The place to seek out Paddington Bear in London

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 identify.

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 acquired his identify.

The lifesize bronze statue with the label asking folks to take care of this bear is again in its ordinary residence by Platform 1, after a quick stint close to the Praed Road 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 photographs – head over in the 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, actually, 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, 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 underneath a bridge, as you wander previous the barges and string of cafes.

This explicit 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 possibly can hop onto the Waterbus to Camden Lock, which passes London Zoo – hold your eyes open for monkeys and painted canine (although you received’t spot bears en route.

Journey Two: Boating, Bears and Bridges leads the other means 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 – quickly residence to a particular exhibition of statues made with Lego-style bricks in summer season 2022 – the place you may spot Paddingtonscape, as Paddington tries his paw at some chess.

For those who’re visiting outdoors the summer season months, he sensibly hibernates within the Hilton London Paddington as a substitute.

Hold 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 many of the Paddington statues cluster round Paddington station, yow 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 among a string of stars from the world of movie.

As one other bear bonus, be careful for Bear Road which leads from Leicester Sq. to Charing Cross Street.

Paddington Bear afternoon tea in London

For those who’re searching for Paddington Bear afternoon tea, London has a brand new choice that’s excellent for youths.

The Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour launches on October 26, accessible weekly from Wednesdays to Sundays, with a day tea impressed by meals Paddington would like to get his paws on – together with, in fact, an excellent 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 data of the town’s different icons.

Lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, it’s beneficial for age 5+. There are vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus, however no bathrooms aboard.

There are recurrently 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 straightforward to place collectively your personal 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 places from the films in addition to overlaying 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 youngsters underneath three go free – the tour lasts round 2-2 ½ hours so there’s numerous strolling for little ones although.

Additionally accessible to e-book by means of Viator, with a reserve now, pay later choice, in addition to free cancellation tickets.

Or decide up Paddington’s Information to London with Paddington’s personal recommendations on exploring the town.

Areas from the Paddington books

If you wish to make your personal Paddington-themed strolling tour of London, it’s straightforward to walk between among the key places in addition to combining them with the Pawprint path.

Learn on to see among the places 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 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 creative 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 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, 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 reside within the movies.

The Serpentine Lake in close by Hyde Park 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 properly – 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 at the moment are 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 presently closed and because 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 security pin nonetheless firmly in his hat, can be anticipated to return.

Please take care of this bear: the place to purchase Paddington souvenirs

For those who simply desire a Paddington of your personal, 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 the event you’re questioning the place to purchase Paddington Bear in London.

Paddington station itself is residence to the solely store on the 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 may even get a baggage tag studying ‘Please take care of this bear’.

You may as well 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 wish to re-read the tales earlier than you go to, try this nice field set from Amazon.

For extra concepts of issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, try my high picks, together with extra free issues to do in London with children

*first printed 2014, up to date 2022*

Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee

Little Venice/Portobello Street/Pure Historical past Museum photographs courtesy of Depositphotos, Leicester Sq. Paddington through Picfair, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels

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