Pack your marmalade sandwiches (duffel coats non-compulsory) – in case you’re questioning the place to seek out Paddington Bear in London with children, I’ve tracked down all of the important places for followers of the loveable bear from Darkest Peru.
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Whilst you can not observe the Paddington path, which noticed 50 Paddington bear statues dotted throughout London to have a good time the discharge of the primary film in 2014, you possibly can take a look at the continued Pawprint path to seek out a number of present statues.
There are additionally Paddington Bear strolling excursions, Paddington themed afternoon tea and places from each the books and the flicks to identify – not forgetting Paddington station itself, in fact.
Purchase Paddington’s Information to London to have the bear himself introduce you to town, together with this mini-guide to Paddington’s London
See the Paddington statues
Begin your Paddington-themed go to to London by discovering the Paddington statues dotted across the metropolis, beginning (in fact) on the station which gave him his title.
Paddington station
For followers of Paddington Bear (and who isn’t?), you possibly can’t miss a go to to Paddington Station, the place the furry hero of the books was first discovered by the Browns and acquired his title.
The lifesize bronze statue with the label asking individuals to take care of this bear is again in its standard dwelling by Platform 1, after a short stint close to the Praed Road entrance, between Platforms 9 and 10.
The station can be dwelling to the Paddington bench, the place children can sit subsequent to him and pose for images – head over in the direction of the Paddington store to seek out it.
The Pawprint path
The station can be the place to begin for the Pawprint Path – three trails, the truth is, every with one of many Paddington statues from the 2014 assortment dotted across the metropolis.
Decide up your free map from the Paddington store within the station and head off on one of many three ‘adventures’. Or all three, in fact.
Journey One: Canalside Views to London Zoo takes you to the Grand Union Canal, the place you possibly can spot Bearing Up, a blue flock Paddington tucked beneath a bridge, as you wander previous the barges and string of cafes.
This explicit statue is now again once more, after a fast restoration of his fur
The route leads you on to Little Venice and past, the place you might hop onto the Waterbus to Camden Lock, which passes London Zoo – preserve your eyes open for monkeys and painted canines (although you gained’t spot bears en route.
For extra issues to do in Camden with children, take a look at my prime picks
Journey Two: Boating, Bears and Bridges leads the other method alongside the canal to Paddington Basin, the place you’ll spot Brick Bear as you head over in the direction of Service provider Sq..
Time your go to for Wednesdays and Fridays at midday and you may watch the fan bridge elevate too, in addition to trying out the Floating Pocket Park (mini inexperienced areas which bob on the water).
Journey Three: Ping Pong, Ponies and Peter Pan results in Norfolk Sq. Gardens – briefly dwelling to a particular exhibition of statues made with Lego-style bricks in summer time 2022 – the place you possibly can spot Paddingtonscape, as Paddington tries his paw at some chess.
Should you’re visiting exterior the summer time months, he sensibly hibernates within the Hilton London Paddington as an alternative.
Maintain strolling and the route takes you to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the place you possibly can see the Two Bears fountain close to Lancaster Gate and the Italian Gardens within the northern finish of the park. Not Paddington, admittedly, however a bonus bear by no means goes amiss.
Paddington Inexperienced
For a much less well-known statue of Paddington, head to St Mary’s Churchyard at close by Paddington Inexperienced.
You’ll discover him commemorated right here along with his creator Michael Bond, one of many Sustrans portrait benches dotted across the nation – the churchyard additionally options two different locals, nurse Mary Seacole and mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing.
Leicester Sq.
Whereas a lot of the Paddington statues cluster round Paddington station, you will discover him proper within the centre of London too.
There’s additionally a statue of Paddington along with his well-known marmalade sandwiches among the many statues in Leicester Sq., one in every of a string of stars from the world of movie.
As one other bear bonus, take a stroll alongside Bear Road which leads from Leicester Sq. to Charing Cross Street.
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with children, take a look at my prime picks
Paddington Bear afternoon tea in London
Should you’re searching for Paddington Bear afternoon tea, London has a brand new choice that’s excellent for youths.
The Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour has a day tea impressed by meals Paddington would like to get his paws on – together with, in fact, an ideal marmalade sandwich.
Utilizing an iconic double-decker Routemaster bus, the Paddington afternoon tea tour by Brigit’s Bakery – additionally behind the Peppa Pig afternoon tea bus excursions – travels round central London and a few of Paddington’s favorite London landmarks.
Alongside the best way, you’ll hear about a few of his adventures and mishaps, in addition to attending to see the sights. Every desk has a built-in display screen with a Paddington-guided animation, the place Paddington and Mrs Fowl share their data of town’s different icons.
Lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, it’s beneficial for age 5+ and runs from Wednesdays to Sundays. There are vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus, however no bogs aboard.
There are usually different Paddington-themed afternoon teas, usually to mark the launch of a brand new movie or a particular occasion – beforehand together with the Athanaeum and Aquashard amongst others.
Paddington Bear strolling tour
Whereas it’s simple to place collectively your individual Paddington Bear strolling tour of London, Brit Film Excursions leads its personal ‘official’ Paddington tour as nicely.
Beginning at Paddington station, it takes you to a number of the filming places from the flicks in addition to protecting locations talked about in over 15 Paddington Bear books.
In addition to passing by means of Little Venice, you’ll find yourself on the Portobello Street, the place Mr Gruber had his antiques store. There’s a reduction for kids beneath three go free – the tour lasts round 2-2 ½ hours so there’s numerous strolling for little ones although.
The Paddington Bear tour can be accessible to guide by means of Viator, with a reserve now, pay later choice, in addition to free cancellation tickets.
Or choose up Paddington’s Information to London with Paddington’s personal tips about exploring town.
The Paddington Bear Expertise
Paddington followers have a brand new deal with to sit up for for 2024, with the launch of the Paddington Bear Expertise within the County Corridor constructing on London’s South Financial institution.
The immersive expertise, which opens on Might 31 sees you journey by means of London to assist Paddington and the Browns put together for the Marmalade Day pageant. Visiting Paddington Station, Windsor Gardens and even Darkest Peru, there’ll be plenty of interactive enjoyable for youths – plus the prospect to munch on a marmalade sandwich.
The expertise lasts round 70 minutes, with additional time to benefit from the Marmalade Day celebrations, in addition to visiting Mr Gruber’s store – or a variation on it! – to choose up some souvenirs.
Places from the Paddington books
If you wish to make your individual Paddington-themed strolling tour of London, it’s simple to walk between a number of the key places in addition to combining them with the Pawprint path.
Learn on to see a number of the places from the flicks too
Paddington station is without doubt one of the greatest locations to start out, the place Paddington started his personal journey.
Don’t miss Portobello Street both, the place the little bear would go for elevenses at Mr Gruber’s antiques store.
However there’s no level looking for 32 Windsor Gardens – writer Michael Bond mixed his deal with along with his dad and mom’ particulars, plus some inventive license, to create the house belonging to the Brown household.
So when you Windsor Gardens does exist, the story isn’t primarily based on the actual life location – and there’s no quantity 32…
Scroll down to find the placement of 32 Windsor Gardens within the Paddington films
Head into central London too, for Selfridges, the place Bond purchased the unique bear which impressed the tales – and for many who’ve learn the books, bears a definite resemblance to the fictional Barkridges division retailer in London.
Regent’s Park was the positioning of one other of Paddington’s mishaps from the tales, by accident disrupting a efficiency within the open air theatre.
Places from the Paddington films
The closest you possibly can come to Windsor Gardens is Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill, the place the Browns reside within the movies.
And in close by Hyde Park, the Serpentine Lake was one of many film Mrs Brown’s favorite swimming places.
Not removed from Paddington station, Little Venice was an space writer Michael Bond knew nicely – and the canal towpath may look acquainted from Paddington 2, the place everybody’s favorite bear and his four-legged pal perform a high-speed chase.
Or head to the Pure Historical past Museum in South Kensington, the place the primary movie’s dramatic climax sees Paddington escaping from fiendish taxidermist Nicole Kidman.
Discover one of many oldest Paddington Bears
The primary official Paddington Bear toy was made within the UK in 1972, and whereas the earliest ones are actually collector’s gadgets, you possibly can nonetheless see one particular classic bear on a visit to London.
One of many original-style Paddington Bears, relationship from 1980, has been a favorite on show on the Younger V&A in Bethnal Inexperienced over time.
The museum, which reopened with a brand new title and a serious overhaul, nonetheless has the much-loved Paddington Bear, with the security pin nonetheless firmly in his hat, among the many storytelling part, the place children can unleash their very own artistic imaginations – and maybe provide you with the subsequent best-selling guide a few lovable bear.
Please take care of this bear: the place to purchase Paddington souvenirs
Should you simply need a Paddington of your individual, there’s no have to enterprise to Darkest Peru, with loads of locations to seek out the pawfect memento.
There are Paddington souvenirs galore in addition to a variety of cuddly creations in case you’re questioning the place to purchase Paddington Bear in London.
Paddington station itself is dwelling to the one store on this planet completely devoted to the well-known bear, and also you’ll discover unique items right here.
Should you’re visiting Barkridges, aka Selfridges, there’s a variety of toys and bears to be discovered.
And London’s most well-known toy store, Hamley’s on Regent’s Road, has its personal spectacular assortment of bears plus loads of Paddington-themed merchandise – you possibly can even get a baggage tag studying ‘Please take care of this bear’.
You may also discover the books in most good London bookstores too, together with Paddington’s Information to London. Should you don’t fancy carrying all 15 books round all day, or wish to re-read the tales earlier than you go to, take a look at this nice field set of the Paddington tales from Amazon.
For extra concepts of issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, take a look at my prime picks, together with extra free issues to do in London with children and these different nice books about London for youths
*first revealed 2014, up to date 2024*
Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Little Venice/Portobello Street/Pure Historical past Museum pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, Leicester Sq. Paddington through Picfair, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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