Luggage storage at Paddington Station: your 2023 guide
So, you’ve just arrived at Paddington Station in London. Perhaps you’ve come all the way here from Heathrow Airport, as it’s the last stop on the Heathrow Express. You might also be passing through one of its two separate stations (they are confusingly shown as one station on the underground map, and have the same name, but are not linked). The Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines all pass through Paddington. You might also have come to the station to hop on a train to anywhere in southwest England – if you’re going to the gorgeous countryside of Cornwall, Devon, or South Devon from London for a day trip, you’re likely to leave from Paddington station. Whatever your plans may be, if you have large bags that you won’t need on the next leg of your journey, or you can’t store your luggage at one of the hotels you’ve picked why not put them in luggage storage? There are many different services to store bags at Paddington Station, so in this article, we’ll discuss what you might find to be the best storage option. Paddington Station, also known as London Paddington, is a large railway station located on Praed Street in the district of Paddington, West London. Since 1838, trains of the Great Western Railway have terminated here. The modern station mostly dates from 1854 and was designed by the famous engineer and inventor Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of the key figures of the industrial revolution. It is also home to the famous statue of Paddington Bear, the beloved children’s book character who famously arrived at the station from Peru with a suitcase and a love of marmalade. The statue is located on Platform 1 and is a popular spot for photos.
In addition to its iconic architecture and cultural significance, Paddington Station is also a major transport hub, connecting London to destinations throughout the UK and beyond. The station serves several lines, including the Great Western Railway, which operates to destinations such as Bristol, Cardiff, and Oxford. It also serves as a terminus for the Heathrow Express, a direct train service that connects the station to London Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes. For those looking to grab a bite to eat or spend time doing some shopping, Paddington Station has plenty of options. The station features a range of shops and restaurants, including popular chains like Pret a Manger and Starbucks, as well as local eateries like the Mad Bishop & Bear pub. There is also a VIP lounge, like mini hotels, complete with comfortable sofas, showers, TV rooms, and bars.
Which London stations have luggage lockers?
Most major London train stations, such as Paddington, Victoria, Liverpool Street, Charing Cross, Kings Cross, St Pancras International, Waterloo, and Euston, offer left luggage. Smaller stations around London, as well as underground ones, generally do not provide luggage storage facilities. However, using one of the main luggage storage apps, like Nannybag, Bounce, and LuggageHero, you will be able to store bags pretty much anywhere around the city. So, if you’re traveling in or out of the main London hubs, you will find luggage lockers easily to store an item. However, as will be discussed below, some of the other services, like Nannybag, may be a better option for you than the storage lockers provided by the station. Top 5 things to do around Paddington Station Want to make the most of a day in the area around Paddington Station? You’re in luck, because there are many things to do and see in West London! Here are five locations you should see if you’re spending the day in the area, or have a little time to spare – do these completely hands-free once you have left your bags in storage!:
1. Visit Little Venice
Located just a fifteen-minute walk from Paddington Station, Little Venice is a picturesque canal-side area with fun pubs, restaurants, and narrow boats. Take a stroll along the canal or hop on a canal boat tour for a unique experience.
2. Explore Hyde Park
One of London’s largest and most famous parks is Hyde Park located right beside Paddington Station. Take a picnic and relax on the green lawns or rent a bike and cycle around the park’s trails.
3. Check out the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
Located within St Mary’s Hospital, where penicillin was discovered, this museum tells the story of Alexander Fleming’s life and work. Admission is free, you don’t have to book, and it’s right beside the station.
4. Shop at Oxford Street
One of the most famous shopping destinations in the world, Oxford Street is just a few stops away on the London Underground to get to its center or walk around twenty minutes to Marble Arch, at the corner of Hyde Park, where Oxford Street begins. If you’re looking to do some shopping in London, this is a must-visit.
5. See the Wallace Collection
This beautiful house in Manchester Square contains an amazing collection of 18th and 19th-century European art. There are also rooms containing some fascinating armor and weaponry from around the world.
Services available at Paddington Station
There’s everything you might need before or after a train trip at the station. Your fundamental requirements are catered to, including various amenities such as free public WiFi, telephones, restrooms, baby changing facilities, showers (costing £5, on platform 5) a ticket office, and multiple ticket machines located throughout the station. The station’s left luggage service, managed by the Excess Baggage Company, is responsible for lost property and can be found at platform 12. There’s also a wide range of places to eat, with locations from Burger King to BarBurrito, to Wasabi Sushi. There are many cafés for a nice hot drink and pastry, and many shops selling all sorts of items, from Paddington Bear memorabilia to flowers to jewelry at Oliver Bonas and clothes at Fatface. Anything you need will be here! There’s a left luggage service run by Excess Baggage Company on platform 12 to drop an item in storage.
Storage solutions at Paddington Station
Get ready to store your luggage in various ways at Paddington Station! The official baggage storage service at the station is operated by Excess Baggage Company, which offers benefits such as flexible options for luggage size and duration of storage, and secure lockers. However, this convenience comes at a price. The rates at Paddington Station range from £7.50 for up to 3 hours to £30.00 for up to 72 hours. A full day costs £15 per bag.
But don’t worry, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can always try luggage storage apps that can help you find a nearby location. One example is LuggageHero, which charges an hourly rate of £1.29 but has a daily rate of £8.95 per item, making them more expensive than other competitors. Some other services like Bounce and Stasher may seem cheaper but beware of hidden fees that may surprise you at checkout.
For the best value, we recommend using Nannybag’s service. With a flat rate of €6 per item per day, you can store your luggage at a nearby and secure partner location, without any hidden charges. Nannybag also provides financial protection of up to €1000 in the unlikely event of any mishaps. The reservation process is straightforward, and travelers have given it positive reviews for its convenience and helpfulness.
Download the best travel app!
With this in mind, why not download Nannybag’s app, available on Google Play and the App store? For almost any city that you visit, you’ll find partner storage locations available to drop off an item. It’s also extremely user-friendly. Just enter your current position, and a map will show you all the nearby partner left luggage locations, or “Nannies”. Select one of these locations, pick a drop-off time, book for only €6 per bag per day, and enjoy! As you explore central London without any burden, you can be assured of the safety and security of your bags as it is tightly secured with a biodegradable safety seal.
FAQ
What are Paddington’s opening hours?
Paddington Station’s opening times are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Are there free restrooms in Paddington Station?
Yes, and the restrooms in the station are open 24 hours. Find them on platform 1 and platform 12.
How accessible is Paddington Station?
All entrances and platforms are step-free. During daytime hours, there’s a free passenger assistance service. Both sets of toilets, at platforms 1 and 12, have disabled access toilets.
How much does luggage storage cost in Paddington Station?
The station’s left luggage service, run by the Excess Baggage Company, charges £15 per day per bag, while Nannybag only charges £6 for luggage storage per item.
Which lines serve Paddington Tube Station?
The London Underground services that stop at Paddington Tube Station are the Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines.
Where is Paddington bear?
The statue of the beloved book and film character Paddington Bear is located on platform 1.
What are the best hotels near Paddington Station?
There are plenty of good hotels to be found near the station. The Hotel Indigo is located in a beautiful Victorian building and is chic and comfortable, while The Hilton Paddington is, like most hotels in this famous group, luxurious and glamorous.
Hit the comment section if you have more questions about luggage storage at Paddington train station and how to travel there.