Paddington Bear – London film locations
Things to do in LondonThe UK’s gone Paddington mad. And all because on November 8th, the third Paddington film hits our screens, packed with an impressive cast. But away from the film, you can get closer to our favourite cuddly bear at one of these Paddington-related places in London.

Start in Paddington
How could you possibly start anywhere else? Paddington station is where the lovable bear first arrived in London from Darkest Peru. So naturally, this is the start of the Pawprint Trail of Paddington Bear statues, a great family-friendly way of exploring the area. From the station, the trail leads into Paddington Central and Little Venice. This was where Paddington’s author, Michael Bond lived and where the Puppet Theatre Barge provides a pleasant distraction for kids. And, of course, the Regent’s canal towpath in nearby Camden is where Paddington chases the book robber in Paddington 2.


Primrose Hill
On to Primrose Hill where real life Chalcot Crescent stood in for Windsor Gardens in the film. Whether you’re a Paddington fan or not, the street’s gorgeous pastel-coloured houses are always worth a visit. Primrose Hill borders the leafy slopes of Hampstead Heath and is one of London’s prettiest neighbourhoods. The area is popular with actors, musicians and artists. Wander through its residential streets to admire the Victorian and Georgian houses and if you’re feeling peckish, make tracks for its main high street, Regent’s Park Road, where you’ll find a great choice of local cafes – though perhaps not a marmalade sandwich.

Notting Hill
This equally charming area of London pops up in all the best films! And Mr Gruber’s antique shops really is an antique shop. In real life, it is Alice’s antiques store on Portobello Road in Notting Hill.
London’s museums
One of London’s most spectacular museums, the Natural History Museum, appeared in the first Paddington film. In fact, this was where Paddington baddie, Millicent Clyde, attempted to add Paddington to her taxidermy collection of endangered animals. A great family favourite, the South Kensington Museum is home to some spectacular sights including Hope, the huge blue whale skeleton, and dramatic fossils in the Dinosaurs gallery. Entrance to the museum is free.
St Paul’s Cathedral
If you saw Paddington 2, you may want to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, where Mrs Brown, Judy and Jonathan looked for clues to clear Paddington’s name. Another classic London landmark, Tower Bridge, appears briefly in the first film and again in the second.

Paddington Bear and London’s shops
Selfridges in Oxford Street is the place where it all started. Apparently, Michael Bond, then a BBC cameraman, couldn’t resist the sight of a lonely stuffed bear in the store and took it home for his wife. This led to the first Paddington book A Bear Named Paddington and the rest, of course, is history.
From Selfridges, head for Regent Street where London’s most famous toyshop, Hamleys, has a huge Paddington bear collection. And from there, it’s just a short walk to iconic food store Fortnum & Mason where, alongside the Paddington bear toys, you’ll find an extensive collection of delicious marmalades.
Paddington 3 plot
Paddington in Peru sees the return of several familiar faces including Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Broadbent, Imela Staunton, Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas. In the film the little bear sets off from London with the Browns and heads across the world to Darkest Peru to visit Paddington’s aunt. Who, it transpires, has set off deep into the Amazon on a journey. Naturally, what else can Paddington and the Browns do but follow?