A school trip to… The Paddington Bear Experience

The Paddington Bear Experience opened in 2024 during the 66th anniversary year of Michael Bond’s first book about a bear who travelled to London from Peru with a big appetite for marmalade. A Bear Called Paddington introduced readers to a character who is discovered by the Brown family at Paddington Station in London, and went on to become a national treasure.

Who knew what was to follow? Countless books, TV shows, three huge movies and a big stage musical that’s scheduled to hit the West End this autumn. It’s fair to say that Paddington’s popularity has never been higher.

Which is probably why they created The Paddington Bear Experience, an immersive attraction at London’s County Hall down on the Southbank, near Westminster Bridge and along from the London Eye.

The good news is that the attraction is so keen to welcome schools groups that there is a dedicated education team to help plan visits and free teaching resources suitable for KS1 and KS2 that can be used before or after you have been.

School trips can link to subjects such as English, maths, art & design, drama and PSHE. The official message from the attraction team is that The Paddington Bear Experience is a ‘cross-curricular adventure [that] will help your pupils build confidence and develop problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills’. For EVCs and teachers there is a complete planning guide and information to help with the risk assessment.

A walk-through the experience

It was a hot day outside when I visited so I was glad of a little shade as I ventured into County Hall and through to the mock-up of Paddington Station where an enthusiastic guard welcomed me and the others about to take the 70-minute tour. 

After our journey from Paddington Station to Windsor Gardens we were welcomed to the Brown residence by none other than Mrs Brown. I found it difficult to always hear the actors who could do with being mic’d up; better audio would certainly help with holding the attention of school groups, I thought. But they were fun and enthusiastic and the sets well done.

The narrative follows the planning of the Marmalade Day Festival and a slight issue with finding enough oranges - isn’t it always the way? From helping to put out bunting to piecing together pictures in the Brown’s living room, you then move on to the kitchen and an encounter with Mrs Bird as interactive elements invite pupils to use observation, collaboration and imagination.

To temper expectations, you don’t actually see Paddington until the very end and just before a ‘street party’ in Windsor Gardens and the chance to buy snacks, drinks and play games. There is then a really big Paddington you can have your photo taken with.

For those with a thirst for merchandise, the shop is appropriately housed in Gruber’s Antiques which can be found at the entrance to the experience and accessible before or after a visit.

When it comes to The Paddington Bear Experience it is the interactive and immersive nature that pupils will enjoy the most, and the opportunity to step inside well-known locations from the stories. The education team are on hand to discuss what they can offer and how this might meet your requirements.