London Paddington Station

Known locally simply as Paddington Station, London Paddington Station is one of the main railway terminals in London.

It is also one of the first places many international visitors to London see. The station is where the trains from Heathrow Airport arrive, both the high-speed Heathrow Express which takes just 15 minutes and makes no stops after leaving Heathrow, and the service currently provided by TfL, which runs on the same route but makes stops at several stations along the route.

The Night Riviera Sleeper Train about to depart Paddington Station for Penzance in Cornwall. — The Night Riviera Sleeper Train about to depart Paddington Station for Penzance in Cornwall

Great Western Line

Paddington is a terminal of the Great Western Line which connects with Bristol.

It also connects with the South Wales Main Line that runs from Swindon to Swansea, and to the Reading - Taunton Line, and then to the Bristol to Exeter and Penzance Line. The Night Riviera Sleeper Train connects Paddington to Penzance in Cornwall with a nightly service 6 days week.

While the busiest stations on the underground network tend to be in central London and that connect with major railway terminals with multiple tube lines, Canary Wharf Station in Canary Wharf is the busiest station on a single line.

Wrought iron pillars and curved girders support the glazed roof of Paddington Station. — Wrought iron pillars and curved girders support the glazed roof of Paddington Station

Tube Lines

Paddington Station is served by four Tube lines. The Bakerloo, Circle, and District Lines stop at a station in the south of the mainline station, and the Hammersmith & City Line stops at a station to the north, as does the Circle Line.

Elizabeth Line

The new Elizabeth Line (known as Crossrail during construction) passes through Paddington. The line stretches 100 km from Reading and Heathrow in the west through tunnels under central London and then to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. The Elizabeth Line provides a slower and cheaper service to Heathrow Airport than the Heathrow Express. The Elizabeth Line absorbed the former Heathrow Connect service. Stations on the route are Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Hayes & Harlington, Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Heathrow Terminal 4 and Heathrow Terminal 5.

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Train on the Elizabeth Line at Paddington Station. — A train on the Elizabeth Line at Paddington Station

Buses

Buses that call at Paddington Station include the 7 (N7), 23, 27, 36, 46, 205 and 332.

London Paddington Station at night. — London Paddington Station at night

Trains at London Paddington Station. — Trains at London Paddington Station

History

Paddington Station opened in 1854 and was designed by the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The original Great Western Railway was his creation and he intended it to be the greatest railway in the country.

Brunel designed most of the major infrastructure for the GWR, including tunnels, viaducts, and bridges. Box Tunnel, between Bath and Chippenham, was the longest railway tunnel in the world when it was built in 1841, and the unique Royal Albert Bridge carrying the railway across the River Tamar between Plymouth in Devon and Saltash in Cornwall is still considered a masterpiece.

London Paddington Station, London. — Paddington Bear Statue

Paddington Bear

The most dramatic feature of Brunel's design is the great glazed roof, inspired, it is said, by the Crystal Palace. The roof is 699 feet in length, and is supported by three wrought iron arches with spans of 68 feet, 102 feet and 70 feet.

Paddington Station is the origin of the famous children's book character Paddington Bear. In the first book by author Michael Bond, the bear is discovered in Paddington Station and named after the station. A small statue of Paddington Bear can be found under the clock in the main station concourse.

Hotels near Paddington Station

There are hundreds of places to stay near Paddington to suit all budgets. Connected to Heathrow Airport and close to many of London's attractions, visitors have a wide choice of accommodation.

Here are some of the very best hotels near Paddington Station: The Chilworth London Paddington with five stars, the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate also five stars, and the Royal Lancaster London. The four-star Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel is right opposite the station.

More budget accommodation options near Paddington can be found here.