Red hat? Check! Blue duffle coat? Check! Emergency marmalade sandwich? Triple check! That’s right, everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear has landed in Birmingham. A trail of Paddington Bear statues, known as Paddington Visits, has been touring the UK and Ireland to celebrate the forthcoming release of Paddington in Peru in cinemas – and it’s finally come to the Second City
From Liverpool to Land’s End to Salisbury to Sunderland, good ol’ Birmingham and of course, London Paddington, bear-y special statues have been appearing on benches in cities, towns, and beauty spots across the UK and Ireland – and it’s free to visit! Each meticulously crafted and painted statue sports the wise bear’s signature red hat, blue duffle coat, and, naturally, a marmalade sandwich in paw.
Fans, friends, and family can now step into Mr. Gruber’s shoes, sit with Paddington for a spot of tea, a sandwich or two, or even write a postcard to Aunt Lucy on a bench at Medicine Terrace at Selfridges. This unveiling is one of 23 Paddington statues placed across the UK and Ireland from John O’Groats to Land’s End, created by STUDIOCANAL.
Speaking on the launch of Paddington Visits, a spokesperson from STUDIOCANAL commented: “We are delighted to launch Paddington Visits, a trail which will see everyone’s favourite bear bringing fun, kindness and warmth to communities across the UK. We hope that everyone seeks out their local Paddington, whether that’s dropping by for a chat about your day or to enjoy a marmalade sandwich or two while enjoying the view! Paddington is ready to welcome everyone!”
Locations taking part in the Paddington Bear trail
- Ashby de la Zouch – Ashby Spa WI Garden, Market Street
- Birmingham – Medicine Terrace at Selfridges, Bullring
- Bury St Edmunds – arc Shopping Centre
- Cardiff – St John’s Gardens
- Chester – Foregate Street
- Westport, County Mayo
- Edinburgh St Andrew Square Garden
- John O’ Groats – John O’ Groats Sign Post
- Lanark – High St
- Land’s End – Land’s End Sign Post
- Liverpool – Liverpool ONE
- London Paddington – Connaught Village
- London Westfield – White City, W12
- Manchester – Spinningfields, Hardman Square
- Newbury – Northbrook Street
- Newtownards – Conway Square
- Penrith – Town Centre
- Peterborough – Queensgate Shopping Centre
- Reading – Broad Street
- Salisbury – Fisherton Street
- Southampton – Westquay Shopping Centre
- Sunderland – Bridges Shopping Centre
- York – Dean’s Park
Paddington Visits launches ahead of the bear’s latest cinematic outing, Paddington in Peru, in UK and Ireland cinemas on November 8. This new adventure will see Paddington return home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With The Brown Family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.