Paddington

Paddington is an area in the City of Westminster, London, located in the central-west part of the city just north of Hyde Park. Historically part of the parish of Paddington, the district developed as a residential and commercial neighborhood in the 19th century and later became closely associated with rail transport and urban growth. Its name is shared with a major railway terminus that serves as a gateway to west London and beyond.

Paddington Station is a major railway terminus and London Underground interchange in Paddington. It opened in 1846 under the Great Western Railway and remains a key hub for national rail services to the west and north, as well as the Heathrow Express to Heathrow Airport. The station connects with Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City lines, providing access to central and west London.

Paddington Bear is a fictional character created by British author Michael Bond. Debuting in A Bear Called Paddington in 1958, the bear comes from “Darkest Peru” and travels to London, where he is adopted by the Brown family at 32 Windsor Gardens. He is known for his polite demeanor, a blue duffle coat, a hat, and a love of marmalade sandwiches.

In addition to books, Paddington has appeared in several television adaptations and two live-action feature films, Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017). The films emphasize family, friendship, and problem-solving, and have been acclaimed for their warmth and humor. The character’s enduring popularity has helped make Paddington a recognizable symbol in both children's literature and British popular culture.