The beloved red-hatted Peruvian bear is back and will be putting his marmalade-smothered paws all over the idyllic grounds of Blenheim Palace this summer. Kicking off on June 30 and sticking around until September 3, Paddington™ Lo-Commotion is an immersive outdoor adventure which invites you to clamber on board a real locomotive and hunt for buried treasure around the sprawling gardens of the palace.
Like a classic Paddington™ tale brought to life, you and the family will be able to enjoy an entertaining mix of storytelling, interactive live performance and puppetry that will make you feel like the protagonists of your own story. Just remember, if you have a tendency to get peckish: ‘a wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency’ – or, you could always just swing by one of the palace’s many on-site cafés and restaurants.
Be sure to wear comfy shoes, dress for British weather (aka pack waterproofs and sun cream, cause you never know) and bring along pushchairs for any little ones. The 55-minute experience will take you on a picturesque 0.75km wander, where you’ll get to meet all your favourite Paddington™ characters and put your detective skills to the test searching for treasure. Along the way you can soak up nature; breathing in the fragrances of fresh flowers, strolling through daisy-strewn grass and finding shade under bowed branches of lofty oak trees.
That’s not all. There’s a brilliant range of activities to enjoy, including a ride on a miniature train that will take you on a charming journey through the palace grounds. There’s also an Activity Area, inviting kids to unleash their creativity with drawing, colouring and writing. They can pen a letter to dear Aunt Lucy, lose themselves in a book in the reading corner or even get a portrait taken with Paddington himself. There’s also the chance for children over the age of 4 to get behind the wheel in a miniROVER, giving them their first taste of being in the driver’s seat. Plus, if you’re a sucker for a memento, you indulge in a spot of retail therapy at the Paddington™ merchandise shop.
Whether you’re a Paddington™ fan or simply looking for some outdoor adventures, this is the perfect day out for all the family. The centuries-old Blenheim Palace has no shortage of fun things to do for all ages, from gorgeously historic interiors decked out with red velvet and gilded detailing to the Adventure Play park – a place for kids to let their inner adventurer loose with climbing frames, stepping stones, zip lines and more. So, even when you’ve unearthed buried treasure with Paddington, you’ll still have plenty of exploring, eating and playing to do.