Paddington is well known for being one of the best places in London to stay with family. With its spacious roads, beautiful townhouses and luxury accommodation in the form of the Grand Park Hotel, Paddington is definitely one of the most visited areas of London. With a wide range of sites and attractions, it can cater to any and all tastes due to its proximity to the city centre and diverse culture. If you’re visiting the city with children, then your trip won’t be as straightforward as a business traveller or when on a romantic weekend. With kids demanding a lot from a holiday, it can be difficult to please everyone, especially if you’re focussing on one specific area to visit. Luckily for those staying at the Park Grand London Kensington, the area of Paddington and the surrounding Bayswater has plenty to keep you and the little ones entertained. Here are a few of our top tips for visiting Paddington with the kids.
Paddington Bear shop in Paddington Station
When walking through Paddington Station, you will notice several statues and figurines dedicated to the iconic bear, and if you’re kids are fans of the series, then take them to the Paddington Bear shop in Paddington Station. Here you’ll find a wide range of toys, souvenirs and goodies so they can truly remember their Paddington experience.
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Based between 237 and 241 Baker Street, the Sherlock Holmes Museum actually bears the number 221b, fitting with the flat which housed the fictional detective in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective series. At the museum, you’ll see replicas of the kind of home the Victorian duo of Holmes and Watson would have kept, alongside information about Doyle’s writing process between 1880 and 1904.
Madame Tussauds
Another Baker Street beauty, the Madame Tussauds Waxworks is one of the most popular attractions in London. With thousands of life size wax replicas of many famous, fictional and historical figures, this is the perfect place to get up close and personal with your heroes. If your child wants a photo with David Beckham or Brad Pitt, then this is the place to get it!
Regent’s Park
This West London based park is one of the biggest and most child friendly in the city. Here you can find a wide range of attractions, such as the famous London Zoo and Primrose Hill, where some of the best views in London can be found.
Alexander Fleming Museum
The man who discovered the powerful properties and widespread uses of penicillin has a museum dedicated to him in the Paddington based St Mary’s Hospital. This was the site of Alexander Fleming’s laboratory, and through displays and videos, the museum on Praed Street takes you on a journey through the life of Fleming and his discovery of Penicillin. The museum is open from 10 till 1pm on Mondays to Thursdays and is also open to educational visits.
Darcie and May Green Cafe
This canal side cafe is located on a barge in Little Venice, promising gourmet cafe food, coffee and drinks all from within a multicoloured barge in the Paddington basin. Why not stop by with the kids and enjoy some smoked salmon or a “fancy bacon roll”?
Puppet Theatre Barge
Another prime example of the beautiful arts in Paddington, the Puppet Barge is well known as one of the best places in the world to find marionette based performance, and is aimed at adults and children alike.
