Paddington idea for late night wait

[MigralevePink]

Not sure that title is very clear!

Around Easter, I am travelling out of Paddington on a late night train. I’m arriving at Euston and will have my tween with me who is slightly nervous in cities! I don’t want to cut it too fine crossing London, plus I may be forced (by price!) to get a train arriving several hours too early into Euston. Obviously I can get a meal somewhere, however, I need to fill the time and be safe until 10.30pm
when we can use the station lounge.

any smart ideas of what we could do to fill the time and stay safe?

Walk up to Granary Square, get some food and then get a taxi or the circle line from Kings Cross to Paddington

10.30pm isn’t “late night” by London standards, and everywhere is perfectly safe at that time (and usually pretty busy).

Eat marmalade sandwiches..... (I'm sorry I couldn't help myself)

I guess it is ‘late’ in terms of child friendly activities. Also, it will be dark at 8 which may limit opportunities for strolls in the park.

😂 not such a daft suggestion; there is a Paddington trail I believe!

See a film at the Everyman Maida vale

Thank you - I will look at that.

Going from Euston Station to Paddington Station is not "crossing London" 😂 Bless you. They're quite close to each other.

Madam Tussaud's is slap bang between them.

ETA: Also the Planetareum. Which is bascially the same place as Madam Tussaud's.

ETAA: The Planatereum is now part of Madam Tussaud's, I see. There are cool things to see in it.

lol! Check out the out of towner! The last visit to London I actually had to google how to buy a tube ticket! I may need to refresh on that even. It is a 50 min walk on google maps though so not exactly a hop, skip and jump with luggage.

Madame Tussaud’s says it’s shuts at 3pm so not good to us. I can see though that Harrods is open until 9…

You do not want to go all the way down to Harrods if you are worried about "crossing London". There are nice hotels between Euston and Paddington.

And these days you can just do contactless for tubes and buses.

Wellcome collection
British library
Harry Potter shop at King’s Cross station if dc is interested
Dinner in Kings Cross

Exactly how much time do you need to kill?

Not sure yet as I only have the outbound leg from Paddington leaving 11.45pm booked. The leg down to Euston hasn’t released tickets yet. Could end up arriving about 3pm plus or minus 2 hours. For the afternoon (if we are there before 5), I am thinking the wellcome collection, although it appears to have changed somewhat since the late 90s! @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Paddington will still be really busy at that time with the various food places still open as well as the supermarkets and Smiths. There are lots of chain restaurants near by too. But somewhere like the cinema might be the best way of passing a few hours

Do you have to travel out of Paddington at 1145? By the time you’ve thought of ways to kill time from your about 3pm arrival, and got some food, and paid for the station lounge you mention you could probably end up spending more than just booking train tickets for a more convenient time of day

Perhaps your tween would like ice skating and bowling in Queensway? Perhaps you can leave luggage at Paddington?

We are getting the Cornish Riviera express sleeper.

This is a good point tbh. It’s a long time to kill, especially with luggage and then another journey ahead and a child.

Also, the Wellcome would kill only an hour, tops, and the quality of exhibitions varies. The reading room is perfect if you just want a rest for half an hour though.

Just get the daytime train, London to Penzance is only about 5hrs on the train and will probably end up cheaper and easier

There is a left luggage at Paddington but I'd suggest using one of the apps and leaving it a hotel at KX and then head up into granary square as suggested up thread. Loads of shops and restaurants. Also worth looking to see if there is anything on at the Lightroom. Film is a good idea. Then get the pink/yellow tube line directly to Paddington. The mezzanine area is the nicest place to wait or you could upgrade to a first class ticket out and use the lounge which is fairly basic but OK.

Apologies @MigralevePink if my earlier post about it not being late for London seemed a bit snippy, it wasn’t meant that way.

Have you thought about going to the theatre? Your child might enjoy a proper West End show and the timing should work.

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Paddington is 15mins on the tube from Euston. Go straight there and use one of the luggage services to get them to hold your bag for the day. Then go off and do what you like!! There will be loads on around Easter, often the galleries/museums are open late. Then go for a lovely dinner (not around Paddington, there aren’t many nice restaurants), and it will be time for your train! 2230 definitely isn’t late by London standards!

It’s kind of the whole point to the trip and the only reason for going into London. Also, now booked! My child is a tween and we are in a sweet spot where they cost less than they will in a few years but are able to stay up later/be sensible (despite some additional needs). This is a little adventure for us whilst he is still happy to hang with his old mother and share
space!

we already have access to the first class
lounge as it comes as standard with a sleeper but only from 10.30. I guess if we get desperate we could ask to go in the lounge early. otherwise thanks for the suggestions.