Paddington Statue
After greeting visitors near the Herb Garden, Paddington is having a change of scenery and can now be found perched on his bench in the Upper Close, a short distance from Norwich Cathedral Hostry entrance. We hope everyone enjoys visiting our marmalade-loving friend in his new location!
The story of how Paddington came to Norwich: We called on the community to enter the competition and STUDIOCANAL informed us they were delighted by the incredible enthusiasm it sparked! Many entries highlighted Norwich’s reputation as the “City of Stories”, showcasing the city’s vibrant storytelling tradition and commitment to bringing people together.
The statue was unveiled at an event attended by excited local schoolchildren, Cathedral choristers and even the Dean of Norwich, as everyone gathered to welcome their favourite marmalade-loving bear to the city.
Sitting proudly on a bench near Norwich Cathedral and dressed in his signature red hat and blue duffle coat, the city’s Paddington statue is waiting to meet visitors young and old. With 900 years’ worth of history waiting to be discovered, Norwich Cathedral is a perfectly suited location for our beloved bear, welcoming visitors to our City of Sanctuary.
The special statue is one of 24 dotted around the UK and Ireland as part of the Paddington Visits trail celebrating the little bear from Peru and the release of STUDIOCANAL’S Paddington in Peru movie.
Paddington the Popular!
Thousands of visitors came to see Paddington in the first week after the statue was unveiled in 2025 alone, with families queuing to have their photos taken. Based on a short survey conducted by Norwich City Hosts of 143 of those who came:
- In the first week when the statue was unveiled (Tuesday–Friday), we saw an average of 150 visitors per hour, and over half-term that number soared to over 250 visitors per hour!
- 75% of visitors had travelled more than 10 miles to see Paddington—many planning their entire day around him!
Speaking about the large crowds, Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich BID, expressed his joy: “The continued hugs and cuddles from local schoolchildren, business people, and residents highlights Norwich is the perfect home for Paddington, emphasising our rich storytelling tradition and welcoming atmosphere,”
Are you a Local Business Looking to Get Involved?
We’re excited for businesses to promote the fantastic news of our Paddington statue through promotions and events. However, understandably, there are a few important things to bear in mind when organising any Paddington-related activities. Please contact Tom at Norwich BID to discuss your ideas. We’ll be happy to share guidance from STUDIOCANAL on suitable events and work to get the OK on event proposals from STUDIOCANAL on your behalf.
Taking Care of Paddington at Norwich Cathedral
We want Paddington and all his visitors to enjoy his time in Norwich. When visiting, please take care, be respectful of others, and look after this bear. Thank you.
Click here for more details of how to get to Norwich Cathedral.