• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Top 10 London / Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Maida Vale

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Maida Vale

Oct 25, 2018 By John Rabon

An upscale neighborhood that’s part of the City of Westminster, Maida Vale is a largely residential neighborhood, but it’s not all townhomes and flats.  There’s actually quite a lot of history in Maida Vale such as the name itself being derived from John Stuart, Count of Maida, who earned his title in the Napoleonic Wars with a victory in the Battle of Maida, Italy.  You may also recognize it from the 2013 film About Time. There’s also quite a lot of fun things to do here, whether you want to walk in the footsteps of the greats or take in a show.  We’ve laid out our top ten favorite things to do in and near Maida Vale.  You can let us know your own favorites in the comments.

Alan Turing Blue Plaque

Alan Turing was one of the most influential people in computer science.  During World War II, he was responsible for devising the computer that broke the Enigma machine used by the Germans.  If you’re a Turing or WWII fan, you’ll want to stop by 2 Warrington Crescent where he was born.  The blue plaque here commemorates his birth and is a great starting point if you want to tour places in London associated with him.

Street Art

Street art is one of the best parts of any city, and Maida Vale certainly has its share of great works on buildings throughout the neighborhood.  One of the best examples is by artist Fin DAC, who was commissioned by kitchen and bathroom shop Day True to create a mural on the shop’s outside wall for its first anniversary.  Be sure to take special note of other works as you wander the streets of Maida Vale.

Everyman Cinema

Everyman Cinema is a chain that creates a cozy moviegoing experience for viewers whether they’re there to see a blockbuster or an independent feature.  The vintage interior is just one of the charms of Everyman’s Maida Vale location, which also offers a good selection of food and drink while you watch.  Be sure to check the schedule before you go and find something that piques your interest.

Canal Café Theater

For more entertainment, you can check out this performance venue near Regent’s Canal.  While it puts on live acts regularly, the café is best known as a comedy venue and has launched the careers of everyone from John Oliver to the League of Gentlemen.  The theater is members only, but it’s super easy to join as they just add a small charge onto your ticket and then issue you a membership card.

Puppet Theater Barge

Found on Regent’s Canal during the summer months, Puppet Theater Barge is exactly what it says on the tin.  This fifty-seat venue has been in operation since 1982 and regularly puts on classic children’s tales with its marionettes.  Whether you go with children or as adults, it’s wonderful to take in this ancient art form.

Maida Vale Studios

Maida Vale Studios was largely used by the BBC as sound recording studios for many years, home to live music performances and radio dramas for BBC Radio stations.  The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was created here in 1958 housed in Maida Vale Studios for forty years, creating some of the most memorable sounds in British television and radio.  The BBC doesn’t do tours of the studios, but you can book tickets for a recording there.  Just make sure you do it before 2023, as the Beeb has announced it will close the studios that year.

Paddington Recreation Ground

The largest park in the City of Westminster, Paddington Recreation Ground bills itself as the “earliest public recreation ground of its kind in London,” having been born in 1860 when the local church established a cricket ground here.  Today it’s filled with multiple sports fields for track, football, and tennis, as well as plenty of space for other recreational activities and a gym.

Lord’s Cricket Grounds

Also known as Lord’s, the cricket grounds are the third such sporting location founded by Thomas Lord in 1814.  Lord’s Pavilion is the oldest structure on the site, having been constructed during the Victorian period.  If you’re not all that interested in cricket and don’t want to take in a match, Lord’s does offer tours, a museum, and a dining club.

Abbey Road Studios and Crossing

Perhaps one of the most famous locations in music, Abbey Road Studios was the site of The Beatles recording many of the best-known albums.  Other artists who recorded here include Cliff Richard, Glenn Miller, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, and more.  The zebra crossing outside helped cement the studio as an icon after the Beatles used it for the album cover for the album of the same name.  It’s not uncommon for people to recreate the famous photo, but keep in mind that Abbey Road is still a busy street for cars.  You can also leave your mark on their graffiti wall and visit the gift shop.

Little Venice

Stretching over Maida Vale and Paddington, Little Venice gets its name from the canals and the boats that line the waterways throughout this part of London.  Containing many gardens, restaurants, cafes, and other fun locations, it can make for an excellent walk or something to experience as you travel to your next activity.  It’s definitely the first place you should visit and provides a great gateway to everywhere else on this list.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Featured, Guides, Top 10 London

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judith Warrington says

    Oct 25, 2018 at 11:45 am

    Here’s another spot to add to your Maida Vale list. Stop by the bar in the Warrington Hotel, 93 Warrington Crescent. It is a fabulous example of Art Nouveau decor!

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
  • English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
  • Exploring The Cosmic House in London
  • Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
  • New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
  • Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
  • The Fiver:  Five Live-Action Children’s Shows Set in London
  • In Pictures: Winter Lights festival returns to London for first time since 2020
  • Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys

Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in