Fascinating Paddington London History Walking Tour (4K)

[@total.stranger]

Thank you for this video, John. I've never visited London, and am now too old and too poor to do so, so your walks are the next best thing to being there. My great-great grandmother was born on Bell Street, Lisson Grove, in 1842, and she was one of eleven children. In 1854, her eldest brother, who was 20, and her youngest brother who was not quite 2, both died within five days of each other from scarlet fever, and were buried in the same casket in St. Mary's churchyard. Your visit there - despite all the modern city noise going on around you - was much appreciated.

[@dodgyg3697]

Wet miserable Sunday night, but what can be better than a quiet pub, a fresh pint, headphones and a new walk ? Fantastic.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Brilliant

[@johnbristow8099]

I spent a pleasant hour sitting in Paddington Green a few years ago before catching my train home. A lovely little oasis.

[@Everywhere2]

I hope you don't mind me telling you again how superb your work is, John, and how charming you are.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thank you so much

[@davidcole8268]

I stayed in a dosshouse around Sussex Gardens for a couple of nights in the 70s when my student flatshare plans fell through. It’s seared into my memory and demonstrated just how ghastly homelessness is, even on short basis.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Sorry to hear you had to experience that David

[@seanjamescameron]

I once had a drink with Christine Keeler. We were in a theatre bar waiting for the new Andrew Lloyd-Webber show ‘Stephen Ward’ to finish. It was on the evening of its premiere. The same evening of the great accident at a theatre around the corner when parts of the ceiling fell on the audience and buses were turned into ambulances in the street outside. The roof had been affected by a few days of very heavy rain.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Sad occasion Sean but a great story- what was she like? Did you ask a million questions?

[@davidcole8268]

Wow I was bragging to someone today that I once had dinner with Richard Dawkins, but this certainly takes the cake. Respect!

[@francisjoussot3521]

Loved that John,l live in East Africa,but many years ago,l went to school in Paddington's Bell Street. Thanks for the memories all a million miles away from me now.

[@Slycockney]

I went to Rutherford, is that the same school?

[@francisjoussot3521]

@@Slycockney Yep thats the one,stayed there for 2 years,the only school I ever liked.

[@jeffreydurrant4838]

Red bus records I was signed to in 1981 Mungo Jerry, Bananarama, Imagination just a few of their famous artist

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Fantastic thanks for that Jeffrey - are you still playing?

[@edenjs1503]

Did you play in a band or solo? Would love to try and find some of your music online to take me down memory lane.

[@davidcole8268]

One of my university colleagues lived in Ray Dorset's former house in Virginia Water. For what it's worth!

[@darganx]

- Paddington Green police station was demolished around 2019, I think that's where the huge new 30+ floor apartment block is now. It was only 2nd in importance to Scotland Yard but now they're both gone. - The ancient 'Tyburn Stone' is actually now in the building across the Edgware Road from where you where, on the corner of Praed Street next to the Metropole Hotel, marking 1/2 a mile to the Tree. There was a lot more to discover in Paddington like the Almshouse opposite the church, which was built before the hospital, and Church Street itself has a lot of history. So many little pockets that could have been discovered with more time, including around Bishop's Bridge Road and the 'Brunel' parts of Paddington Station.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks for those notes!

[@brendascully5068]

Yes and the barge industry .the foundry in north wharf road.sarah siddons grave in paddington green had a cage round it you were on the wrong side of the green .metropolitan music hall edgware road.childrens hospital paddington green .this is a current video as st Mary's boarded up recently as for the police station if you had walked to the junction edgeware road you would see the police station being demolished .there are not many indigenous paddington green people living in the area now iam and I do😊

[@StevePinkus]

Nice video!! I love the Paddington area. Such a fascinating mix of different eras. Encapsulates what makes London such a fascinating and exhilarating city to visit and wonder.

[@petebrothwell2998]

Thanks John Took me back to the early 90's when I lived in that area. I have happy memories drinking in great pubs off the Edgware road, such as the Victoria and the Archers Tavern.

[@kellyspurgeon538]

Just back from my little walk on this first day of autumn here in Lawrence, Kansas. 95 degrees yesterday, 65 degrees today. Summer/Fall. Now enjoying your tour of Paddington. Thank you, John. kelly

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for that image of Kansas Kelly

[@frostfox1208]

Yes, thanks. From Washington

[@mickmcguire4571]

Excellent viewing john really enjoyed that 👍👍👍👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mick

[@IlfordRetro]

Nice little tour and bits of it I've not seen, despite going there plenty of times over the years. I've never even stopped to appreciate the site of the Tyburn Tree. The shot from 24:10 gives a moment to reflect on just how many executions took place in that spot, while life today whizzes by.

[@lindasueanderson8024]

I love walks where you discover places in or events that took place in London that are new to you as well

[@vwright1021]

Thanks John, for another fascinating trip down memory lane. As others have mentioned below, Paddington Police Stn is no more (soon to be luxury apartments). Back in the spring of 1981 a rather green , wet behind the ears lad from the sticks (me) attended Paddington Police stn for a selection interview to join the Met. It was my first solo trip to London and The police had arranged overnight accommodation in Sussex Gardens. That evening I went for a stroll and within yards of my hotel was accosted by a friendly lady of the night ! When I told her the reason for my visit she laughed ... and then offered me a discount ... just in case our paths might cross again but this time with me in Uniform. Six months later I was at Hendon and shortly afterwards posted to an area not far away ...But our paths never did cross again. Incidentally, though I didn't realise it at the time, Jack Warner, the actor who played Dixon of Dock Green, died that very spring, May 1981... and real officers from Paddington Police stn were his coffin bearers at his funeral. Thanks for the memories John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks for sharing those great memories

[@k.r.baylor8825]

Thanks for this lovely reminder of my fall 2015 London trip, which during I spent a lot of time around Paddington station. My ATM was located in the station, I drank enough pints at the Pride of Paddington, I used the Starbucks Wifi, and enjoyed the restaurants and fast food joints along London Street where a meal could be had on the cheap.

[@gabb1972]

Great to see a walk around Paddington. I grew up in the 80s near Church Street market as it's change so much. Padd green police station soon to be expensive flats as it's a shame you never went down Westbourne Terrace where I work as it's for me one of the most beautiful streets in London and the River Westbourne runs to this day underneath as was an open sewer back in it's day. I might even had walk past you as was around Paddington today,. Nice upload !

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks and reminded me that I need to walk the Westbourne- I crossed it a couple of times further north but never done the whole thing

[@icatz]

Haven't been over since 2008 and the Paddington area is unrecognizable.

[@marcpaters0n]

Big up John! 😊

[@Slycockney]

Well, where do I begin. Firstly John brilliant video thank you so much. I was born in St. Mary's hospital in 1955. I attended Paddington Green primary school as did my brother and sister. And believe it or not the headmaster's name was Perkins. Played in Paddington Green as a child hundreds of times. My Sister went to Sarah Siddons school which was on Harrow Road and was married in St. Mary's church. I also have to confess that I spent a night in Paddington Green police station when I'd had one too many at a Christmas outing when I was 18 and was scooped up by a police van on Praed Street. I just about remember trolley buses terminating on Paddington Green.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Brilliant - thanks for sharing those great memories

[@c.f.875]

@@JohnRogersWalksMuslims are destroying the country

[@Upe-f9c]

Love your walks. And the Paddington/Bayswater area is a great place.

[@annahemmings3437]

I recently cycled in London through Paddington and saw some of these sights. Excellent to hear their full history. Thank you !! X

[@Christina-ge3xr]

Love the unexpected and you always deliver 😊. Thank you for sharing your walk.

[@martaorduna7857]

I passed by the TYBUR TREE site many times but i never warned about it.I rented a hotel room in Queensway so that was my way to the center of LONDON.Thank you always to teach me a lot of London.Cheers from BUENOS AIRES.

[@howarddavies9932]

As ever a stimulating and interesting video - definitely one I will now do. Many thanks John.

[@jacquelinemacleod9699]

Another great walk, thanks John ! Full of interesting facts that I didn't know. George Shillibeer was a resident in the parish of Chigwell and buried there, in St Mary's Church (near to where I use to live). 1st London Omnibus was 4th July 1829. Look forward to your next walk ! Thanks again

[@milobell5525]

That afforded me a damned good wallow in nostalgia. I spent an awful lot of time wandering those streets in the 80's and I'm glad to see Praed st is just as grubby as ever. I haven't yet seen for myself that giant 'city' that's grown up between the hospital and the Harrow road but that's probably just as well. (Incidentally the police station was on the north west corner of that Edgware rd/Harrow rd junction. Maybe still is...)

[@COBBETT1215]

Thanks John. I've followed you channel for yonks. Love it. Just now I'm in hospital and your magical walks are both helping me escape the ward, and keeping me sane. I am eternally thankful to you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

So sorry to hear you're in hospital - glad the videos are helping

[@nedremalmo]

Takk!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks indeed - very kind. Cheers!!

[@likeakite]

I really enjoyed that walk...thanks John !

[@RedStickLouisiana]

I enjoyed seeing this interesting part of London. Thanks for showing it to us.

[@davidshearer8793]

Paddington was always where our family holidays started on the way to Cornwall. But here you are again opening our eyes to a world I didn’t know existed. A classic episode John - all that was missing was a hidden river! I shall be watching this again. BTW where does the name Praed come from in Praed Street?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks David. I think it must come from the Anglo Saxon name of the original settlement. I must walk the Westbourne soon that flows nearby

[@EdEditz]

Brilliant video as ever John. Always makes my day to find a new video from you in my inbox :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Ed

[@JulieTurner-z1e]

Always interesting and entertaining at the same time! Thanks, John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Julie

[@noelmcauliffe]

58 years ago I was born in St Marys Hospital, bit disappointed theres no plaque about that, nonetheless another great video. Cheers John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

We’ll have to sort that out Noel

[@Reg-j4n]

I thought you had to be born halfway up the wall to get a plaque... 🤔

[@edwardoleyba3075]

I was born there 70 years and two months ago. That plaque should be mine 😉

[@Reg-j4n]

@@edwardoleyba3075 halfway up the wall? 🤯

[@edwardoleyba3075]

@@Reg-j4n . I don’t remember! My certificate of birth just says; in the borough of blah, blah, blah etc, and it was inside the building, not “halfway up the wall”. My parents had standards! 😉

[@wordsSHIFTminds]

I was sent to Red Bus recording studios several times to pick up/deliver tapes for Bad Manners when I worked as a record company messenger for their label, Magnet Records, in the late 1970s, early 1980s.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing- fantastic, essential piece of the story

[@chrisbates7743]

First frame very pleased to see Granier is still going !

[@elizabethhammond5545]

Great walk! Thank you.

[@ZL54JK8]

Geoffrey Fletcher gets well-deserved recognition here. Another great writer on London localities was Tom Pocock, formerly of the Evening Standard. It was his book, 'London Walks' that triggered my own interest in exploring London. He was writing around 1970, and it was a topical book when I was first getting to know London. He was a compelling writer and had a real command of imagery: he referred to Exmouth Market as a "Cockney Cornucopia"! He wrote in other areas too. His biography of Nelson I found difficult to put down! Anyhow, having watched this video I now feel like refreshing my memory of Tom Pocock's chapter on Paddington in 'London Walks'.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I love that book - someone sent me a copy from the U.S. I've used it in two videos so far: Wapping kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWndgqtrn8-motUsi=U7TjVohmL9b3LrCv and Soho kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3mcpnWKbdOJrqcsi=k2Ps0LBD8sppiqsY

[@loneRider3910]

Well done, John, for introducing the youngsters to your channel near the end of the vlog. I hope they subscribe.

[@TTraveller3]

Excellent video! Wonderful memories of my favourite place in London!! 🏆🏆🏆🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@williamrobinson7435]

Paddington's a lovely bit of London I think. All Londoners feel at times as though they live in the smallest house, that's just part of life.. Informative, relaxing and enjoyable as ever! Nice one John. 🌟👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks William

[@sararichardson737]

Yeah “Big up John”. Thx John!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Very enjoyable and informative walk, showing that Paddington has so much more to offer than a railway station, a police station, a hospital - and Praed Street. Thank you.

[@markriley4665]

Like you, I have tended to travel through Paddington. This is a fascinating walk John and I love the mix of cultural histories you draw in. I did explore Church Street, Edgware Road and Marylebone a while ago and saw the Red Bus plaque. Duran Duran and The Jam Recorded there. There is also a Joe Strummer plaque nearby too. I also did a fascinating tour of the Pet Cemetery near Lancaster Gate which is well worth a look.

[@notanotherbottletop9892]

Brilliant John as always ....best nugget.

[@ashleysgaze]

Terrific walk John, with great insights. Highly enjoyable! ❤

[@4thEyeVision]

What a great walk thanks John

[@lesleybroome4530]

Wonderful. I really enjoyed that walk with you around Paddington. 😊

[@marty9011]

A very interesting walk. Lots of streets that come up in my reading which is the only way I know London. It was amazing to see the site of infamous Tyburn, a lot of history in that spot. Thank you.

[@BrianBrown-f9i]

The old police station as used in the Blue Lamp film stood about where the big roundabout at the foot of Bishops Bridge Road is. The building was pulled down to make way for all the road widening and of course the roundabout. The current Paddington police Station is more recent and I believe no longer used.

[@frostfox1208]

Great walk John, We fly to London on Sunday pm. Canterbury, Amsterdam, Manchester, Liverpool, Banbury all on the train. Reading a great book “The Railway Navvies” Thanks for the walk John

[@katesleuth1156]

Interesting video. Thank you.

[@andyl4565]

I stayed in Paddington on a visit to London in August and other than the Tyburn Tree I had no idea it had such an interesting past. Great video.

[@Tina-nw9ro]

Lovely walk John. The Milestone Society has the milestone as a recent move from the window of the bank/restaurant to the foyer of London Hilton Hotel.

[@stevebradley704]

Great stuff. If you ever find yourself in Newcastle.......2000 years of history. Give me a shout. Happy to give you a tour.

[@markaiello4220]

An overlooked part of London that has a charm many don't appreciate. And Khuttar for Iraqi food is amazing.

[@WalksInCamera]

Paddington Green Police Station has just been demolished apparently - explains why you couldn't see it! An interesting walk. Thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for the info

[@lesliegprice6652]

Great walk John , missed you last week , nice to join you again for a wonderful and informative walk, just finished your new book , really enjoyed it what a deep dive into post Olympic east London, i was captivated , especially by how people fought back against development , ah well London will always survive , catch you later my friend 🌈🙏💕

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much for that Leslie - really pleased that you enjoyed the book

[@annenewton5403]

That was fascinating. My Dad grew up in Paddington.

[@paulwilson7234]

Another excellent Sunday night video. 👌

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Paul

[@andrewtucker3943]

Managed to watch this finally, thank you as always for a lovely little walk around London. Even places I've been to so many times before always seem to have something new and interesting to find out about them. That "Discovering London Villages" book by John Wittich, is that the Shire publications one? He's written a whole load of those; Street Names, Off Beat Walks, Inns and Taverns, Parks and Squares and more. PS- Already got "The London Nobody Knows" on order...

[@sofiacat8070]

Worked at St Mary’s for a long while. Know the area quite well, but think I need to revisit as you have shown me some new areas.

[@sueamos3860]

This is very interesting, thank you

[@cjmorrisnz]

Thanks John. I had four days in a Sussex Gardens basement flat in late Feb 2020 opposite St James's Church. Great location. Should have toured the neighbourhood more by the look of it. Still got to see lots of London as usual. Great walk and heaps of inspiration for my next visit. Love your work!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks

[@alanarmer8069]

Great video again John 📗📗📗📗

[@daveconyard8946]

Thank You John, Stay safe .

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Dave

[@barrycoppock]

You are correct in that Church street is a traditional market during the week.

[@2Sugarbears]

That was fun. Thanks John.

[@kevincross9206]

Takes me back to my first job when I left school, worked for a company that had a contract with Westminster City Council. Certainly saw some “interesting” life in and around the Paddington area!!!

[@AmandaBrown-nu7wo]

Another great walk john,like many others over the years just been in and out of station,lots to take in on this walk great facts .will prob watch again.

[@petewebb6952]

That was a good one John thanks. I lived and worked variously around that district. There are surprising a lot of council estates in that area which didn’t get seen. Also places like Lisson Grove, Abbey Road, Lords Cricket ground… yes it’s an interesting mixed area. Usually a Conservative run borough heavily into privatisation.

[@annloizou1073]

What a journey down memory lane. I lived in St Michael's Street, had my tonsils out at Paddington Green Children's Hospital (which was the red bricked building on the Green which you missed), played in the playground on Paddington Green and trained as a physiotherapist at St Mary's Hospital. Also, I knew John Wittich, who lived in St Michael's Street ( but he was a grownup when I was a child). I went to a primary school in St Michael's Street where our lovely headmaster had only one arm which he had lost in St Michael's Church (which was also on St Michael's Street then) after a bomb hit it during the war and was still a bombsite when I was a child in the 60's. We used the broken pieces of roof slate to do our markings for hopscotch in the street. We used to go shopping in Church Street market on a Saturday for fruit , veg, the butcher's etc. Thank you for your walk and bringing back memories.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for sharing those great memories Ann. Love that John Wittich lived right there!

[@michaeldillon3113]

Sir Alexander Fleming is widely celebrated for his lucky discovery of penicillin with which he did very little . It was Florey and Chain who turned the discovery into a practical lifesaving antibiotic using extreme inventiveness and dollops of make do and mend . Well done chaps . Ps interesting and informative walk . Thanks. ✌️.

[@Steve-sl2xp]

Thanks for heading out west! Really enjoyed the vid!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Steve. Planning a few more out West before the end of the year

[@noodleperson17]

Was there recently after walk around Church St antiques market on 15 Sept. Sang (what I can remember of) Pretty Polly Perkins when we came across the Green. Yes, what was Red Bus studio? Alfie’s is a crazy rabbit warren stuffed full of antiques shops/ booths with nice rooftop cafe.

[@rare_medium]

I enjoyed Paddington Station this summer and taking the Great Western Railway while thinking about Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The detail on the ironwork at the station is worth a close look. Nice Victorian ornament. Brunel's grave is at Kensal Green Cemetery. A walk there would be cool.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Here’s my video of the Counters Creek which starts in Kensal Green cemetery kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ6pnoV9aN-ShJosi=0f3yUxeV_SvC4FlX

[@rare_medium]

@@JohnRogersWalks That was great! No wonder I missed it, I was at Kensal Green the same time you released the video. I can recommend that BBC Experience over at the Earl's Court-Prince of Wales Pub area.

[@Mick_Holland]

Marvellous film John, thanks👍🏼

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Mick

[@nadsgee7245]

Another wonderful walk and history, like you, I only use Paddington station as a link to get to other parts of the country.

[@annyaboyd3141]

I used to live on Lisson Grove so this is great trip down memory lane!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

wonderful

[@Terry-ed1pi]

Nice walk enjoyed that

[@dannybb2000]

great video. 😅 funny ending

[@keithprater310]

Enjoyable and informative.another interesting walk.the blue lamp had a bit of swearing in it when pc Dixon was killed unusual for that time.stay safe.

[@garygee1468]

excellent walk very interesting

[@mickwatkins1604]

I was a sub-editor for the Paddington and Marleybone Mercury in the early noughties (although I'm a Ramsgate lad). The street names brought back fond memories from that time, cheers 👍

[@kevinell6605]

Paddington green police station was at the very corner of Edgware Road and Harrow Road, hone in the last few years. Shame, but also at that junction used to be the subway that was called Joe Strummer subway, front man with the Clash Punk Group. Thankfully you kept your phone at Marble Arch standing. It can be quite challenging at times !

[@ralphwinter6421]

Nice one John, wonderful vid...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ralph

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Thanks

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Thanks. N GT History Too( life was never easy. )N laughs

[@kazzam8514]

I once saw Boy George/Culture Club at the Red Bus studios back in the 1980’s and my friend’s parents use to run the Traders Inn.. that was when the area was very different to now. Great video John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Kazzam

[@milkmanofhumankindness5118]

Good stuff john, lancaster gate, home of the football tribunal.

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Great - saw some of that area back in July on my visit to London.

[@paulasser1589]

The police station you mentioned, I believe has shut down. It was on the corner of Edgware Rd and Harrow RD just before Marylebone flyover

[@sararichardson737]

I used to live nearby. I had Paddington Children’s Hosp as a studio for a year. Bell st used to be a great junk market, manned by the porters from Phillips auction House on Lisson grove on Saturdays. Looking on from. abroad. Coming over a bit homesick.😢

[@CthulhuInc]

nice one, john! gainsborough painted a [now] famous portrait of m. siddons - i have a large framed print of it on my wall 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ah wonderful- I shall look it up

[@davedisko6211]

Dury Lane? I used to know a guy with curly red hair who lived there for years he was a baker.

[@JohnC2009Edin]

A good walk! I like the look of the market..

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John

[@robertcollins1583]

Fabulous video as ever, John! Kamilia and I head to Edgware Road every few weeks to get Lebanese food. Our recommendation would be the shawarma or falafel wraps at Cafe Helen about halfway between the Marble Arch end and Edgware Road Station!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for the recommendation Robert

[@captainboing]

Praed Street! My Favourite book shop; the long gone/lamented "Modern Book Company" hours and £££ spent in there in the early 80s

[@davidcole8268]

There was also Marvin Books - they purveyed merchandise of a rather different kind ..

[@mikebassy]

Red Bus studio's, remember going in that studio in about 1985 with my mate Errol Kennedy who was in the band Imagination . They were with Red Bus . They must have had a lot of other articles recording there ?