Walking with Keilyn: Baker Street to Paddington... and beyond

Saturday January 4, 2025.

Today 'Keilyn and I were to be joined by a couple of friends, for our first walk through London of 2025. However, various events conspired against us, resulting in Keilyn and myself making the trip alone.

So, off we set, walking to Watford Metropolitan station as a short flurry of snow began to fall. We took the train to Baker Street, where, after purchasing warm drinks, we exited the station and headed north along Baker Street and on to Park Road, where we dropped down onto the Regent's Canal Towpath.

Having walked to Camden and King's Cross too many times we decided to walk in the opposite direction, heading towards Little Venice and from there Paddington.

The snow had by now stopped and the towpath was quiet, with us only seeing a few other walkers along the canal. We reached Lisson Moorings, where we admired the narrow boats and barges, before we reached the Maida Hill Tunnel, where we climbed the slippery metal steps to Aberdeen Place. 

We walked along Maida Avenue, rejoining the towpath at Warwick Bridge, and Little Venice. Surprisingly all of the cafes and kiosks were closed, so we continued beneath Westway towards Paddington Basin. 

A blue 'velvet' covered Paddington Bear statue provided a photo opportunity, before we reached Praed Street, where we stopped for some lunch at a KFC.

Suitably filled we headed inside Paddington Station in search of the Paddington Bear statue, which we soon found by looking out for the crowds. We waited patiently for the other children to have their photos taken before it was Keilyn's turn. 

We then headed further along the platform to Paddington's Bench, where another photo was taken. 

We then headed out of the station and headed along Praed Street to The Wild Table of Love, where Keilyn joined Dogman and Rabbitwoman with their guests of ten of the most endangered animals in the world. Just across Eastbourne Terrace, Maarten Baas' 'Man in a Clock' was busy painting hands inside the clock face.

Heading south down Westbourne Terrace we entered Kensington Gardens and the amazing Italian Gardens. Again, there were not too many people around so we made our way along the path, beside The Long Water, to the 'Peter Pan' statue.

From here we headed west towards the 'Physical Energy' statue and, from there, on to the Round Pond. It was here that we discovered the crowds who were eagerly waiting to enter Kensington Palace, so we continued along Studio Walk and turned down Palace Green towards Kensington High Street.

From here it was just a short walk to Melbury Road and Gnome Land, which we wanted to revisit. On our last trip Gnome Land was set for summer, with gnomes sunbathing, drinking and enjoying the warm weather. Today, the gnomes were not as plentiful, with the bar closed and a decorated Christmas Tree erected. I wonder what Gnome Land has planned for the Spring?

We then retraced our steps and visited the Design Museum. The building, itself, is beautifully designed and its cavernous exhibition spaces are filled with various products. Information boards tell the history of design and how things came about. From handmade items to mass produced items. Items built in small factories and shops to those churned out in large factory cities. It was fascinating to discover what many people take for granted.

Computers, record players, calculators, cars, bicycles, roundels, tube maps, cutlery, crockery, telephones and anything else that you can think of has been designed and modified. It was a wonderful museum that I will definitely be visiting again.

On leaving the museum we headed east, along Kensington High Street, and entered Japan House, which was another place that we had not visited.

One of the exhibitions that I was eager to see was the 'Looks delicious! Exploring Japan's food replica culture', so we made our way down to the basement and, after reading the notice, entered the exhibition. Here we discovered the history and techniques, that have changed throughout the years, of how these realistic replicas have evolved. 

Each food replica is made from hot coloured wax, cast from moulds and then painted by hand. In the 1970s, as demand increased, there was a shift from wax to PVC, which allowed for greater detail, but the manufacturing process remained the same. These replicas are commissioned one by one and it is down to the specific craftsperson to ensure that each dish looks as realistic and authentic as possible.

We wandered around the exhibition, admiring the skill of these works of art, before Keilyn entered the Bento kitchen area, where she created her own dish.

On leaving the exhibition, which was getting busier, we headed back to the ground floor, where we perused the various items for sale. Whisky, Sake, cutlery, clothing, books, toys and so much more.

With time getting on we left Japan House and headed along Kensington High Street to Kensington Gore, passing Lub's Green Hut Cafe, the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall, until we reached Hyde Park Corner. From here we continued along Piccadilly to Green Park station, from where we caught a train to Baker Street. 

At Baker Street we had plenty of time to purchase drinks and snacks, before our train arrived, whisking us back to Watford.

It was a great first walk, of 2025, where we saw and discovered new things, while revisiting other places.

I am already looking forward to our next walk.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 0.0 miles
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles
• Car - 0.0 miles
• DLR - 0.0 miles
• Ferry - 0.0 miles
• Overground - 0.0 miles
• River Boat - 0.0 miles
• Taxi - 0.0 miles
• Train - 0.0 miles
• Underground - 36 miles
• Walking - 11 miles