Paddington Station is one of the busiest National Rail terminals in Central London. As the London terminus of the Great Western Main Line, rail services are primarily operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) which links to such cities as Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Newquay, and Penzance.
While staying at hotels near Paddington Station, you can expect to arrive via the station when transferring from Heathrow Airport or when boarding the London Underground.
What is Paddington named for?
Paddington Station is named for the neighbourhood it stands in. During the 10th century, an Anglo-Saxon chieftain named Padda lorded over a settlement in this area of London. It is widely believed that Padda’s legacy led to the subsequent naming of Paddington.
As a result of the area and station, the beloved children’s character “Paddington Bear” was born. Furthermore, the station inspired the naming of the Central Park Hotel Paddington.f
What is the history of Paddington Station?
In the 1830s, work was in progress to establish a rail link between Bristol and London at the request of GWR. The engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel was handed the commission, due to his previous success in the construction of a tunnel between Wapping and Rotherhithe in the East End.
After a mere three months of planning, Brunel’s plans were scrapped on account of the soaring costs. As a result, he was only able to oversee a temporary station that opened on 4 June 1838.
In 1850, the GWR agreed to the construction of a new permanent station to be designed on Praed Street – with Brunel back at the helm.
Inspired by the design of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851, Brunel conceived the three-span roof at Paddington Station. The station opened in tandem with the Great Western Hotel in 1854, one of the oldest hotels near Paddington Station.
By the early 20th century, a larger structure was required on account of increasing traffic. On-going works from 1904 saw the footprint of Paddington Station increase, with an expansion of platforms between 1913 and 1916. The new roof was designed to mimic Brunel’s roof as much as possible.
Paddington Station underwent an extensive makeover in the 1990s while remaining faithful to the original architecture.
What is Paddington Station known for?
Paddington Station is known for its landmark architecture and its concourse of chic eateries, gourmet sandwich joints, and fashionable shops.
The station is the start of the family-friendly Pawprint Trail and backs onto the tranquil waterside neighbourhood of Little Venice.
Fast trains serve Heathrow Airport.
Hotels near Paddington Station
Paddington is one of the best areas to stay in London. The area is convenient for the city’s principal airport and for getting around the attractions of the West End.
The Central Park Hotel Paddington is less than five minutes away on foot from Paddington Station. Immaculate rooms with private bathrooms are appointed with modern decor, furnishings, and state-of-the-art amenities. Breakfast is available to guests while corporate travellers may make use of the on-site business suite.
