Why Paddington ticks many people's boxes
Wednesday, 1 August 2012 8:36 AM
Paddington is perhaps most famous for London Paddington station, a vast train station connecting London with different parts of the UK and Europe.
Automatically for some people, the prospect of living in a place that houses one of the busiest stations in the world is simply unpalatable.
However, Paddington in many ways is a fantastic place to live, so if you are looking for somewhere to rent in the capital, do not cross Paddington off the list.
It may be throbbing with tourists and be extremely busy, but it is also a wonderfully exciting place to call home.
Property
Back in the 18th century, Paddington became the place to be for wealthy bankers, lawyers and other professionals and this can be seen from the huge houses scattered across the area.
Grand terraces and garden squares were created to give the newly wealthy a stylish and sophisticated environment to live in.
Many of these terraces and gardens are still around today, as are the stunning properties. However, many of the houses have been converted into flats and apartments that can be bought or rented.
As well as period conversion houses, there have been some more modern properties built in recent years.
Social life
Given that it is often the first place many visitors to London see, the restaurants, bars and cafes in and around Paddington have an international flavour.
If Japanese cuisine is your thing, you could try an evening at Dinings, while plenty more Japanese and Chinese diners can be found in nearby Bayswater.
One of the most famous eateries in Paddington is the Frontline Club.
The Frontline Club serves traditional English cuisine of the very finest quality and all profits are donated to support the Frontline Forum.
As well restaurants, you can spend an evening in one of the many traditional pubs dotted throughout the area, while there are also a number of modern and stylish bars where you can enjoy cocktails and more.
Transport
Strong transport links in Paddington are a given.
Paddington is one of London's major transport hubs and as a result, you can find tube, overground and bus services to and from Paddington morning, noon and night.
The tube station is served by the Hammersmith and City, Circle, District and Bakerloo lines, while nearby Lancaster Gate allows you to access the Central line.
Attractions
As previously noted, Paddington is a major tourist hub and it is little surprise then that there are numerous attractions to enjoy.
At the Alexander Fleming Museum, you can learn all about the discovery of penicillin before taking in a show at the famous Canal Café Theatre.
More cultural offerings can be enjoyed at the Trinity Arts Centre and Cascade Art Gallery, while you can also spend an afternoon touring the Grand Union canal and the rest of 'Little Venice' on a boat trip.
Most people when looking to live in one of London's stylish locations opt for the usual choices of Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair and Notting Hill.
However, Paddington has as much if not more to offer.
Prices are not cheap in Paddington but when it comes to value for money, it is often a better bet than expensive west London postcodes.
You could find yourself a gem of a property in Paddington, so do not rule it out on the basis that it is a busy tourist destination.
