The Paddington Bear™ Experience will open at London County
Created by The Path Entertainment Group in collaboration with The Copyrights Group (a STUDIOCANAL company) and Lionsgate, Copyrights’ agent for experiences, this unique and fun-filled interactive experience inspired by the nation’s favourite bear will open on Friday 31st May 2024. The Paddington BearTM Experience will span more than 25,000 square feet of London’s iconic County Hall on the riverside of the Southbank.
Visitors are invited to step into Paddington’s world and embark on an exciting immersive adventure through some of the most memorable locations from the Paddington stories. Starting with the hustle and bustle of Paddington Station, guests will be greeted by a friendly Station Master and taken on a lively train journey through London’s most famous landmarks all the way to the Brown’s charming house at No. 32 Windsor Gardens.
Once inside the famous tree adorned hallway, the Brown family will whisk guests into a whirlwind of multi-sensory activities as they need to help Paddington and his family prepare for a very special occasion – The Marmalade Day Festival!
With numerous themed rooms to explore, interactive games, character interactions, and lots of surprises along the way, the adventure will culminate in a very special Windsor Garden Street party where visitors will have the chance to enjoy the Marmalade Day festival. A range of food (including Paddington’s famous marmalade sandwich!) and beverages will be available to all, as well as an opportunity to enjoy fun and games with the Brown family. The Paddington BearTM Experience will capture the hearts of the entire family, no matter the age.
Paddington fans should also be on the lookout for ‘Mr Gruber’s Shop’ opening on 1st March at London County Hall. Inspired by the enchanting antique store in the Paddington stories, Mr Gruber’s Shop will give a first glimpse into what to expect from The Paddington BearTM Experience as well as the opportunity to-purchase tickets and PaddingtonTM merchandise.
A note from David Hutchinson, CEO of The Path Entertainment Group:
“For over 3 years we have been working diligently on the launch of the most ambitious Paddington inspired experience in the world, opening in the heart of Central London. ‘The Paddington BearTM Experience’ will allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Paddington and the Brown family as they journey through the iconic locations of the much-loved stories in a sensory, thrilling experiential adventure for all the family and look forward to welcoming fans of all ages to enjoy the magical world of Paddington that our incredible team have created.”
A note from Polly Emery, SVP Brand and International Licensing of The Copyrights Group (a STUDIOCANAL company):
"We're thrilled to be partnering with Location Based Experience experts at The Path Entertainment Group to bring all generations the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magical world of Paddington. We’re sure that ‘The Paddington BearTM Experience’ will be a great success, Path’s attention to detail and passion for storytelling has really brought to life the marvellous world of our beloved bear. This very rare sort of experience is the perfect destination for families looking for a fun-filled adventure, full of interactive gameplay and exploration. We cannot wait to see individuals of all ages come together to celebrate The Marmalade Day Festival! "
2023 marked 65 years since a kind bear from Peru with a big appetite for marmalade was first introduced to the world. Paddington is a beloved children's character, created by author Michael Bond in 1958. The first book, ‘A Bear Called Paddington,’ introduced readers to the friendly and polite bear from Peru who is discovered by the Brown family at Paddington Station in London. The series of stories that followed, chronicle Paddington's adventures in London and around the world. Since its first publication, the Paddington books, published by Harper Collins, have sold more than forty million copies worldwide.
The popularity of these books led to numerous adaptations, including television shows and feature films. In 2014, a live-action feature film called ‘Paddington’ was released, which was followed by a sequel, ‘Paddington 2’ in 2017. A third film, ‘Paddington in Peru’ will be released in the UK on 8th November 2024. The movies are produced by STUDIOCANAL, European leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and series, part of CANAL+ Group, major player in the creation and distribution of content worldwide. In 2020, a brand-new Paddington TV series designed for a pre-school audience, ‘The Adventures of Paddington’ launched on Nickelodeon, introducing him to a whole new set of fans.
The Paddington BearTM Experience is creatively produced by The Path Entertainment Group, directed by Tom Maller for Immersive Octopus, written by Katie Lyons (Peaky Blinders: The Rise, Camden Stables Market), designed by Rebecca Brower (Doctor Who: Time Fracture, West End), with costume design by Stewart J Charlesworth (Respect La Diva, West End), lighting design by Terry Cook (Dubai World Expo 2020) for Woodroffe Bassett, sound design by Luke Swaffield (SAW: Escape Experience London, Tower Hill) for Autograph, video design by Novak (Lumiere Festival, London, Durham and Derry-Londonderry) and production managed by Gary Beestone Associates.
The Paddington BearTM Experience is presented by The Path Entertainment Group and The Copyrights Group (a STUDIOCANAL company) in collaboration with Lionsgate, Copyrights’ agent for experiences.