marylebone and Fitzrovia.
Why move to Paddington?
While the name Paddington may conjure up images of a bear in a duffel coat who loves marmalade sandwiches, it’s also one of London’s most important train terminals. Paddington Station is a key cog in London’s rail network and is a hub for visitors and commuters arriving in London from the west of the country – there's even a statue of Paddington Bear situated inside the station itself. The station was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1852 and also offers a number of late-night conveniences, including a Sainsbury’s and a Marks & Spencer. Paddington also plays host to St Mary's Hospital - the birthplace of Princes William and Harry, and more recently Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. There's plenty to see and do in Paddington and the area is only two miles away from central London. There are lots of exclusive shops and restaurants, as well as a large number of hotels, and Hyde Park is right on the doorstep.
A little bit of history
One of the most famous landmarks of the area is Hyde Park, which was first established as Henry VIII’s deer park for hunting in 1536. The park is still a cornerstone of daily life for local residents and is now home to the annual Winter Wonderland Christmas Carnival. The Paddington area has been extensively developed with Stuart, Georgian and Victorian buildings shaping the landscape.
Architecture and property
The architecture of Paddington and Bayswater is varied catering to all preferences, with much of the residential homes being housed within terraces of tall stucco Georgian and early Victorian properties with many tree lined streets and central garden squares along with the prestigious Lancasters development on Lancaster Gate.
The Paddington Basin began redevelopment in 2001 which has quickly become one of the most popular areas to live with a variety of modern developments around the Grand Union Canal and further benefitting from concierge services and a range of communal facilities available for residents.
Shopping and amenities
Along Edgware Road, you'll find the Church Street Market, a great place to buy fruit and vegetables along with other fresh produce. There are a good number of shops along the Queensway including a Waitrose, while the Connaught Village has many charming retail stores. Some of the world’s best shopping can be found locally, such as the vast Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd’s Bush, Harrods in Knightsbridge and Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum and the Lisson Gallery can also be found in the Paddington area. The Rolling Bridge is a local eccentricity and crosses Paddington Basin.
Going out
Paddington has a huge variety of world cuisines, from Cypriot to Chinese, Lebanese to fine French bistro fare. There are also a number of fashionable bars overlooking the canal. The rest of London and the West End is just a short hop away on the tube.
Green space
The Paddington area has some excellent garden squares, while residents enjoy close proximity to the sprawling green space of Hyde Park. One of the eight Royal Parks, the 350-acre recreational area has footpaths, riding trails, ornamental gardens and the lovely Serpentine.
Schools
The area is well served by a variety of both state and independent schooling, including two schools rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted: Hampden Gurney and Ark King Soloman Academy. Popular private schools include Kensington Park School, Pembridge Hall and Wetherby. For international students, Hill House and Halcyon London are well attended.
Transport
Access to the rest of London is made easy thanks to the strong transport links in place including bus routes, tube trains and black cabs – Paddington is one of the best-connected areas in London. As the terminus of the Great Western mainline the station has great access to the west of England, with the underground station also served by four of the capital’s underground lines. There are also underground stations at Marble Arch, Queensway and Lancaster Gate (Central line), and Bayswater and Edgware Road (Circle and District lines). The A40 provides fast access to the M25.