Paddington Bear in London – 10 sites to explore

Ten Paddington Bear locations in London: If you’re wondering where to find Paddington Bear in London, the city is filled with locations connected to the famous bear from darkest Peru. From Paddington Station, where he was first discovered by the Brown family, to Notting Hill, Hyde Park and Kensington, fans of the books and films can follow in the footsteps of one of Britain’s most beloved fictional characters.

Paddington Bear has become one of the most recognisable literary characters associated with London. Created by author Michael Bond in 1958, the polite little bear with a love of marmalade sandwiches quickly became a favourite with children and adults alike. It’s one of our favourite stories – I read them as a child and now I love reading the stories of Paddington to my children. Today visitors searching for Paddington Bear in London can discover statues, story locations and neighbourhoods connected to his adventures.

Whether you’re visiting London with children, retracing scenes from the Paddington films, or simply curious about where Paddington Bear lived in London, these locations provide a fun way to explore the capital through the eyes of this much-loved character.

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👩‍💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.

*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our Disclosure Policy.

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Where did Paddington Bear live in London?

One of the most common questions readers ask is: where did Paddington Bear live in London? In the stories written by Michael Bond, Paddington moves in with the Brown family at the fictional address of 32 Windsor Gardens in Notting Hill.

Although Windsor Gardens itself is fictional, the surrounding neighbourhood of Notting Hill and Portobello Road strongly inspired many of the early stories. The colourful streets, antique shops and lively markets of the area perfectly capture the charm and slightly chaotic atmosphere that Paddington often finds himself in.

Today visitors exploring Paddington Bear London locations often begin in this part of west London before heading to Paddington Station itself – the most famous location connected with the little bear.

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1. Portobello Road – Paddington Bear locations in London

Becoming part of the family in 32 Windsor Gardens, Paddington Bear has many of his earliest adventures around Notting Hill and Portobello Road. Here he becomes friends with antiques shop owner Mr Gruber.

Portobello Road is home to reputedly the world’s largest antiques market. Alongside stalls and shops filled with fashion, fruit and furniture.

Walking along Portobello Road today it’s easy to imagine Paddington popping into one of the many antique shops with Mr Gruber for their famous “elevenses”. Fans of the stories often enjoy searching for the kinds of quirky items that might have caught Paddington’s curious eye.

It’s quieter during the week when fewer of the markets are on, but visit on a Saturday for a full-on Portobello Road experience.

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2. Enjoy a night in Theatreland

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In the first book “A Bear called Paddington” the Brown family and Paddington head for the West End for a night at the theatre.

Of course he ends up on stage himself taking the play in a whole new direction.

We always love our trips to the West End and to see some theatre. There are so many different productions on at any given time.

London’s West End remains one of the most exciting theatre districts in the world, and Paddington’s chaotic theatre visit in the books feels entirely believable once you’ve experienced the lively atmosphere around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

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3. A trip to see the Christmas Lights on Oxford Street

No trip to London at Christmas is complete without seeing the lights of Oxford Street. As Paddington Bear discovered in the story “Paddington Goes To Town”.

Here he is mistaken for a busker’s assistant and gets into trouble with the police for performing without a licence.

Oxford Street is one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe and it’s easy to imagine the confusion that Paddington might cause here. During the festive season the famous Christmas lights attract millions of visitors each year.

Have a trouble free visit to the area and soak up the festive atmosphere where you might even be able to pick up your own Paddington for Christmas.

Read more: The best things to do in London with kids at Christmas

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4. Head to where it all began – Paddington Station – Paddington Bear locations in London

Paddington Bear’s arrival at the iconic London rail station complete with suitcase and a ‘Please look after this bear‘ label kicked off decades of adventures for the little bear and the Brown family.

The Paddington Bear statue in London can be found on Platform 1 at Paddington Station. Created by sculptor Marcus Cornish and unveiled in 2000, the statue shows Paddington sitting on his suitcase reading the famous label around his neck. It has become one of the most photographed literary statues in London and a must-visit location for Paddington fans.

Why not plan a gateway to the West of England. You can travel via Paddington Station.

This is a great station to spend a little time at either way if you’re a fan of the bear.

Make sure you check out the Paddington statue and seek out the bench where he was discovered by Mr Brown.

Nearby you’ll also find the Paddington Bear shop inside the station, filled with books, toys and souvenirs dedicated to the famous bear. For anyone searching for “Paddington Bear Paddington Station”, this is the heart of the story and one of the most iconic literary locations in the city.

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5. Catch some live music in Hyde Park

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Hyde Park is one of the largest and most famous parks in London, making it the perfect setting for some of Paddington’s outdoor adventures. The wide open spaces, lakes and walking paths are ideal for families wanting to recreate a little of Paddington’s London story.

In ‘Mr. Gruber’s Outing’ in the book Paddington at Large, our hero appears on stage once again, this time at an open air concert in Hyde Park looking for ‘Mr Sherbet’ (after mishearing the name of the composer ‘Schubert’!).

Catching live music in Hyde Park is something worth checking out. With many big names appearing at the numerous concerts and events taking place each year it’s great fun.

Or why not simply head out and explore this former hunting park for Henry VIII. It is now home to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, and boating on the Serpentine an ever popular activity for families.

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6. Christmas on the South Bank and the London Eye

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The South Bank is one of the most vibrant areas of modern London and offers some of the best skyline views across the Thames.

Michael Bond continued writing Paddington stories right up into his later years. So newer attractions in the capital made appearances in the stories including a trip on the London Eye in “Paddington’s Christmas Surprise”.

For example when his Uncle Pastuzo pops in to see his nephew.

We love this lively part of London especially at Christmas when the markets are sparkling and seasonal attractions appear.

The London Eye is a real treat for families to explore. And the views across the city in the evening skies are truly spectacular.

It’s easy to imagine Paddington gazing out across the city from the London Eye and planning his next adventure.

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7. Kensington Palace – Paddington Bear locations in London

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In ‘”Paddington and The Stately Home”, the little bear does what many of us must have secretly always wanted to do – have a nap on one of the beds in a palace.

Paddington Bear is finally found asleep on ‘Queen Elizabeth’s bed’ in the story. But why not head to one of London’s most famous stately homes and royal residence – Kensington Palace.

Here you can explore the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales and most recently that of her sons.

With regular events aimed at families throughout the year there’s lots to explore and enjoy here. And end your trip at the neighbouring play park named in memory of Diana.  

Get your skip-the-line tickets here

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8. Visiting the site of the London 2012 Olympics – the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

In the final book of stories about Paddington Bear to be written by Michael Bond, our hero is mistaken for a member of the Peruvian Olympic team. This is ahead of London 2012 and adventures of course are just around the corner once again.

The site of the 2012 games and more recently the 2017 World Athletics brought tens of thousands of people to this part of London. All to celebrate the best athletics on the planet.

Today the Olympic Park is one of London’s most exciting regeneration success stories. Visitors can explore canals, playgrounds, climbing towers and green parkland. It’s also home to the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the UK’s tallest sculpture, where visitors can enjoy views across the Olympic site.

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park remains both a memory to the games and the site of fantastic family walks, trails and great places to play.

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9. Natural History Museum – a Paddington film location in London

Another Paddington Bear location in London that fans will recognise is the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.

In the first Paddington film, the museum plays an important role in the story when the villain Millicent Clyde attempts to capture Paddington. Several scenes were filmed inside the famous building.

Even without the Paddington connection, the Natural History Museum is one of London’s best attractions for families. Children love exploring the enormous dinosaur skeletons, learning about volcanoes and discovering the natural world through interactive exhibits.

It’s also just a short distance from Kensington Gardens, where Paddington would often have wandered with the Brown family.

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10. Maida Vale – where the Brown family home was filmed

Fans of the Paddington films may be surprised to learn that the famous Brown family home at 32 Windsor Gardens was actually filmed in Maida Vale, not Notting Hill.

The colourful street used in the films sits along Chalcot Crescent and nearby streets which are well known for their pastel-coloured Victorian houses.

Walking around this area it’s easy to imagine Paddington stepping out the front door ready for another London adventure.

Although the address in the books is fictional, this neighbourhood captures the same charming London atmosphere that author Michael Bond imagined for the Brown family’s home.

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Paddington Bear London – Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Paddington Bear statue in London?
The Paddington Bear statue in London can be found at Paddington Station on Platform 1. See our full description above. The statue shows Paddington sitting on his suitcase reading the famous label around his neck. It has become one of the most photographed literary statues in the city.

Where did Paddington Bear live in London?
In the books by Michael Bond, Paddington Bear lives with the Brown family at the fictional address of 32 Windsor Gardens in Notting Hill. See our full description above. Although the street is fictional, the surrounding area of Notting Hill and Portobello Road inspired many of the early stories.

Can you visit Paddington Bear at Paddington Station?
Yes, visitors can see the Paddington Bear statue at Paddington Station (see our full description above) and visit the official Paddington Bear shop located inside the station. Both are popular stops for fans of the books and films.

What London locations appear in the Paddington films?
Several famous London landmarks appear in the Paddington films (see our full description above) including Paddington Station, the Natural History Museum, Portobello Road Market, and neighbourhood streets in Maida Vale which were used to film the Brown family home.

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Following these Paddington Bear locations in London is a brilliant way to explore the capital with children or fellow fans of the books and films. From the famous Paddington Bear statue in London at Paddington Station to the colourful streets of Notting Hill, these locations bring Michael Bond’s stories to life.

Whether you’re searching for where Paddington Bear lived in London, planning a visit to Paddington Station or simply looking for fun literary locations to explore in the city, these places offer a charming way to discover London through the adventures of one very polite bear.

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Read more of our London features here –

Find all our Best family hotels in London and Our ultimate guide to London with kids. And see our guide to 50 of the best things to do in London with kids.