Paddington Bear Statue
please look after this bear
A bronze of the marmalade-loving bear sitting on his suitcase inside the station that gave him his name, free to find and free to hug.
Free to visit · Paddington · Paddington · W2 1HB
Opening: Station hours
Michael Bond imagined Paddington Bear after spotting a lonely teddy on a shop shelf near the station one Christmas Eve, and named him after it. A bronze statue now sits on the real Paddington concourse, the little bear perched on his battered suitcase with his hat and toggled coat, complete with the famous luggage label asking people to look after him.
It is free to find, free to photograph and a favourite with children, who clamber up beside him for a picture. A small, warm-hearted London pilgrimage tucked into a busy mainline station, and a lovely free detour if you are passing through.
Getting there: On the concourse at Paddington station, near platform 1.
Best time to go: Any time the station is open, quieter outside the commuter rush.
Insider tip: He sits near platform 1 by the station offices, easy to miss in the rush, so look for the small crowd of photo-takers. There is a Paddington shop nearby if you want to make a morning of it.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide