Paddington Station is always bustling with activity, thanks to its historical significance as a Victorian engineering marvel by Brunel. If you’re visiting London, take a moment to explore Paddington’s neighborhood, which offers easy access to all the main attractions and is a fantastic place to stay.

Near Paddington Station, there’s plenty to do, including connections to a famous marmalade-loving bear. I spent a day exploring and found many fun activities perfect for a great day out.

If you’ve seen the Paddington Bear movie or read the books, you know that Paddington Bear was named after the station where he arrived from Peru and was found by Mr. and Mrs. Brown. On Platform 1, you’ll find a life-sized bronze statue of Paddington Bear, created by Marcus Cornish and unveiled by author Michael Bond in 2000. Following the Paddington Bear trail is a fun activity, especially for families.

I joined other Paddington Bear fans to take a photo with the statue. Nearby, a green plaque commemorates Paddington Bear’s arrival in 1958. In the Lawn area, there’s the world’s only Paddington Bear shop, offering a leaflet with a charming Paddington Pawprint Trail for family-friendly activities near Paddington.

If you want to explore all the Paddington Bear locations with a guide, consider the Guided Paddington Walking Tour. Paddington Station is also the starting point of the Paddington Public Art Trail, featuring 22 sculptures throughout the area. I checked out the Brunel statue on Platform 8 and later spotted other interesting sculptures, like Sean Henry’s Two Figures and the Message from an Unseen World, a tribute to codebreaker Alan Turing.

South of Paddington Station, you’ll find leafy green squares with enclosed gardens, such as Talbot Square Gardens and Norfolk Square Gardens, which have picnic spots, a children’s play area, and free ping pong tables. There’s also another Paddington Bear statue here.

For lunch or dinner, try The Victoria pub, with its cosy banquette seating and polished wood paneling. The pub has a bar downstairs and serves food upstairs. You can also explore London with a Hop on Hop Off tour, covering all major sites with 19 different stops and audio commentary.

My exploration took me around the streets near the station, with many pretty squares and elegant houses. Paddington has charming mews, once stables for wealthy Londoners, now converted into sought-after cottages. The most photogenic mews include Bathurst Mews, Conduit Mews, and Craven Hill.

As I headed back toward Paddington Station, I passed the Alexander Fleming Museum at St Mary’s Hospital, where you can see Fleming’s restored laboratory and learn about his discovery of penicillin. Further along Praed Street, I reached Paddington Basin, part of a network of waterways that include Little Venice and Regents Park.

Paddington Basin has been rejuvenated with new offices and public spaces. It features a floating pocket park with plantings and a wildlife area. There’s also a footbridge that doubles as an art installation, opening like a Japanese fan on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and on Saturdays at 2 pm.

Merchants Square, next to the floating park, offers offices, eateries, and spaces to relax, including a water maze where kids can play. Here, you can also find sculptures, such as a seated figure of Sir Simon Milton and another Paddington statue in an M&S café.

Exploring the canal system is fun, and nearby, GoBoat offers electric boat rentals for small groups. Their boats, which take up to eight people, are easy to manage and come with a picnic table. An hour’s ride can take you to Regents Park and back, while a two-hour ride can reach Camden Market.

For more active pursuits, Active 360 offers paddleboarding sessions in the Paddington Basin. They provide SUP training and SUP Yoga sessions, which need to be booked in advance.

As you walk along the canal, look out for the Rolling Bridge, a sculptural installation that curls up when raised. Continuing along, you’ll reach Little Venice, where you can relax at Rembrandt Gardens or have a drink and snack at the Waterside Cafe.

From Little Venice, you can take a boat trip with the London Waterbus Company to Camden Lock or London Zoo. Alternatively, Jason’s Trips offers similar tours. The Puppet Theatre Barge in Little Venice provides unique puppet show entertainment.

If you’re looking for a waterside restaurant, try the Bridge House pub or The Summerhouse, known for its seafood. The Waterway offers beautiful canal views all year round.

From here, it’s an easy walk back to Paddington Station. If you have a full day, follow my trail. If you only have an hour or two, explore the Little Venice area or Paddington Basin. For nearby accommodation, consider The Devonshire, just a five-minute walk from the station, offering stylish, comfortable rooms and modern amenities.

For more information about London, you might want a guidebook like the DK Eyewitness Top 10 London Pocket Travel Guide.