Perhaps even more famous than the station itself, Paddington Bear is one of the world’s most iconic literary and film characters. And it’s only right that he’s celebrated in and around the station that gave him his name.

First up, at the station itself, you’ll find a bronze statue of Paddington on Platform 1, near the giant clock. The life-size statue by sculptor Marcus Cornish is in the spot where the Brown family first find Paddington. People even leave marmalade jars as a tribute.

You can then head to the Paddington Shop close by, in the lawn area near Platform 1. It sells classic books, toys, clothes, film memorabilia and, of course, jars of marmalade.

From the station, you can enjoy even more bear-themed attractions on the self-guided Paddington Paw Trail. Look out for the statue of author, Michael Bond, and his bear near Paddington Basin, as well as the canal towpath in Little Venice that features in Paddington 2.

Little Venice canal walks

This lovely canal walk takes around 10-15 minutes from the station. Little Venice is where the Grand Union and Regent’s Canal meet. It’s a broad, peaceful stretch of water home to narrowboats and surrounded by Regency-era buildings. While you’re here, you’ll see the distinctive Browning’s Island, enjoy a drink at a floating café and spend some time in the tranquil Rembrandt Gardens while watching the boats.

Leave the station via the main entrance, walk towards Praed Street, and head along the street for around five minutes.

Turn towards Paddington Basin, where you’ll find the canal.

Head westwards along the canal, passing bridges, cafes, restaurants and some appealing architecture as you go.

You’ll then arrive at Little Venice.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

For a lovely stroll through some of Central London’s beautiful green spaces, head first to Hyde Park and walk to Kensington Gardens. It should take around 10-20 minutes, and you’ll see some fantastic sights along the way.

If you have the kids in tow, look out for the Peter Pan statue tucked beside the Long Water in Kensington Gardens. Kensington Palace sits within the gardens, and you can admire it from outside. You’ll need to book in advance to go inside, with a ticket costing £24.70.

Paddington Art Trail

Beginning in the station itself, the Paddington Art Trail showcases over 20 artworks and takes between one and two hours, depending on how long you spend admiring the art.

It begins with the Unknown Soldier at the station. You can pick up a leaflet here or follow on your phone. Notable artworks along the route include the statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (the engineer behind the station) and the marble statue of Sarah Siddons. There are plenty of intriguing contemporary artworks along the canal.

Plan Your Iconic London Walking Tour from Paddington

One of the best things about London is that many of the top things to see can be discovered on foot. While the city has an excellent public transport system, including trains, tubes, and buses, choosing to take a walking tour around London provides the opportunity to see more of the UK capital and spot hidden gems and places of interest along the way.

Travelling into London from Heathrow via the Heathrow Express means you can start your walking tour right away. The train conveniently arrives at Paddington Station, which is the perfect starting point for an iconic walk that takes in Big Ben, the Tower of London, and London Bridge. This walk is around six miles (9.5 kilometres) in length and will take around two hours without stopping.

Read on to discover how to find some of London’s top monuments via a walking tour from Paddington Station and tips for making the most of your walk, whether you’re staying in London for two days, three days, or even longer.

Explore London on a Walking Tour

Explore the Magnificent Westminster Area and Big Ben

The first stop on your London walking tour is Big Ben, which is perhaps the world’s most famous clock and a must-see monument while visiting the city. Big Ben is an impressive 96m in height and is instantly recognisable as you approach it. The clock tower is located at the end of the Houses of Parliament on the banks of the River Thames in London’s historically important Westminster borough and is an unmissable part of London’s much-loved skyline.

Big Ben is approximately three miles from Paddington Station, and it will take around one hour to walk there. Spend 45 minutes to an hour admiring the architecture and taking photos of Big Ben and its surrounding London monuments, including the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Journey Across London Bridge to Historic Landmarks

The next stop on your London walking tour is the remarkable London Bridge which is around two miles from Big Ben on foot. The bridge has seen many different forms over the years and is the River Thames’ oldest crossing. Originally built in 43AD by the Romans, the London Bridge you see today has a simple design made from a combination of steel and concrete. From London Bridge you can see many of London’s monuments as you look down the river, including Tower Bridge which boasts a beautiful design and a movable road that allows ships to pass through.

There are lots of great things to see in London set close to London Bridge, including the London Eye and the Tate Modern gallery where you can see modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day. There are also some different walking trails set around the monument, such as the peaceful Green Space Trail and the London Bridge Hidden Art Walk which highlights sculptures, street art, and much more.

Uncover Centuries of History at the Tower of London

The final stop on your walking tour is the iconic Tower of London which is just half a mile from London Bridge on foot. See the impressive Crown Jewels, a collection of over 100 pieces and over 2300 gemstones, learn about the tower’s fascinating history as a fortress, palace, and prison, and immerse yourself in dark stories of rebellion and execution. Highlights of a Tower of London visit include guided tours led by traditional Yeoman Warders (also known as Beefeaters), seeing the ravens thought to protect the kingdom that nest in the tower, and viewing suits of armour, including some worn by Henry VIII.

You should allocate around three hours for your Tower of London visit as this will give you time to explore the exhibits and learn all about the monument’s rich history. Queues can get long throughout the day, so book Tower of London tickets in advance where possible to guarantee entry.

Grab your tickets now

Purchase Your Heathrow Express Tickets Here

Maximise Your London Walking Tour Experience

To make the most of your London walking experience, you should:

Book attraction tickets in advance where possible – for example for the Tower of London
Wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in
Get started as early as possible to avoid queues
Take bottled water and snacks or plan stops along the way
Check accessibility information for each attraction on their dedicated websites
Have your camera ready for both iconic monuments and hidden gems

Seamless Travel with Heathrow Express to Paddington

If you’re landing at Heathrow, the fastest and easiest way to get to central London from terminals 2, 3, 4, or 5 is to take the Heathrow Express directly to Paddington Station where this London walking tour starts. Whether you’re visiting the city for two days, three days, or even longer, you’ll want to make the most of your trip by getting into the city quickly and conveniently.

If you’re hoping to see some of the most famous monuments of London during your trip, book your Heathrow Express tickets in advance and enjoy a stress-free start to your visit.