Pack your marmalade sandwiches (duffel coats elective) – in case you’re questioning the place to seek 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 came about in 2014 with 50 Paddington bear statues in London to have fun the discharge of the primary film, you may take a look at the continuing Pawprint path to seek 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, in fact.
Purchase Paddington’s Information to London to have the bear himself introduce you to town
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 may’t miss a go to to Paddington Station, the place the furry hero of the books was first discovered by the Browns and obtained his title.
The lifesize bronze statue with the label asking individuals to take care of this bear is again in its standard residence by Platform 1, after a short stint close to the Praed Avenue entrance, between Platforms 9 and 10.
The station can be residence to the Paddington bench, the place children can sit subsequent to him and pose for images – head over in direction of the Paddington store to seek out it.
The Pawprint path
The station can be the start line for the Pawprint Path – three trails, in reality, 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 may spot a blue flock Paddington tucked below a bridge, as you wander previous the barges and string of cafes.
This specific statue has been quickly eliminated for a fast restoration of his fur, however is due again in November 2022.
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 canines (although you gained’t spot bears en route.
Journey Two: Boating, Bears and Bridges leads the alternative approach 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 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 – quickly residence to a particular exhibition of statues made with Lego-style bricks in summer time 2022 – the place you may spot Paddingtonscape, as Paddington tries his paw at some chess.
In the event you’re visiting exterior the summer time months, he sensibly hibernates within the Hilton London Paddington as a substitute.
Maintain strolling and the route takes you to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the place you may 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 all a string of stars from the world of movie.
As one other bear bonus, be careful for Bear Avenue which leads from Leicester Sq. to Charing Cross Highway.
Paddington Bear afternoon tea in London
In the event you’re searching for Paddington Bear afternoon tea, London has a brand new choice that’s good for teenagers.
The Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour launches on October 26, obtainable weekly from Wednesdays to Sundays, with a day tea impressed by meals Paddington would like to get his paws on – together with, in fact, 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 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 Chicken share their data of town’s different icons.
Lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, it’s advisable for age 5+. There are vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus, however no bogs aboard.
There are often 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 individual Paddington Bear strolling tour of London, Brit Film Excursions leads its personal ‘official’ Paddington tour as properly.
Beginning at Paddington station, it takes you to among the filming areas from the films 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 Highway, the place Mr Gruber had his antiques store. There’s a reduction for kids below three go free – the tour lasts round 2-2 ½ hours so there’s lots of strolling for little ones although.
Additionally obtainable 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.
Areas from the Paddington books
If you wish to make your individual Paddington-themed strolling tour of London, it’s simple to walk between among the key areas in addition to combining them with the Pawprint path.
Learn on to see among the areas from the films too
Paddington station is among the finest 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 – creator Michael Bond mixed his tackle 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 based mostly 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 individuals 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, unintentionally disrupting a efficiency within the open air theatre.
Areas from the Paddington films
The closest you may come to Windsor Gardens is Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill, the place the Browns stay within the movies.
The Serpentine Lake in close by Hyde Park was one of many film Mrs Brown’s favorite swimming areas.
Not removed from Paddington station, Little Venice was an space creator Michael Bond knew properly – 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 may 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 V&A’s Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Inexperienced through the years.
The museum is at the moment closed and on account of reopen in 2023 because the Younger V&A, with extra displays on show and new exhibitions, together with the tales behind favorite characters like Paddington.
The much-loved Paddington Bear, with the protection pin nonetheless firmly in his hat, can be anticipated to return.
Please take care of this bear: the place to purchase Paddington souvenirs
In the event you simply desire a Paddington of your individual, there’s no must 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 residence to the solely store on this planet completely devoted to the well-known bear, and also you’ll discover unique items right here.
In the event 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 Avenue, has its personal spectacular assortment of bears plus loads of Paddington-themed merchandise – you may 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. In the event 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 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
*first printed 2014, up to date 2022*
Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Little Venice/Portobello Highway/Pure Historical past Museum pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, Leicester Sq. Paddington by way of Picfair, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
