'The Paddington Bear Experience in London is a marmalade-fuelled adventure for all the family'
“Playful, immersive, and heartfelt in a way that leaves you stepping back into London with a smile.”
Spanning over 26,000 square feet of County Hall, The Paddington Bear Experience invites visitors to step straight into the world of the nation’s favourite bear.
The journey begins in a beautifully styled gift shop that looks like a 19th-century London store, packed with everything from Paddington biscuits to Funko Pops.
Once tickets are scanned, guests are led downstairs to a train platform where lively station masters keep spirits high, turning what could be a simple wait into part of the show.
From there, the group is taken on a train journey through London's most famous landmarks all the way to the Brown's charming house at No. 32 Windsor Gardens.
For fans of the films, the level of immersion is striking, with rooms such as the iconic tree hallway, recreated in so much detail that it feels like a film set tour rather than an attraction.
The Peruvian jungle offers a welcome change of scenery, and while it cannot fully escape the sense of being staged indoors, the transition from the Browns’ house to the jungle keeps the narrative moving.
The real highlight comes at the end with the Marmalade Day Festival in Windsor Gardens and meeting Paddington Bear himself.
The recreation of the set is breathtaking; the atmosphere is calm and filled with carnival games, drawing stations, and a soundtrack so well-chosen that it felt like they had access to my Spotify playlist.
By the finale, the journey has built up so well that seeing Paddington felt far more like meeting a religious figure than meeting a man in costume.
I strongly recommend making the most of the photo opportunities at the beginning and end of the experience, especially the one with Paddington to mark the day.
And for a perfect ending, the marmalade sandwich is a must as it's as much a part of Paddington as the bear himself.
The experience naturally leans toward children and families, adults like me who love the films and love bears will find plenty to enjoy.
With numerous themed rooms to explore, interactive games, character interactions and lots of surprises along the way, The Paddington Bear Experience will capture the hearts of the entire family, no matter the age.
It’s playful, immersive, and heartfelt in a way that leaves you stepping back into London with a smile.