The Paddington Trail

Over the course of three weekends in November and December, Pumpkin, Daddy-man and I went bear hunting in London.

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Mummy-baby selfie on the train ride into London

 

To be more specific, we were hunting a Peruvian bear in a duffel coat and welly boots.

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The first bear we saw was in the City – Good Morning London (Michael Howells)

 

Yes, we were searching for Paddington Bear. More than 50 statues of the marmalade-noshing bear were on display across the city and we had a good time searching for them – mostly. There was a bit of frustration a couple of times when the statues weren’t where the map showed them to be – particularly in the area around Piccadilly Circus – but they were all so wonderfully decorated and who can resist that fuzzy little face?

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Paddingtonscape (Hannah Warren) – near Paddington Station

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Shakesbear (Michael Sheen), located near the Globe Theatre, this bear definitely had the best name – and he’s super-cute in his Elizabethan costume!

The bears were put out to coincide with the new Paddington movie and they were also used as a fundraiser for some children’s charities.

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Blush (Nichole Kidman) in Leicester Square, next to the Odeon where the movie premiered

 

 

According to the Paddington Trail website, more than 350,000 people used the site to plan their own bear hunt around the city and when the statues were sold at auction, they raised more than £750,000 for the NSPCC, childlike and Action Medical Research!

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Parka Paddington (Liam Gallagher) next to Liberty – while maybe not one of the more creative designs, this was one of my favourites.

Many of the bears were decorated by celebrities or public figures – such as Nichole Kidman, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Boris Johnson.

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The Bear of London (Boris Johnson) next to the National Gallery – I loved the double-decker bus for a suitcase and all the London Landmarks on his coat.

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Paddington Lloyd Webber (Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber) near Chinatown. His suitcase was changed to say “Wanted on Stage” instead of “Wanted on Voyage”

Others had a Peruvian theme, reminding us of the Londoner-bear’s immigrant roots.

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Taste of Peru (Peru) at Borough Market.

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Biodiversity (Peru), near Piccadilly Circus

And many were just plain fun!

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Bear Humbug (Ant and Dec) just off Oxford Street

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Sparkles (Frankie Bridge) on Oxford Street

I absolutely love it when this sort of thing comes to London. I remember the elephants that were around town shortly after we moved here, there were the Wenlocks and Mandevilles during the Olympics and there were the Easter Eggs a few years ago too.

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As well as the Paddingtons that were out in November and December, there were some double-decker bus statues that were out too. While we didn’t go looking for them, we ran across a few during our search for bears.

 

The first time I ever saw anything like this was when I went to Seattle with one of my best friends in 2002-ish. They had pig statues all over the city. One was dressed in a neoprene orca costume (it was named “Porca”). There was another that had been reassembled to look like a motorcycle (called “The Hog”) and there was one in a department store window, completely covered in mirror fragments like a disco ball. It was even on a turntable and had lights shining on it from every angle.

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The Hamley’s bear – Bearer of Gifts – was decorated like a half-unwrapped gift. It was the only bear we saw that was indoors and the shop was mobbed with Christmas shoppers. The toy store had plenty of Paddington toys for sale too.

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Paddington the Explorer (Ripley’s Believe it or Not) was one of my favourites. He had an Indiana Jones vibe and I loved the detail of the country sitckers on his suitcase.

 

I think the statues are fabulous. They add a bit of whimsy to the big city – and they certainly brighten up the otherwise grey winter days.

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One of the Peruvian-themed bears – Wonders of the World – at London Bridge station, and the Fragile bear (Ryan McElhinney) near the Tate Modern.

Plus, it’s a lot of exercise, traipsing around the city, looking for bears. We must have clocked in a few miles of walking and we even explored a few streets we hadn’t seen before.

 

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During one of our walks, we came across the Animals in War memorial, which I’d never seen before. It’s a beautiful monument with some very strong imagery. The animals on one side of the wall are weighed down with packs and artillery – but after they pass through the gap, they’re shown running free.

Although the Paddington statues have been rounded up and auctioned off now, you can see pictures of them all on the Paddington Trail website – there were so many that I wish we’d had time to see! While you’re there, why not donate to the wonderful charities that the project set out to help?

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The last bear we managed to see was actually labelled number one on the trail map – the one at Paddington Station. Paddington (Michael Bond) was dressed in his normal clothes and looked rather picturesque under the vaulted ceiling and in front of a train.

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While we were there, we also stopped by the permanent statue of the famous bear.

And, if you love these statues as much as I do, don’t worry – there’s another similar event coming up soon, which I’m SOOO excited about. Shaun the Sheep! He’ll be in all over London starting in March and I’m determined to see as many of those as possible!

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If you took part in the Paddington Trail, be sure to download your certificate on the website!


 

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall


Thanks for stopping by!

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12 Comments on "The Paddington Trail"

  1. I spotted a few of these when I was in London in November – you’re right, it definitely encourages people to walk more…I kept bumping into the same groups of people!!

  2. You did well! We did the Paddington one but couldn’t face going into town to do the other trails with the Christmas shoppers
    Louise Fairweather recently posted…Little Man Starts Pre SchoolMy Profile

  3. I think these are just wonderful – such a lovely idea.

    #MagicMoments
    fashion-mommy recently posted…The Sweet scent of Baby Powder from The Library of FragranceMy Profile

  4. I love the Paddington Bear trail. It has inspired my latest wildlife trail in making here at Coombe Mill. You did really well finding so many, it makes a great day out too. Well done on a great hunt. Popping by from #MagicMoments but do join me for Country Kids too.
    Coombemill recently posted…Eat Your GreensMy Profile

  5. what a great idea I love this x
    everything mummy recently posted…Lottie 11 month updateMy Profile

  6. Wow, that looks like so much fun. Sometimes I hate being so far away from the big cities!!
    FromMummytoMum recently posted…Magic Moments: Fun at the ParkMy Profile

  7. Oh these are wonderful – so intricate! I love the Shakesbear one #countrykids
    Samantha Rickelton recently posted…The Gruffalo’s Child trail – Hamsterley Forest, DurhamMy Profile

  8. The paddington trail looks and sounds like such fun. It’s a great way to bring art and stories together. I’m sad I haven’t made it to London to see it Zx #countrykids
    Zena’s Suitcase recently posted…The Big Birthday Party Debate!My Profile

  9. Oh wow, well done. We spotted a few bears when we were out and about but didn’t do the trail. Now I wish we had! #countrykids
    Californian Mum in London recently posted…Could You Have a Baby in the USA?My Profile

  10. Awww what a nice bear hunt! I love the gold one as its reminds me of the oscar statue =P

    #countrykids
    Merlinda Little ( @pixiedusk) recently posted…Reasons of Love – #3citiesMy Profile

  11. I’m impressed you went to London three times to spot the bears. They did something like this in our town for the zoo. Looks like you had lots of fun bear hunting x
    Jane – Our Little Escapades recently posted…Project 365 2015 Week 4 Days 18-24My Profile

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