kids encyclopedia robot

Queensway, London facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Queensway
View N up Queensway from Bayswater tube station entrance.jpg
Looking along Queensway from Hyde Park down.
Part of B411
Namesake Queen Victoria
Maintained by Transport for London
Length 0.4 mi (0.6 km)
Location London, United Kingdom
Nearest tube station
Other
Known for
  • Whiteleys (Department Store)
Queensway Underground Station
Queensway Underground Station

Queensway is a lively street in Bayswater, a part of west London. It used to be called Queen's Road. This street is famous for its many shops, restaurants, cafés, and souvenir stores. You can also find some well-known high-street shops here. Queensway is considered one of the important shopping areas in Greater London. It is also part of a road route known as the B411 in the British road numbering system. Right now, Queensway is getting a big makeover with many new buildings and improvements being built.

What is the History of Queensway?

Bayswater and Lancaster Gate started as new living areas in London in the early 1800s. A road that looks like today's Queensway was on old maps. It was called Black Lion Lane and ran north from Bayswater Road. After 1837, it was renamed Queen's Road to honor Queen Victoria. She was born nearby at Kensington Palace. About a hundred years later, the name was changed to Queensway to make it more unique.

How Did Whiteleys Department Store Start?

Near the top of Queensway was Whiteleys, one of London's first department stores. It was opened by William Whiteley in 1867. In 1896, Queen Victoria gave the store a special award called a Royal Warrant. The outside of the building you see today was built in 1911. However, the inside was completely rebuilt in 1989.

What About the Church on Queensway?

The church of Our Lady Queen of Heaven is across from Princess Court. It became a Roman Catholic church in 1954. The building itself is much older, from 1868. It has a special old-fashioned design and was first a different type of church.

What Entertainment Can You Find on Queensway?

In recent years, Queensway has become a fun place for entertainment in London. The Queen's Ice & Bowl, which has London's biggest ice rink, was recently updated. This has helped bring more fun activities to the area. Queensway also has a busy shopping scene, with the Queensway Market growing a lot recently.

What's New on Queensway?

A family from Brunei, working with other companies, has bought a large part of Queensway. This area is close to Notting Hill and Kensington. They plan to make many new improvements. This includes the Queensway Estate, where the ice rink and Queensway Market are. They also bought the Whiteley's shopping center.

How to Get Around Queensway?

You can easily get to Queensway using the London Underground, also known as the tube. The Bayswater and Queensway tube stations are right on the street. Other nearby tube stations include Paddington station, Royal Oak, Westbourne Park, and Notting Hill Gate.

kids search engine
Queensway, London Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.