The Paddington Bear™ Experience– Theatre, Film and Fun Rolled Into One

When I was invited to The Paddington Bear Experience in London, I honestly thought it would be more for the kids than for me. I pictured myself smiling politely, taking photos, and mostly just watching the little ones have fun. Paddington, after all, is meant for children… isn’t he? What I didn’t expect was to be swept right along myself.

I’ve always loved theatre and film (my bank account can definitely confirm that habit), so I was curious, but I assumed this would be a “lightweight” family activity. Wrong. The second I stepped into Mr Gruber’s antique shop, I realised I’d underestimated it. The set design was astonishing — not just “good for kids,” but genuinely cinematic. It felt like stepping into a film set.

Checking in was simple — we picked up our colour-coded wristbands at the ticket office (very handy, as they call you by colour when it’s your turn to board the train). There’s a buggy park, cloakroom (£1.50 per item), and toilets available at this stage, and this is also your chance to take photos because once the adventure begins, phones go away. Honestly, I welcomed that rule. Some experiences are meant to be lived, not just filmed.

Our journey began at Paddington Station (yes, they recreated it), where we hopped aboard the “train” to 32 Windsor Gardens. Clever staging carried us past London landmarks. It was surprisingly effective — especially for the children , who were utterly convinced we were off on an adventure.

From there, the magic unfolded. We arrived at Windsor Gardens and stepped into the Browns’ stripy-wallpapered home. Mrs Brown greeted us warmly, preparing for the Marmalade Day Festival, and quickly got us involved. We helped untangle bunting, pieced together Paddington portraits, and — my personal highlight — joined in a silly living-room dance. (It’s impossible not to relax when you’re dancing with strangers in a Paddington story!)

In the living room, Mrs Brown also dropped playful hints that Paddington was just out of sight — a dripping ceiling here, a soft crash from somewhere just out of sight.  It was a clever way of making Paddington feel present without actually showing him yet, and the children were hanging on every clue.

What really struck me was how cinematic and polished it all felt. The acting deserves its own mention: the cast had boundless energy, guiding us through each scene with warmth and humour. It can’t be easy performing live to an audience that includes excitable children, shy little ones, and adults who might be harder to win over — but somehow they carried everyone along. It felt seamless, like stepping into a film that just happened to be unfolding around us.

Later in the kitchen, Mrs Bird guided us through household “chores.” And then came one of the loveliest surprises: the pantry. The room darkened, and a letter to Aunt Lucy glowed across the walls, read aloud in Paddington’s voice. With beautiful lighting and staging, it was a moment of real heart — the sort that reminds you why this little bear has endured for generations.

The journey continued into the Peruvian jungle, where children gleefully rolled oranges into a marmalade-making machine, before we finally reached the moment everyone was waiting for: Paddington himself.

Now, here’s where I’ll pause. The “real” Paddington is cleverly brought to life through animatronics. You don’t see the mechanics at all — what you see is Paddington, full of warmth and charm, moving and gesturing as naturally as you’d hope. The children were absolutely spellbound, and to my own surprise, I felt a lump in my throat too. As he waved us off, it struck me how powerful Paddington’s message still is: kindness, gentleness, and the belief in small good deeds. In today’s world, that lands harder than ever.

The experience wrapped up with photos, a play area for the kids, and (of course) a shop selling marmalade sandwiches. Tip: you don’t have to buy the official photos, you can always ask a staff member to take one on your phone.

The Paddington Bear Experience spans more than 26,000 square feet of the iconic London County Hall on the Southbank. It’s part theatre, part immersive story, part theme park — and manages to delight both children and adults alike.

Each room includes intricate details, carefully crafted by a team of artists, and about 50% of the props and dressing are from the much-loved Paddington films. More than 150 people worked behind the scenes for three years to bring this experience to life, supported by a cast and crew of over 90 and a Front of House team of over 50. These facts make it clear just how much dedication and artistry went into every corner of the experience.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. My only tiny quibble is that sometimes I wanted to linger longer in the sets, but the story keeps you moving. Looking back, it was pure joy from start to finish. I left grinning — and already planning to return at Christmas, when I hear the Browns go all Christmassy with their decorations. Paddington himself would approve.

If you’d like to book tickets for September, you can do so directly through the official Paddington Bear Experience website.

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

Nearest Tube: Waterloo