Pack your marmalade sandwiches (duffel coats non-obligatory) – should you’re questioning the place to search out Paddington Bear in London with children, I’ve tracked down all of the important areas for followers of the loveable bear from Darkest Peru.
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When you can not comply with the Paddington path, which noticed 50 Paddington bear statues dotted throughout London to have fun the discharge of the primary film in 2014, you’ll be able to take a look at the continuing Pawprint path to search out a number of present statues.
There are additionally Paddington Bear strolling excursions, Paddington themed afternoon tea and areas from each the books and the films to identify – not forgetting Paddington station itself, after all. There’s even a Paddington musical coming to London.
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 (after all) on the station which gave him his title.
Look out for 2 new statues briefly becoming a member of the present set forward of the third Paddington film – there’ll be one new statue at Connaught Village in Paddington in early October, in addition to one in Westfield White Metropolis
Paddington station
For followers of Paddington Bear (and who isn’t?), you’ll be able to’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 regular dwelling by Platform 1, after a quick 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 pictures – head over in direction of the Paddington store to search 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.
Choose up your free map from the Paddington store within the station and head off on one of many three ‘adventures’. Or all three, after all.
Journey One: Canalside Views to London Zoo takes you to the Grand Union Canal, the place you’ll be able to 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 may hop onto the Waterbus to Camden Lock, which passes London Zoo – maintain your eyes open for monkeys and painted canine (although you received’t spot bears en route.
For extra issues to do in Camden with children, take a look at my high 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 direction of Service provider Sq..
Time your go to for Wednesdays and Fridays at midday and you’ll watch the fan bridge elevate too, in addition to testing 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’ll be able to spot Paddingtonscape, as Paddington tries his paw at some chess.
For those who’re visiting outdoors the summer time months, he sensibly hibernates within the Hilton London Paddington as an alternative.
Preserve strolling and the route takes you to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the place you’ll be able to 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 many of the Paddington statues cluster round Paddington station, you’ll find 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., certainly one 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 Highway.
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with children, take a look at my high picks
Paddington Bear afternoon tea in London
For those who’re on the lookout 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, after all, a fantastic 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 way in which, 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 Chicken share their information of town’s different icons.
Lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, it’s advisable for age 5+ and runs from Wednesdays to Sundays. There are vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus, however no bogs aboard.
There are frequently different Paddington-themed afternoon teas, typically 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 personal Paddington Bear strolling tour of London, Brit Film Excursions leads its personal ‘official’ Paddington tour as effectively.
Beginning at Paddington station, it takes you to a number of the filming areas from the films in addition to overlaying locations talked about in over 15 Paddington Bear books.
In addition to passing by way of Little Venice, you’ll find yourself on the Portobello Highway, the place Mr Gruber had his antiques store. There’s a reduction for youngsters beneath three go free – the tour lasts round 2-2 ½ hours so there’s a whole lot of strolling for little ones although.
The Paddington Bear tour can be out there to e book by way 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 look ahead to 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 Could 31 sees you journey by way 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 a number of interactive enjoyable for youths – plus the prospect to munch on a marmalade sandwich.
The expertise lasts round 70 minutes, with further time to benefit from the Marmalade Day celebrations, in addition to visiting Mr Gruber’s store – or a variation on it! – to select up some souvenirs.
Make a small detour to Sutton Stroll outdoors Waterloo station and you’ll see a brightly colored mural of Paddington, on account of stick round till 2026
Paddington The Musical
One of the vital thrilling choices for Paddington followers, there’s a model new musical coming to London this winter, with everybody’s favorite bear showing stay on stage.
Count on catchy songs, implausible choreography and – after all – marmalade sandwiches, the musical follows the story of the small bear from darkest Peru as he finds a brand new dwelling with the Brown household… till he unexpectedly finds himself in peril.
Performances from November 2025, e book tickets right here. Advisable for age 6+, however kids aged 4+ are allowed (beneath fours received’t be permitted, together with babes in arms).
Areas from the Paddington books
If you wish to make your personal Paddington-themed strolling tour of London, it’s simple to walk between a number of the key areas in addition to combining them with the Pawprint path.
Learn on to see a number of the areas from the films 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 Highway 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 tackle along with his mother and father’ particulars, plus some inventive license, to create the house belonging to the Brown household.
So whilst you Windsor Gardens does exist, the story isn’t based mostly on the true life location – and there’s no quantity 32…
Scroll down to find the situation 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 chance disrupting a efficiency within the open air theatre.
Areas from the Paddington films
The closest you’ll be able to come to Windsor Gardens is Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill, the place the Browns stay within the movies.
And in close by Hyde Park, the Serpentine Lake was one of many film Mrs Brown’s favorite swimming areas.
Not removed from Paddington station, Little Venice was an space writer Michael Bond knew effectively – and the canal towpath would possibly look acquainted from Paddington 2, the place everybody’s favorite bear and his four-legged good friend 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 objects, you’ll be able to 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 through the years.
The museum, which reopened a few years in the past with a brand new title and a significant 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 e book a few lovable bear.
Please take care of this bear: the place to purchase Paddington souvenirs
For those who simply need a Paddington of your personal, there’s no have to enterprise to Darkest Peru, with loads of locations to search out the pawfect memento.
There are Paddington souvenirs galore in addition to a variety of cuddly creations should you’re questioning the place to purchase Paddington Bear in London.
Paddington station itself is dwelling to the one store on this planet solely devoted to the well-known bear, and also you’ll discover unique items right here.
For those who’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’ll be able to even get a baggage tag studying ‘Please take care of this bear’.
You can too discover the books in most good London bookstores too, together with Paddington’s Information to London. For those who don’t fancy carrying all 15 books round all day, or need 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 high picks, together with extra free issues to do in London with children and these different nice books about London for youths
*first printed 2014, up to date 2025*
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Little Venice/Portobello Highway/Pure Historical past Museum photographs courtesy of Depositphotos, Leicester Sq. Paddington by way of Picfair, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels
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