Spring in Paddington and Beyond

The much-awaited spring is finally, almost upon us. With it comes a handful of bank-holiday weekends and a chance to properly enjoy London at its finest. Even better news, if you're visiting us at The Pilgrm in April or May 2023, you can use the code SPRING when booking to enjoy £20 to spend on drink during your stay. Find out more here.

For those who are looking for the best places to enjoy the new-found sunshine, we've put together a guide on the best places in Paddington and beyond to undo all of our previous months of darkness.

Hyde Park
One of London’s most famous parks is just a 10-minute walk from The Pilgrm. Housing the Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, home to Speaker’s Corner, the Serpentine Lake (think open water swimming, rowing and pedal boats) and the Serpentine Gallery, Hyde Park is more than just a green space. Look out for the Royal Horses which are taken out to exercise in the park each morning.

Norfolk Square Gardens and Talbot Square Gardens are also nearby picnic spots, with deck chairs, ping pong, and giant chess in the warmer months.

Regent’s Canal
Also on our doorstep, running through Paddington and stretching all the way to East London, is the famous Regent's Canal and the picturesque area of Little Venice, complete with colourful canal boats, Canadian geese and swans. You can take a canal boat from Little Venice to Camden, hire your own boat from GoBoat, or even test out your balancing skills by hiring a paddle board from Active360 (seasons permitting). If you’re just after a gentle meander, the canal path provides a great way to explore on foot.

London Zoo
Family trip? Make time to include a visit to one of London’s most well-known attractions and the world's oldest scientific zoo. Situated within our neighbouring Regent’s Park, London Zoo is only a 15-minute taxi or a leisurely 40-minute walk away for those who prefer to work on their step-counts. It’s worth checking their daily programmes for feeding times and their Meet the Keeper sessions.

London Shell Co & The Grand Duchess
Seafood and sunshine go hand in hand, and even better when enjoyed whilst aboard one of London’s first floating British seafood restaurants. London Shell Co. serves the finest British Seafood from two barge boats in Central London; The Prince Regent which cruises, and The Grand Duchess which remains static. The beautifully restored canal boats are both based in Paddington Basin, a short walk away from The Pilgrm. What an idyllic way to spend a spring evening. (We recommend booking with as much notice as possible).

Pergola Paddington
For a local rooftop experience, Pergola Paddington is described as a ‘leafy outdoor food court’, it offers a mix of everything from Vietnamese barbecue from the guys at Mam, to towering burgers from Patty & Bun, and plenty of other choices.

The Lyric Bar & Grill, Hammersmith 
Just a couple of tube stops away from The Pilgrm, The Lyric offers both a prestigious theatre and a spacious rooftop bar. A picture-perfect spring evening starts with drinks on their leafy terrace, followed by a newly launched, critically-acclaimed show.

Underbelly Festival
Thinking ahead to April and slightly further afield from our west London digs, now’s the time to plan your trip to London for the infamous Underbelly Festival. A mix of live entertainment, comedy, cabaret, music, dancing, and alfresco eating and drinking in South Bank and Earl's Court, that runs from April until the end of the summer. The festival is easily accessible from The Pilgrm, being 15 minutes via the tube to Embankment station.

So, whether you're joining us for a flying visit or looking to enjoy a slower paced break in the capital, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the sunshine in Paddington and our surrounding neighbourhoods - let's just hope it turns up and stays for a while.

To book your stay with us, click here and enjoy £20 to spend on drinks when you use the promo code SPRING for stays in April & May.