Paddington – the charming anthropomorphized spectacled bear from ‘darkest Peru’ sporting his red hat, worn brown suitcase, royal blue duffel coat, and fondness for marmalade sandwiches – has emerged as one of the most cherished fictional personalities in Britain. He first made his debut in Michael Bond’s classic children’s illustrated novels, which were initially released in 1958, and his position as the nation’s adored bear icon was solidified during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, when a CGI incarnation of Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) featured as a special guest of her Majesty in a heartwarming video segment where they enjoyed afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace.
It is about time that Paddington has an attraction wholly dedicated to him and his universe. The extravagant new immersive experience located in central London on Southbank (adjacent to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium) is completely focused on Paddington, serving as a live extension of the world created in the two (soon to be three) successful Paul King StudioCanal Paddington films. These films are contemporary masterpieces that have revitalized Paddington and his companions from the stories, captivating a new audience with the amiable bear’s adventures and occasional blunders.
While familiarity with the films is certainly not necessary for experiencing The Paddington Bear Experience, attendees will encounter numerous visual and verbal references to them throughout this journey, which essentially functions as an immersive theatre performance that guides visitors in small groups on a gentle expedition 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 awaited our turn at a replica Paddington Station to embark on our train to Windsor Gardens, serenaded by a pre-recorded rendition of the band from the films performing ‘London is the Place for Me’ while friendly station guards entertained us. After a rather implausibly knotty route from Paddington to Notting Hill (via London Bridge and a good stretch of the English countryside!), we finally arrived at 32 Windsor Gardens for this year’s Marmalade Day Festival. Designer Rebecca Brower has faithfully recreated the entire lower level of the Brown’s eccentric Notting Hill residence. We meet a slightly flustered Mrs Brown, who warmly welcomes us and quickly recruits both children and adults in our group to assist in decorating with bunting for the festivities.
Under the direction of Tom Maller and written by Katie Lyons, the Experience manages to beautifully capture the franchise’s comforting charm. The show relies on the audience’s interactions with actors who present simple, enjoyable puzzles to solve: assembling jigsaw puzzles, helping gather cake ingredients, and, more whimsically, seeking oranges in the Peruvian jungle. For about an hour, it genuinely feels as if we’ve stepped into the magical, idealized realm of the films. At the conclusion of the Experience, there’s an opportunity to meet Paddington himself for photographs, savor marmalade sandwiches, and engage in some traditional fairground games set in the exquisitely crafted faux Windsor Gardens.
Our group primarily consisted of families, yet there were also a few adults without children attending; Paddington indeed possesses a broad intergenerational allure. All the children in our group (including my own, ages seven and five) were mesmerized throughout – this world felt tangible to them. The meticulous attention to detail was notably impressive: I observed that the documents on Mr Brown’s desk appeared 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 inexpensive, they are reasonably priced considering a West End theatre outing, and it’s worth noting that group sizes are kept quite manageable. Everyone in our party had opportunities to actively engage in the activities, and my daughters and I certainly felt thoroughly included in the entire experience.
All in all, The Paddington Bear Experience is enchanting, crafted with great affection and meticulous attention to detail. It effectively allows you to feel as though you’ve entered an idealized portrayal of London, if only for a short while. It would be impossible to depart without feeling completely uplifted and enchanted.
Image Source: Looopings.com @ YouTube
