With my overly excitable and big kiddish personality, I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that I love a fun children’s film, so when I saw the trailer for the new Paddington movie, of course I was massively thrilled. Alex usually gets dragged along to the cinema, packed full of screaming and giggling children, to watch these sorts of movies with me, but even this was one he actually wanted to see.

So when I came across the Paddington Trail, a fun adventure in London by the NSPCC and Studiocanal to celebrate the release of the film, my excitement tripled!  Paddington Bear statues popped up all over the city waiting to be found by curious children and eager adults.

I went on the search for the bears straight away, some being really easy to come across in the usual places I go in London, some hidden away in shops and down side streets, but following the map made spotting them really easy. We felt like big kids on a treasure hunt!

There are 50 bears to find in total across London and while I might not have found them all, I’ve spotted a fair few. Apart from the original bear (who is at Paddington Station of course) each bear is unique, having been designed by a different person, so finding each one is like meeting a different Paddington, all looking very dapper and super cute!

Blush was the first little bear I stumbled upon as it’s in such a central location, right in the middle of Leicester Square, that you can’t fail to miss it. Nicole Kidman created Blush and he shone bright gold in the unusually cold but sunny morning when I found him.

Andrew Lloyd Webbear has to be my favourite of all the Paddingtons.  His bright orange and black stripes means he fits in perfectly with colourful China Town. He also makes me extremely excited to be going to see Cats the Musical next year!

Bearodiversity, from Paddington’s native home in ‘Darkest Peru’, is another of my favourites as he reminded me of our recent trip to incredible Peru and the Amazon Rainforest.  We weren’t lucky enough to meet any of Paddington’s family on our trip though.

Parka Paddington, found by my sister Talia on Carnaby Street, can only have been designed by Liam Gallagher, wearing the singer’s trademark green parka.

This is Paddington the Explorer with his explorer friend (who didn’t look as happy as Paddington!) from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. I love his suitcase full of badges from his adventures all over the world!

Just in time for Christmas, the Bearer of Gifts waits to greet excitable visitors inside Hamleys where you can buy your own Paddington Bear to take home with you.

Wish You Were Here, found by my friend Dayna at London’s O2, takes on a bit of a rock image having been designed by Pink Floyd’s drummer, Nick Mason.  Apparently Paddington has tried his hand (or paw) at a bit of drumming himself!

Ballerina Darcey Bussell designed Rainbow Paddington who colourfully greets you outside the Royal Opera House.

And of course we had to have a selfie with one of the bears 😀

Ant and Dec’s Bear Humbug doesn’t look at all Scrooge-like standing in front of all the twinkly Christmas lights outside John Lewis on Oxford Street.

Ben Whishaw, the voice of Paddington in the movie, created this Special Delivery Bear in Covent Garden, much like the original Paddington who arrived in London in a sack of mail from Peru.

Another of Peru’s bears, my friend Karen found this one just below the Shard.  This is a bear that I definitely need to see for myself as his coat has an image of the amazing site of Machu Picchu which I visited earlier this year.

Created by Boris Johnson, the Bear of London sits in Trafalgar Square and displays some of the capital’s most iconic figures and landmarks on his coat.  His bus suitcase is the best suitcase I’ve seen on all the Paddingtons!

Have you spotted a Paddington Bear?

The bears are in London until 30 December so follow in Paddington’s footsteps and go exploring to find some yourself!