Tickets go on sale on Monday (March 4) for the hotly-anticipated Paddington Bear Experience at London's County Hall.
Following on from the huge success of the live-action movies, the interactive, fun-filled adventure is set to open on May 31 - taking over more than 26,000 square feet of the iconic Southbank building.
Dedicated to Michael Bond's beloved character, it recreates some of the most memorable locations from the Paddington stories with themed rooms, activities and the chance to meet favourite characters.
Starting with the hustle and bustle of Paddington Station, guests will be greeted by a friendly station master and taken on a train journey through London’s most famous landmarks to the Browns’ house at No. 32 Windsor Gardens.
Once inside the famous tree adorned hallway, guests will be whisked into a whirlwind of multi-sensory activities as they help Paddington and his family prepare for a very special occasion – The Marmalade Day Festival.
With numerous themed rooms to explore, interactive games, character interactions, and lots of surprises along the way, the adventure will culminate in a special Windsor Garden Street party where visitors have the chance to enjoy the festival, with food and drink (including Paddington’s favourite marmalade sandwiches).
Paddington fans should also be on the lookout for ‘Mr Gruber’s Shop’ which has just opened at London County Hall. Inspired by the enchanting antique store in the stories, it offers the chance to buy tickets and merchandise.
The experience has been created by The Path Entertainment Group in collaboration with Lionsgate and The Copyrights Group, and creatives involved have worked on successful immersive shows such as Peaky Blinders: The Rise, at Camden Stables Market, Doctor Who: Time Fracture in the West End, and SAW: Escape Experience in Tower Hill.
David Hutchinson, CEO of The Path Entertainment Group, said: “For over three years we have been working diligently on the launch of the most ambitious Paddington inspired experience in the world, opening in the heart of Central London.
"The Paddington Bear Experience will allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Paddington and the Brown family as they journey through the iconic locations of the much-loved stories in a sensory, thrilling experiential adventure for all the family," he said.
"We look forward to welcoming fans of all ages to enjoy the magical world of Paddington that our incredible team has created."
Françoise Guyonnet, CEO of The Copyrights Group, added: "We're thrilled to be partnering with The Path Entertainment Group to bring all generations the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magical world of Paddington.
"Path’s attention to detail and passion for storytelling has really brought to life the marvellous world of our beloved bear. This rare sort of experience is the perfect destination for families looking for a fun-filled adventure, full of interactive gameplay and exploration. We cannot wait to see individuals of all ages come together to celebrate The Marmalade Day Festival!"
Author Michael Bond introduced readers to his character in 1958's A Bear Called Paddington, which saw the friendly, polite bear from 'darkest Peru' discovered by The Brown family on Paddington station.
The author lived for decades in Maida Vale, not far from Paddington Station, and although the fictional Windsor Gardens is located in Notting Hill, exterior street scenes for the films were shot in Primrose Hill.
Bond published his final book in 2017, the year he died, and he is buried, appropriately, in Paddington Old Cemetery.
The books have sold more than 40 million copies and been turned into live-action movies in 2014 and 2017 starring Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, Hugh Bonneville as Mr Brown, and baddies played by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.
A third film, ‘Paddington in Peru’ is due to be released in the UK on November 8 produced by STUDIOCANAL.
The Paddington Bear™ Experience opens at London County Hall on May 31 with tickets on sale on March 4.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here