Streets

Within the station itself almost every commodity can be acquired. Food Halls, restuarants, bars, fashion, hotel accomodation all are there for the arriving traveller. From the station one emerges into Praed Street so named after the chairman of the Grand Junction Canal Company and here too is the entrance to the Metropolitan Railway Station, London’s first underground railway. Opposite is the Hilton Paddington Hotel which was formerly the Great Western Royal Hotel.



Walking along Praed Street one comes across the world renowned St.Mary’s Hospital where in 1928 Sir Alexander Fleming discovered and gave to the world the wonder drug penicillin for which he shared the Nobel prize for physiology and medicine in 1945. Continuing towards Bayswater one gazes in awe at the once magnificent Eastbourne Terrace and Gloucester Terrace. These grand boulevards still tree-lined and majestic have been sullied by the motor car and other transport. The once great mansions are now mostly flats and apartments, but their grandeur is still evident. as too are the many mews and converted stables.