Drinks receptions, networking evenings, Christmas parties and private celebrations for up to 150 guests can be held at The Paddington Bear Experience, which hires out two themed spaces and the full venue on request. The immersive attraction occupies the Riverside Building of County Hall, on Westminster Bridge Road on London's South Bank.
Seminars and company events
Companies book the venue for networking events, drinks receptions, team outings and end-of-year parties. Windsor Gardens, hired on an exclusive basis, has a screen, a projector, a microphone and event lighting, so a short talk, a film screening or a round of awards fits into a reception. Paint classes are also run in the space. In-house food and drink can be added to any booking. Groups of ten or more can book the walk-through experience itself, which leads visitors through a series of themed rooms with puzzles, games and characters from the films, a light option for a team afternoon.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are not part of the offer. Private celebrations are, from adult parties to children's birthdays, with birthday packages and group tickets sold separately. Paddington Station, the space that recreates the station where the bear first arrives in London, suits a drinks reception of up to 75 before guests move on.
Rooms and capacities
Two named spaces are listed for hire. Windsor Gardens takes up to 150 guests on an exclusive basis and is equipped for screenings and talks. Paddington Station takes up to 75 for drinks and networking. Hire of the whole venue is quoted on request. Both spaces use the attraction's sets as a backdrop, which gives guests photo opportunities with little extra decor. The enquiry form asks for guest numbers and whether food and drinks are needed.
Catering
Food and drink are provided in-house. The café at Windsor Gardens serves sweet treats, and the visit includes a taste of the bear's marmalade sandwich.
History and setting
The Experience is presented as one of London's newest family attractions. Its story has visitors help Paddington and the Brown family prepare for the Marmalade Day Festival, boarding a train from Paddington Station to 32 Windsor Gardens and on to the Peruvian jungle, with a calypso band along the way. County Hall stands on the Thames facing the Houses of Parliament, close to the London Eye and the other South Bank sights.
Getting there
Waterloo station is about a 10-minute walk, served by the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines. Charing Cross is about 15 minutes on foot across Hungerford Bridge, and Westminster station, on the Circle, District and Jubilee lines, is just across the river. London City Airport is the nearest airport.
