The Paddington Bear Experience Review - Is It Worth Going?
Here’s everything you need to know about London’s newest family friendly attraction.
Located in central London’s South Bank, The Paddington Bear Experience combines immersive theatre with interactive elements, set in the world of Paddington Bear.
The first thing you’ll see when entering the experience is Mr Grubber’s Antique shop - also known as the gift shop. Stocked with a wide variety of Paddington themed merchandise, including plenty of bears and copies of the books by Thomas Michael Bond, you’ll also exit through Mr Grubber’s shop at the end if you’d prefer to pick up your souvenirs then.
The experience begins once you pass through the ticket office and enter a replica of Paddington Station. It’s time to catch a train! Before it leaves, you’ll have the opportunity to check your bags into the cloakroom (for a small fee) and use the bathrooms. You can also drop off your buggy here if you have one with you. Don’t worry about missing the train as the conductor will let you know when it’s time to board.
When the time comes, hop into the train carriage and let yourself be whisked away to Windsor Gardens, where Paddington lives. Here you’ll explore his home and meet some of his friends, including the lovely Mrs Brown and Aunt Lucy. Together you’ll help prepare for Paddington’s Marmalade Day party and work through some, er, unexpected obstacles along the way.
Although no photographs are allowed during most of the experience, there are plenty of opportunities to take as many as you like once you reach the party. Hopefully the photos above will demonstrate how incredible the sets are. They’re huge in scale with a variety of screens, lighting and activities suitable for little children and adults alike. I actually liked that phones and cameras were not allowed during most of the experience. It allowed us to properly immerse ourselves and enjoy the moment without worrying about having to capture everything.
You can spend up to an hour at the Marmalade Day celebration, which is great as there’s lots to do! If you head to the food stall you can purchase a variety of snacks, including Paddington’s favourite marmalade sandwiches and orange hot chocolates.
Further down the room you’ll find a variety of activities for the children including colouring and carnival style games. You’ll even have the opportunity to meet Paddington himself, with photos available to purchase at the kiosk. There’s plenty of places to sit down and no rush, so enjoy it. On your way out you’ll pass back through Paddington Station and Mr Grubber’s Antique shop, before exiting back at the South Bank.
How long will I spend in the experience?
You should plan to spend around 70 minutes at the experience. We spent two hours in total at the attraction, including at the Marmalade Day celebration at the end.
Ticket prices:
Standard tickets for adults start at £29 per person, and £19 for children aged 2 - 15. Children under the age of two enter for free.
Make sure you book online as tickets can be more expensive on the day.
Getting here:
The Paddington Bear Experience is located at the County Hall, in the same area as the London Eye and Shrek’s Adventure. You’ll find the entrance by Westminster Bridge. It’s easy to find and just a short walk from Waterloo train and underground station.
The full address is: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB.
How accessible is the experience?
While I was initially unsure how suitable the Paddington Bear Experience would be for people with disabilities, the website assures that the attraction is suitable for wheelchair users.
Check their website for a full list of accessibility provisions.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Paddington Bear Experience website here.
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