Found just to the north of Paddington, Little Venice is a picturesque district in the residential area of Maida Vale in West London. With its gorgeous canals and waterways, a boat ride here is like taking a Gondola ride in Italy. This charming and quirky area is a not-so-secret gem of London and a hot favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. If you’re visiting London for a short stay, then choose to stay in hotels near Paddington and make sure to set aside some time to transport yourself to Europe for an afternoon. A convenient location such as that of Central Park Hotel will put you in close proximity to both Paddington Station and Little Venice.
Here’s all you need to know about planning a trip to Little Venice from Paddington.
How to Get to Little Venice from Paddington Station
At a distance of 0.7 miles, there are four ways you can get to Little Venice from Paddington Station.
(i) Walk
The most ideal (and free!) way to get to Little Venice is by taking a walk down. Exiting the station on Praed St. and walking down Warwick Ave will get you to Little Venice in about 15 minutes, no sweat.
(ii) Underground / Subway
You can cut down the travel time by taking the Tube as well. Simply hop onto the Bakerloo line toward Stonebridge Park and get off at the next stop on Warwick Ave. Little Venice is a minute away from the exit – making the whole trip just about 5 minutes!
(iii) Bus
Bus 46 will also take you to Warwick Ave and you’ll reach Little Venice in about 9 minutes.
(iv) Driving a Car / Taxi
An extremely short drive from Paddington will get you to Little Venice in less than 5 minutes depending on traffic. You can drive via the Eastbourne Terrace, the Westbourne Terrace or via Praed St. and Harrow Rd.
What to Do in Little Venice
You can easily spend the whole morning or afternoon at Little Venice. Here’s a quick guide of everything that you can get upto in this slice-of-Italy neighborhood.
(i) Get Clicking
Arrive a little early in the morning if you want to find the place (relatively) empty and get those perfect grammable shots! The beautiful tree lined waterways make for the most picturesque backdrops for all kinds of photoshoots.
(ii) Enjoy a Romantic Walk
Catch a break from the hustle and bustle of the city by taking a romantic walk down Little Venice. Follow the peaceful corridor upstream and enjoy the tranquil waters of the canal.
(iii) Take a Boat Ride
It should come as no surprise that taking a boat ride is a fantastic way to explore the beautiful waterways of Little Venice. The boats in London may not be Venetian gondolas but you’re sure to make memories for a lifetime! You can even embark on a longer trip down Regent’s canal and get off at Camden Lock Market about 45 minutes later, if shopping’s on your agenda for the day.
(iv) See a Puppet Show
Little Venice is where you can find the UK’s only floating puppet theater – The Puppet Theater Barge! The Puppet Theater Barge has been putting on a programme of unique puppet shows on a converted Thames barge for forty years and it’s pure magic!
(v) Grab Some Grub
From simple comfort food, to fancy seafood – you can relish a variety of delicious food with fabulous views of the Canal. If you want some entertainment along with your meal, then the Canal Cafe Theater is a popular spot on the edge of Regent’s Canal that hosts comedy performances with a pub downstairs.
