Follow the Paddington Bear Trail

Paddington Bear is one of the most iconic characters and his stories have been amazing children and parents for decades. On his adventures, the marmalade-loving bear left behind a trail of landmarks and memories.

During your family getaway to the Park Grand Hotel Lancaster Gate, you won’t want to miss out on a chance to discover the Paddington Bear treasures around London. We’ve put together a helpful guide so you can follow the trail and have fun with the kids.

Paddington Station

A trip to London for Paddington bear fans wouldn’t be complete without visiting the station where the beloved, raincoat-wearing bear first stepped foot into London. As the story goes, Paddington Bear travelled all the way from Peru and got the train straight to the heart of London and stepped off the train at the station. As you make your way around the iconic station, you’ll find the official Paddington Bear Shop. The must-see landmark for Paddington Bear fans is the bronze statue under the clock which is perfect for a picture of the kids.

Paw print trail

The Paw Print Trail is a way for you and your family to explore all of the best Paddington Bear sites in London. It will take you on a journey through the city to all of the iconic locations where the inquisitive bear made friends and found adventure. After saying goodbye to Paddington Station, you will set out on an exciting expedition. The official Paw Print booklet can be found at Paddington Station or you could sign up for one of the official Paddington Bear walking tours and team up with other excited tourists.

Sheldon Square

As you follow the trail, be sure to visit Sheldon Square for a unique photo opportunity and a chance to take a rest and relax. The square is located on a small greenery right next to the City of Westminster College and is just a short walk north from Paddington Station. When you get there, you’ll find the wonderful statue of Paddington Bear and his creator, Michael Bond. This is another great opportunity to get the camera out and take a family photo. The quaint greenery is also a great place to get out your marmalade sandwiches and take a snack break.

Selfridges / Hamleys

Life-long Paddington Bear fans may already be aware of this but the inspiration for the beloved character came from a small teddy bear that creator, Michael Bond bought for his wife at Christmas. At the time, he was a cameraman for the BBC but after purchasing the little bear from Selfridges, he began to develop the idea for Paddington bear and his many adventures. If you feel like doing a bit of shopping or treating your kids to something special at the end of your Paw Print adventure, head over to the famous Hamleys where you’ll find a huge range of Paddington Bear toys.