Review: The Paddington Bear Experience

In the heart of Waterloo when you arrive at the Paddington Bear Experience, the entrance is unassuming, but intriguing, and the trail that lies ahead was way beyond our expectations.

As we entered through the doors of Mr Gruber’s antiques store, it was a challenge to swoop the children past the array of merchandise, but once we had ascertained that we weren’t buying anything (yet), it was fun to admire and check out every kind of Paddington paraphernalia known to mankind.

Next up was the train to Windsor Gardens and you are helpfully shown to your train by an enthusiastic and friendly guard who ushered us on. Be careful not to forget Paddington’s suitcase though which has Aunt Lucy’s marmalade recipe inside!

The next locations were nothing but stunning, from the train journey through London, to the front of Windsor Gardens, into the house, where naughty Paddington has made a mess, through to the kitchen and then finally a snapshot in Peru before we are released into the Marmalade Day festival.

Phew – sounds exhausting, but it really wasn’t as we managed to spend exactly the right time in various destinations. In each place, there was time to get the context, take part in an activity, but then we were ushered on to the next before any members of the group got bored!

(Scroll to keep reading)

What struck us most about this experience was how versatile it was for different ages and how there were several activities in each room,  catering for different interests and abilities.

In our group I was concerned that my 10-year old might not be on the same page as the 2-year old who was running around. But whilst he was occupied with the literal experience and finding Paddington, my eldest was kept busy with a fun magnet game in the kitchen which we played to release the key from under the kitchen sink. Harder than it sounds.

The finale of the experience was the Marmalade Day Festival where you can try out all marmalade delicacies and take part in fairground games, have a dance with the calypso band and then wind things up with a photo with the big bear himself, Paddington.

Whilst one of my kids is an avid Paddington fan, the eldest is less fussed – but this didn’t detract from a fabulous experience which is really well organised and executed.