The Paddington Bear Experience

Last Updated on November 30, 2024

The Bear Necessities

I’ve wanted to take my 3-year-old grandson and Paddington Bear fan down to the South Bank for the Paddington Bear Experience. But the launch of the Christmas season at what has become one of London’s top visitor attractions convinced me that now was the time. 

Ticketing is very straightforward and totally digital so don’t forget your phone! The venue is easily accessible and just a short stroll from either Westminster or Waterloo stations. It’s brilliantly located on that the stretch of the river just behind the London Eye in the County Hall building; it’s an area that is buzzing with a selection of visitor attractions, a mini-funfair, street performers and street food vendors – and of course the river and the South Bank itself! This means that you make a full day out of your visit without having to travel any further.

The entrance to the Paddington Bear Experience is bustling, full of family and friendship groups with kids of all ages ready to enjoy their Paddington experience. The release of the hugely successful Paddington movies and the new ‘Paddington in Peru’ has no doubt added to the interest, but author Michael Bond’s twenty-nine Paddington books have been delighting readers since 1958 creating a huge potential audience.

From a practical perspective, there is a buggy park at the entrance with loos at the start and finish. Getting in is straightforward as you are given armbands that are the colour of your ‘train’. And then it’s down the stairs to the waiting area for Paddington Station platform 1. There are station staff dancing around the 5.5-metre centrepiece Christmas tree who keep us well entertained as we wait for our ‘train’ to arrive and whisk us off to Windsor Gardens.

This is where we enter the Brown family home and meet some of the characters from the book. It’s all very jolly and interactive and we are given a variety of amusing tasks to help prepare for the upcoming ‘Marmalade Day’ celebrations. The group sizes are quite small so once you are into the attraction you never feel crowded or overwhelmed. The staff are very friendly and used to dealing with young children.

We are then miraculously transported into the Peruvian jungle on a citrus-related quest. The sets are beautifully realised and for the kids and maybe even some of the adults you could see a look of wonder in their eyes. 

Then it’s back to Windsor Gardens for seasonal drinks and of course marmalade sandwiches. The great revelation is that marmalade sarnies actually taste better without butter. Who knew?! There are plenty of Insta-friendly photo opportunities at the beginning and end of the experience, but photos aren’t allowed whilst it’s taking place which makes for a more engaging experience. There is of course a shop (Grubers Antique Store) selling all sorts of Paddington-related goodies if you need to scratch your retail itch with lots of great ideas for Christmas and beyond. 

For a charming outing of gentle family fun The Paddington Bear Experience is a great option. At only three years old our grandson was possibly a little young to fully engage with every element. But he still enjoyed himself and there were children of all ages having a good time. It’s perfect for a pre- or post-Christmas treat and don’t forget the marmalade sandwiches!

Guests can celebrate Christmas within Paddington’s world from Saturday 16th November until Sunday 5th January 2025.  

The Paddington Bear Experience  
Riverside Building,
County Hall,
Westminster Bridge Road,
London SE1 7PB. 

The nearest train station is Waterloo Station – about a 10-minute walk from the venue.