The place to search out Paddington Bear in London

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 identify.

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 obtained 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 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 photographs – head over in the direction of the Paddington store to search out it.

The Pawprint path

The station can be the start line for the Pawprint Path – three trails, in actual fact, 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 possibly can spot Bearing Up, a blue flock Paddington tucked below a bridge, as you wander previous the barges and string of cafes.

This explicit statue has been briefly 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 might hop onto the Waterbus to Camden Lock, which passes London Zoo – preserve 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, try my prime picks

Journey Two: Boating, Bears and Bridges leads the other approach 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’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 residence 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 outdoors 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 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 together 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’ll find him proper within the centre of London too.

There’s additionally a statue of Paddington together 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, be careful for Bear Avenue which leads from Leicester Sq. to Charing Cross Highway.

Paddington Bear afternoon tea in London

Should you’re on the lookout for Paddington Bear afternoon tea, London has a brand new possibility that’s good for youths.

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, after all, an amazing 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 Fowl share their information of town’s different icons.

Lasting 1 hour 45 minutes, it’s really useful for age 5+. There are vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus, however no bogs 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 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 few 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 Little Venice, you’ll find yourself on the Portobello Highway, the place Mr Gruber had his antiques store. There’s a reduction for youngsters below three go free – the tour lasts round 2-2 ½ hours so there’s quite a lot of strolling for little ones although.

Additionally obtainable to ebook by Viator, with a reserve now, pay later possibility, 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 a few of the key places in addition to combining them with the Pawprint path.

Learn on to see a few of the places from the flicks too

Paddington station is among 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 deal with together 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 actual life location – and there’s no quantity 32…

Scroll down to find the situation of 32 Windsor Gardens within the Paddington motion pictures

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, by chance disrupting a efficiency within the open air theatre.

Areas from the Paddington motion pictures

The closest you possibly can come to Windsor Gardens is Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill, the place the Browns dwell 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 nicely – and the canal towpath may 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 objects, 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 V&A’s Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Inexperienced through the years.

The museum is at the moment closed and as a result 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

Should you simply need a Paddington of your individual, there’s no must 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 in the event 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 presents 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 Avenue, 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 as well 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 need 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 prime picks, together with extra free issues to do in London with children

*first revealed 2014, up to date 2022*

Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could 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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