The Paddington Bear Experience – the most magical encounter outside of a Disney park?

I think Mr Brown would wholeheartedly agree that this is the UK’s best immersive experience to date, and as one of London’s newest attractions, it’s the most delightfully wholesome escapism you have wished for. We made precious memories with our own cub when we visited, and the fact that you aren’t allowed to use phones or cameras during the session makes it even more special. For what feels like a fleeting moment, the whole family is truly free to explore and play together – even the grown ups!

I’m Intrigued! What is The Paddington Experience?

Looking online, you will struggle to find out much information about the whole experience, as knowing too much in advance will spoil the adventure. Essentially, you board a train, travel to Windsor Gardens and before you know it, you’re part of the story! You’ll meet members of the Brown family, plus some of Paddington’s friends (old and new), and embark on a noble quest to help a bear in need. A series of family-friendly tasks need completing at various locations before the curious caper ends back in Windsor Gardens. Here, you can celebrate in your own time, take pictures, purchase treats from the cafe (I hope you like oranges) and play some games with your new found friends. There is also a chance to take pictures with Paddington, plus the option of purchasing souvenir photos to take home. The experience takes around 70 minutes, but you can stay in the cafe area as long as you like before exiting through the gift shop. All-in-all, we were there for about 2 hours.

Exit through the gift shop, or in this case, Gruber’s Antiques!

Where is The Paddington Experience?

On the South Bank in Central London, next to Westminster Bridge. It’s right next to the Shrek Adventure, Sealife London Aquarium, London Eye etc.
The full address is:
Riverside Building,
County Hall,
Westminster Bridge Road,
London,
SE1 7PB

You can’t miss it! Just follow the bears!

Is it worth the money?

In my opinion, yes. It is not the cheapest or longest day out you’ve ever had, but it is one-of-a-kind, and this rare sort of bear is worth every penny. Although they do update the theming based on the season (Christmas, Easter etc.), the story stays the same, so at the moment it is a ‘one-and-done’ kind of experience. Prices are currently from £34 per adult and £24 per child.

You’ve convinced me! How can I book?

You can book online directly from The Paddington Bear Experience website. This will give you the best price and live availability. There is a chance of availability on the day, but I would strongly recommend purchasing in advance to avoid long waits or disappointment.

Should I pre-purchase any Add-ons?

We did, but quite honestly, we needn’t have bothered. The cafe and gift shop have plenty of merchandise to purchase on the day, so don’t feel obliged to pre-purchase. In fact, I wish we hadn’t pre-ordered the marmalade sandwiches, as the cakes available in the cafe on the day were far more delicious, so the overpriced sandwich ended up in the bin (it was £4.50)!

We pre-purchased the adorable bear ears headband (£8), and he did wear them for the whole day, but they can be purchased in Gruber’s Antiques before or after the experience for the same price.

Make a day of it & experience more Paddington in London!

Did you know there is a Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour? You can visit Paddington Station, browse in the official Paddington shop or even take a walking tour of the famous filming locations from the movies! There is even a statue of Paddington in Leicester Square (below), and don’t forget to tip your hat towards Buckingham Palace as you pass!

Pose for a picture with Paddington in Leicester Square – it’s free!

In Summary

Though the price may seem steep, I am yet to speak with someone who said they didn’t think it was totally worth it! There is nothing else like it in the world, so if you or your family have an affinity with this rare sort of bear, I would not hesitate to book The Paddington Bear Experience.

Gallery

All of the photos below are taken before or after the ‘no photography’ zones, so no spoilers here! This is just a tiny snippet of what the experience is like.