Paddington Bear, Selfridges, London. Copyright Gretta Schifano
My daughter and I loved seeing Paddington at the cinema. The film is based on the popular Michael Bond books about a young bear who arrives alone in London as a stowaway from darkest Peru looking for a new home. He’s adopted by the Brown family who find him at Paddington Station with a label around his neck which reads Please look after this bear. Thank you. I especially like the underlying messages of the film of kindness to people even if they look different to you and of welcoming refugees.
Paddington was filmed in London and you can visit many of the places featured on screen. This is how you can follow in Paddington’s paw prints in London.
Paddington Station
Paddington Station is where Paddington meets the Brown family and acquires his human name. You can visit the railway station even if you’re not catching a train. There are several cafés at the station where you can have tea and cake like Paddington does with Mr Brown in the film. There’s also a Paddington Bear shop at the station selling Paddington toys and merchandise.
Natural History Museum, London. Copyright Gretta Schifano
Natural History Museum
Paddington’s nemesis on screen is an evil taxidermist who works at the Natural History Museum and many scenes take place in this iconic London building. The Natural History Museum is a world class museum and you can visit it for free (although donations are welcome). The nearest tube station is South Kensington.
Buckingham Palace
In the film Paddington takes refuge in a guard’s hut in front of the gates of Buckingham Place, the Queen’s London residence. The guard gives Paddington some food and drink from under his bearskin(!) hat. There isn’t actually a guard’s hut in front of the gates of the palace but you can walk up to the gates and see the guards in front of the palace itself. The nearest tube station is Victoria.
Buckingham Palace, London. Copyright Gretta Schifano
Windsor Gardens
Windsor Gardens is the fictitious address of the Brown family’s home in West London. The street which was actually used as Windsor Gardens in the film is a residential street called Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill. You can walk along the street if you’d like to see it – the nearest underground station is Chalk Farm.
Portobello Road
Paddington and Mrs Brown visit Mr Gruber at his antiques shop on the Portobello Road. Mr Gruber is a Hungarian refugee and he tells Paddington about how he came to London as a boy during WWII. You can visit Portobello Road – it’s a famous street in West London which is full of antique shops and stalls. Alice’s Antiques at number 36 stood in for Mr Gruber’s shop in the film. The nearest tube station is Ladbroke Grove.
The Geographers’ Guild
The scenes at the Geographers’ Guild were filmed at The Reform Club on Pall Mall. This is a private club so unless you’re a club member or a guest of a member then you won’t be able to go inside the building. The nearest tube station is Piccadilly Circus.
Where to stay
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, check out my post about recommended family-friendly places to stay in London.
Over to you
Are you a Paddington fan? Have you seen the Paddington film or read the books?
More on London
I publish a monthly round-up of fab things to do in London with kids. You can find my latest round-up here. You may also like my post on Where to find the world of Harry Potter in London.
I jolly well love Paddington Bear
ninjacat recently posted…Berry Breakfast Quinoa Porridge
love that paddington quote and I love London! We just came back from a day trip, never gets old x
Fritha recently posted…What We Wore – Walking the dog
I really want to go and see it but the kids aren’t keen
Kara recently posted…Dear Teenager………..
Fab post and a great idea, something to add to my London bucket list 🙂 I absolutely loved Paddington and it was our final end of Christmas holiday treat to go and watch it — then I surprised the babes with a Paddington bear each I’d saved from their Christmas presents. Happy little boys that night I tell ya 😉
Uju @Babesabouttown recently posted…London Kids Weekend Scoop (January 8-11, 2015)
I always wanted a Paddington toy as a child! I was very jealous when my younger sister was given one for Christmas!
I really want to take Emmy to see this soon
Clare Nicholas recently posted…Making healthy changes
My boys [and husband] would love the tour! They can’t wait to see the film either. Paddington is a legend!
Sara-Jayne recently posted…Bluestone Wales – Packing Our Wellies
I love Paddington Bear. Will be watching the film soon and would love to do the London tour as well.
Am yet to see the film, my youngest is a bit small for the cinema yet so we are waiting for the dvd, but cant wait- love Paddington!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Lulworth Castle
I havent seen it, want to see it, but will wait for the DVD x
Rachel recently posted…Look Fantastic Beauty Box January 2015
Thanks for sharing this post! We really enjoyed the Paddington Bear film and this is a great and easy way to spot some of the sights from the film. x
Perhaps have a marmalade sandwich or afternoon tea while you are there. A lot of the hotels near the attractions you mention have them. Or just buy a jar of posh marmalade from Selfridges or Harrods? Cool post.
Kirstie recently posted…The Magic of Christmas is Making Old Folks Cry
I’m always up for afternoon tea – not sure about marmalade sandwiches though!
We haven’t seen it yet! Great post, really interesting x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…80 Prompts For Your Editorial Calendar
i have heard lots of good things about this film but haven’t seen it yet. It sounds like they take in lots of great London scenery.
Mummy of two recently posted…Karcher Wheel Brush and Foam Nozzle Accessories – A Review
They do, the tourist board must be thrilled!
We went to see it for my son’s 8th birthday and absolutely loved it, so much fun and so brilliantly British! Great post!
Globalmouse recently posted…Where to go for February half term holiday with children
Great post and lots to do and see in London. I want to see Paddington but have to wait till it comes out on dvd as my kids wouldn’t cope in a cinema unfortunately .
wendy recently posted…Happy Birthday Zak – 5 today
I think it’s a film that’s worth getting on DVD as kids will want to watch it again and again.
I loved the film. I took Erin who is five and she hasn’t stopped talking about it since. I also loved seeing some of the Paddington’s when I was recently in London.
Emma recently posted…How to save money and win money with Social Codes and Voucher Codes
It was fun spotting the Paddington statues around London – I wish they could have stayed on display for longer but I hope that they raise lots of money for charity when they’re auctioned off.
Seen it and loved it! I even dragged my 15 year old son along as I insisted he accompanied his younger brother and much to his surprise he loved it too! (Hunger Games, The Hobbit etc is more his thing…normally). I wondered where the lovely Windsor Gardens really were and I guess it comes as no surprise that it’s a street in Primrose Hill. Thanks for sharing your insider knowledge!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Snapshots of Strasbourg
You’re welcome – I think that it’s a film that would appeal to all ages.
We haven’t seen it (yet) – am still debating the best first film for a toddler (and not Frozen!). But I know she’d love to find a few more Paddingtons, and it’s easy for us to get to the main station, so I should start there…
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Why you shouldn’t apologise for babies on planes
There were lots of toddlers at the cinema when we went and they all seemed to be enjoying the film. There are some sad bits though – I don’t want to give any of the plot away but some little ones could be upset I think (in the same way that Finding Nemo is very sad at the beginning).
Daughter is demanding to see Paddington soon. Thanks for the list of where to relive the cinematic highlights.
Jennifer Howze recently posted…New York City: Touring street art in Bushwick, Brooklyn
You’re welcome – and I think that you’ll enjoy the film.
We took our daughter to see Paddington before Christmas (and before our trip to London). Our 14-year-old son decided it would be much to embarrassing to come with us. The rest of us really liked the film though. And having Lord Grantham in it just made things better!
Although we didn’t follow the Paddington trail whilst in London, it was nice to stumble across the occasional Paddington on our wanders.
The Paddington trail has finished now but we saw some of the statues when we went to London at Christmas. My 12 year-old son was too embarrassed to come to the film too, but I think that he would have enjoyed it!
We loved it – such good fun. Clever post too! Great idea.
Sarah Ebner recently posted…Super Siam Park in Tenerife
Thanks Sarah! We really enjoyed it.