Though he’s been beloved for over 50 years, Paddington Bear has been having a notably good year. Not only will the lovable Peruvian bear—the creation of author Michael Bond who first appeared in the children’s novel A Bear Called Paddington—be coming to the silver screen in the feature film “Paddington” (premiering in the US January 16, 2015) starring Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, and Ben Wishaw, but he was also recently honored in a big way by his adopted city.
The Paddington Trail, a series of 50 Paddington statues designed by British celebs (including Bonneville and Kidman, as well as Emma Watson, David Beckham, Benedict Cumberbatch, and many more) placed all over the city to mark must-see landmarks and attractions all with a tie-back to Paddington’s story, launched by London & Partners, NSPCC, and STUDIOCANAL in London earlier this month.
Though the Trail—which starts at Heathrow Airport and ends at the O2 Arena—officially runs only until December 30, 2014 (they’ll then be auctioned off to benefit the NSPCC and ChildLine to prevent cruelty to children), there’s still plenty of bear-inspired fun to be had for families planning an across the pond visit in 2015. So, mark your calendars for the film next month (visit paddington.com for details) and get inspired by one very special marmalade-loving furry friend and the loveliness of London.
And for our interview with celeb dad Hugh Bonneville (who plays Mr. Brown in the film), click HERE!
STAY
If your sights are set on a quaint English experience, head to the charming Draycott Hotel, which is housed in three restored Edwardian red-brick townhomes, in the equally charming (and quite posh) Sloane Square neighborhood. Not only does the hotel offer spacious and comfortable rooms (and did we mention that each room or suite is named after a famous author?) but also recently launched a special Paddington Bear package available through April 2015). The package includes accommodation in a family suite, a take-home Paddington Bear, a full English breakfast, afternoon tea with a mini-tea option available for children, tickets for hop-on-hop-off bus tour of London with an official Paddington Bear guide book, and an exclusive scrapbook to capture all the memories.
Looking for sleek and modern accommodations that still boast a British sensibility? Check into the athenaeum (rumored to be a fave of more than a few celebs) in the high-society ‘hood of Mayfair. Not only are the rooms state-of-the-art, but the afternoon tea—currently customized with Paddington-approved treats like special orange marmalade with scones, along with traditional favorites like cucumber sandwiches and Battenberg cake—is consistently considered to be one of the city’s very best.
EAT
As most fans know, Paddington Bear originally made his way to the bustling city of London from Peru (where he lived with his aunt and uncle). And coincidentally (or not), London is currently going through a very exciting—and very tasty—Peruvian food and restaurant explosion. If you’re unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine, it’s hallmarked by bright and flavorful ceviche dishes, hearty meat skewers, and refreshing desserts. For an upscale dining experience, Mayfair’s Coya Restaurant subtly fuses Asian influences with traditional Peruvian fare for tastes that are truly remarkable (we loved the salmon nekkei ceviche and the papa seca served in an iron skillet with potatoes, squash, and a poached egg). Plus, there’s a scrumptious kids’ menu for the little ones and a luxe pisco sour bar for mom and dad.
For a taste of Peru that’s more lunch-time-treat than posh-dinner-date, check out Ceviche in SoHo. The vibe is relaxed with plenty of eye-catching décor—making it perfect for a nosh stop on a busy day of sight-seeing. The dishes are also delightfully presented—so even a quinoa salad feels like a special treat—and decidedly family-friendly. Parents can let the kids snack on crispy plantain chips while they dig into any number of briny ceviches (our fave was the Chorrillos in the House variation featuring mussels, prawns, and chewy octopus), smoky skewers, and imaginative salads.
SHOP
The high street shops on Oxford and Regent streets are a must for most city visitors, but no department store beckons quite like Selfridges. The lore of Paddington is that Michael Bond was inspired to write the story after purchasing a bear for his wife at Selfridges on Christmas Eve 58 years ago. If you can make it to the iconic store before January 4, 2015, don’t miss the Paddington Curiosity Shop (featuring costumes from the movie on display, vintage bears, and special treats and toys for sale, and a Kate Moss-designed gold Paddington statue).
Otherwise, simply take advantage of the store’s distinctly British aesthetic and multitude of departments (hint: the toy department is towards the top)!
For a more traditional London shopping adventure, head over to Southwark to peruse Borough Market. This 1,000-year-old market is any foodie family’s dream—and the perfect spot to concoct the ultimate tribute to Paddington Bear: A marmalade sandwich! First, snap up some fresh London Bloomer bread from Bread Ahead. Then, pick up a few jars of Jill’s Natural Preserves’ Dark Hunky Seville Marmalade (made especially for the Paddington Trail—molasses is rumored to be the secret ingredient) to seal the deal—or rather, to seal the sandwich.
LEARN
One of London’s most fabulous traits as a city is that fact that the majority of its world-class museums are free to the public! If your kids are loving the high-speed chase scenes from the Paddington movie, suggest the Natural History Museum where those parts were filmed! Of course, once you arrive at the NHM, the engaging exhibits—from Darwin to dinosaurs to the newly-opened Treasures gallery—are sure to delight each member of the family with no cajoling needed. Plus, through January 4, 2015, take advantage of the NHM’s enchanting ice rink!
Other museum musts for curious families include the Museum of London—a contemporary culture goldmine featuring a “Bear Called Paddington” exhibit through January 4, 2015 and a “Sherlock Holmes: The Man Who Never Lived & Will Never Die” exhibit through April 12, 2015; and the House of Illustration—which is showing a special exhibit through January 4, 2015 called “Paddington: Illustrated and Animated” exploring how different illustrators and animators have interpreted Michael Bond’s much-loved bear, along with a great exhibit for artsy tweens, teens, and parents called “Paula Rego / Honore Daumier: Scandal, Gossip and Other Stories” through March 22, 2015.
For more tips on planning your trip to London, see visitlondon.com & look out for a London travel piece in our upcoming December 2014 issue!
