Paddington in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Austrian Centre
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 23, 2026
1. Austrian Centre Marker
Home of the Austrian Centre
March 1939 - January 1947
Providing support for several thousand refugees in Britain and working for a free and democratic Austria
Erected 2016 by Westminster City Council, The Future Fund of the Republic of Austria.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the City of Westminster Green Plaques series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 16, 1939.
Location. 51° 31.023′ N, 0° 10.913′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Paddington. It is on Westbourne Terrace south of Bishops Bridge Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 Westbourne Terrace, City of Westminster, England W2, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alexander Herzen (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Windrush Generation (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Paddington Bear (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); MacMillan House, Paddington Station (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Susan Lawrence (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Margery Allingham
this page online
Also see . . . The Austrian Centre (A Light in Dark Times exhibit). Excerpt:
The Austrian Centre opened its doors on 16 March 1939, a year after the annexation of Austria. Set up to provide support for refugees, foster Austrian culture and promote relations with Britain, the centre offered a wide range of services including a cafι, hostel, library, performance space, facilities for mending shoes, a tailoring workshop and a weekly newspaper.(Submitted on May 5, 2026.)
The Austrian Centre is inextricably linked to Austrian exile. By the end of 1940, 7,200 Austrian refugees had signed up for an annual membership, about a quarter of all Austrian refugees in the UK. From its first premises in London - 124 Westbourne Terrace W2 - it expanded to include two more houses in the street, as well as branches in North London (Swiss Cottage 1941, and Finsbury Park 1943) and Glasgow (1944).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 23, 2026
2. Austrian Centre Marker - wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
