Paddington – the delightful anthropomorphized spectacled bear from ‘darkest Peru,’ wearing his crimson hat, battered brown suitcase, royal blue duffel coat, and love for marmalade sandwiches – has emerged as one of the most beloved fictional characters in Britain. He first appeared in Michael Bond’s timeless children’s illustrated books, which were initially published in 1958, and his status as the nation’s beloved bear mascot was secured during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, when a CGI version of Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) appeared as a special guest of her Majesty in a touching video segment where they shared afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace.
It is high time that Paddington has an attraction entirely devoted to him and his world. The lavish new immersive experience located in central London on Southbank (next to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium) is wholly focused on Paddington, serving as a live extension of the universe created in the two (and soon to be three) successful Paul King StudioCanal Paddington films. These movies are contemporary masterpieces that have re-energized Paddington and his friends from the stories, enchanting a fresh audience with the charming bear’s escapades and occasional misadventures.
Though prior knowledge of the films is certainly not required for enjoying The Paddington Bear Experience, visitors will come across numerous visual and verbal nods to them throughout this adventure, functioning essentially as an immersive theatre presentation that leads attendees in small groups on a leisurely journey from Paddington Station to 32 Windsor Gardens and beyond.
My daughters and I visited on a Monday afternoon in August, receiving amber wristbands at the entrance within Mr. Gruber’s Antique Shop. We waited for our turn at a replica Paddington Station to board our train to Windsor Gardens, accompanied by a pre-recorded performance of the band from the films singing ‘London is the Place for Me’ while cheerful station attendants entertained us. After a rather improbably winding route from Paddington to Notting Hill (via London Bridge and a good stretch of the English countryside!), we finally reached 32 Windsor Gardens for this year’s Marmalade Day Festival. Designer Rebecca Brower has meticulously recreated the entire lower level of the Brown’s quirky Notting Hill home. We encountered a slightly flustered Mrs. Brown, who greeted us warmly and promptly enlisted both children and adults in our group to help decorate with bunting for the celebrations.
Under the guidance of Tom Maller and penned by Katie Lyons, the Experience beautifully captures the franchise’s inviting charm. The show relies on audience participation with actors who present simple, enjoyable challenges to solve: putting together jigsaw puzzles, helping gather cake ingredients, and, more whimsically, searching for oranges in the Peruvian jungle. For approximately an hour, it genuinely feels as if we’ve entered the enchanting, idealized world of the films. At the end of the Experience, there’s a chance to meet Paddington himself for photos, enjoy marmalade sandwiches, and partake in some classic fairground games set in the intricately crafted faux Windsor Gardens.
Our group mainly consisted of families, but there were also a few adults without children present; Paddington truly has a wide-ranging intergenerational appeal. All the children in our group (including my own, aged seven and five) were captivated throughout – this universe felt real to them. The careful attention to detail was particularly impressive: I noticed that the documents on Mr. Brown’s desk looked remarkably authentic, right down to a Council Tax bill from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea accurately addressed to 32 Windsor Gardens.
While tickets are not especially cheap, they are reasonably priced when compared to a West End theatre outing, and it’s worth mentioning that group sizes are kept quite manageable. Everyone in our party had the opportunity to actively engage in the activities, and my daughters and I certainly felt thoroughly included in the overall experience.
In conclusion, The Paddington Bear Experience is enchanting, crafted with great affection and meticulous attention to detail. It genuinely allows you to feel as though you’ve stepped into an idealized version of London, if only for a brief moment. It would be impossible to leave without feeling completely uplifted and charmed.
Image Source: Looopings.com @ YouTube
