Paddington Green, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paddington Green |
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London borough | |
Ceremonial county | Greater London |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | LONDON |
Postcode district | W2 |
Dialling code | 020 |
Police | Metropolitan |
Fire | London |
Ambulance | London |
EU Parliament | London |
UK Parliament | |
London Assembly | |
Paddington Green is a lovely green space in the heart of London, England. It's found in the City of Westminster, right next to the busy Edgware Road and the Westway road. This area is the oldest part of Paddington. It was made a special "conservation area" in 1988, which means it's protected to keep its historical look and feel. Long ago, many big Georgian-style houses surrounded the Green, but today only two of these old homes are still standing on the east side.
Exploring Paddington Green's Past
Paddington Green has a rich history. It includes parts of the old villages of Paddington and Lilestone. These areas became very popular in the late 1700s. People liked them because they felt like a quiet village but were still close to the exciting West End of London. In 1829, a new bus service, called an omnibus, started here. It was created by George Shillibeer and made it easier for people to travel to the City of London.
St Mary's Church and Its Famous Graveyard
The St Mary on Paddington Green Church is an important landmark. It is part of the Parish of Little Venice. The church standing today is actually the third one built on this spot. It was designed by John Plaw and finished in 1791.
The church's graveyard is now known as St Mary's Gardens. It holds the graves of many famous people who lived nearby. One notable person buried here is the actress Sarah Siddons. You can also find monuments for sculptor Joseph Nollekens and lexicographer Peter Mark Roget. A lexicographer is someone who writes dictionaries. Part of the graveyard was removed to make space for the Westway flyover, a raised road. The graves that were moved were reburied in Mill Hill Cemetery.
Important Buildings Around the Green
Several interesting buildings are located around Paddington Green. The former Paddington Green Children's Hospital is one of them. It was built in 1883 and served children until 1987. Today, this building has been turned into apartments. It stands on the north-east corner of the Green, on Church Street. This building is a Grade II listed building, which means it's recognized for its special historical or architectural importance. Also, the modern City of Westminster College is located at 25 Paddington Green. It was designed by the famous architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen.