Our Paddington exhibition is now closed. Thank you to everyone who visited. 

Previous exhibition information

His heart-warming exploits and kind and caring nature have made Paddington one of the world’s most loved bears since his first appearance on the pages of A Bear Called Paddington. More than 60 years on his stories still delight people of all ages around the world.

Now fans, both big and small, can join Paddington as he sets off on a new adventure here at the British Library.

Whether tidying the attic, going to the laundrette or enjoying a birthday party, Paddington is forever making a mess. Follow his trail of marmalade splats to explore his tales of muddles and mishaps from his arrival in London, to home life with the Browns – but be careful to avoid Paddington’s toppling pots of paint!

For the older fans in the family, there’ll be a chance along the way to rediscover the many faces of Paddington that you’ve come to know and love, from original illustrations featured in the very first books to clips from the recent hit films and animated series.

And you can go right back to where it all began. Uncover the real-life inspiration behind the bear – through author Michael Bond’s own notes, his trusty typewriter and photographs that offer a glimpse into his remarkable life.

With a summer of family activities and events still to be announced there will be plenty to keep little sticky paws busy.

So don your hat and duffle coat, grab your travel case and join us for a marmalade sandwich-fuelled trip down memory lane.

An average visit to Paddington: The Story of a Bear lasts 30 minutes.

Travel partner: Great Western Railway

Paddington: The Story of a Bear is supported by the Unwin Charitable Trust

Planning your visit

Families of at least one adult and one paying child receive a 20% discount.

Seniors and concession tickets are half-price Mondays-Wednesdays excluding school and bank holidays.

We recommend pre-booking your ticket if you can.

We’re still asking everyone to wear a face covering while they’re here, especially when speaking with staff and other users or in a crowded place.

Find out how we’re welcoming you to the Library safely.

If you can't attend, we'll reschedule your visit

In the event of future closures or if you need to cancel your visit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will offer you alternative dates if available or a full refund.

Accessibility

To reduce contact in our galleries, physical copies of large print guides won’t be available. You can still view a digital copy of the Paddington: The Story of a Bear large print guide (PDF) that you can look at on a smartphone or tablet, or print out before your visit.

Data Protection and Track & Trace

In addition to collecting contact details as part of our normal booking process, we will also be recording the times that users enter and leave our premises in order to reduce the risk of a local outbreak of coronavirus.

In line with guidance issued by the Department for Health and Social Care, we will keep these details for 21 days. We will share your contact details with Test and Trace personnel, if asked, in the event of a fellow user or staff member testing positive for coronavirus.

Your data will be kept secure and handled in line with ethical standards and the Data Protection Act at every stage of the process – from its collection and storage by us to its transfer and use by NHS Test and Trace. NHS Test and Trace will handle all data according to the highest ethical and security standards and it will be used only for NHS care, management, evaluation and research.

The Library’s Privacy Policy can be found on our website.