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Paddington Bear Arrives in York

Just having his lunch before seeing the sights of York

The Paddington Bear statue in Dean's Park is a charming life-sized installation that arrived in York in October 2024. The bench features Paddington in his signature blue duffle coat and red hat, sitting with a half-eaten marmalade sandwich in his paw. They have recently moved Paddington to another seat nearby. This is because many of his friends (including myself, have taken the opportunity to have a selfie with him. This has led to the grass underneath the bench, as people sit down next to him getting worn. It was decided to move him a few metres away to a new bench.

The Story Behind the Statue

The statue was installed as part of the "Paddington Visits" trail, a nationwide celebration organized by STUDIOCANAL to mark the release of the film Paddington in Peru. York was chosen as one of 23 iconic locations across the UK and Ireland to host one of these special "bear-y" benches.

• Official Unveiling: The statue was officially welcomed on October 9, 2024, by York’s Lord Mayor and the Town Crier, who famously pulled a marmalade sandwich out of her own hat during the ceremony.

• A "One-Way Ticket": While many movie-related installations are temporary, project managers from York BID have noted they "bought him a one-way ticket," suggesting Paddington is intended to be a long-term resident of the park.

• The Design: The statue is meticulously painted and designed to look like the cinematic version of the bear, seated on one end of the bench to allow plenty of space for visitors to sit beside him for photos.

• Location: You can find him tucked away in the peaceful greenery of Dean's Park, located just behind the north side of the York Minster, offering a quiet spot with a spectacular view of the cathedral.

If you planning a trip to York to see the statue, I am sure you would like to know about other nearby attractions in the city centre.

York's historic centre is incredibly walkable, so there are many famous landmarks and dining spots just minutes away from Dean's Park.

Local Attractions

York is famous for its history and ghost stories, with several major sites located just around the corner from the Minster

• Museum Gardens is a beautiful botanical space featuring the ruins of St Mary's Abbey and the Yorkshire Museum

• Barley Hall is a reconstructed medieval townhouse that offers a fascinating look into 14th-century life

• The York Dungeon provides a more theatrical experience, using live actors and special effects to tell York's darker history.

• For those interested in the supernatural, Shadows of York Ghost Walk and The Deathly Dark Tours both offer guided evening walks starting near the Minister.

Nearby Dining

There are several highly-rated restaurants on Low and High Petergate and the surrounding streets that are perfect for a post-Paddington meal.

• York Minster Refectory is located right next to the Minister and offers a modern take on traditional British dishes in a historic setting.

• Forest at Galtres Lodge provides a rustic atmosphere with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and a popular afternoon tea.

• Fat Hippo York is a brilliant choice if you're looking for specialized "dirty" burgers and a more casual, lively vibe.

• Ate O'Clock is tucked away down a narrow alleyway and is known for its Mediterranean-inspired menu and cozy, clock-filled interior. This a little further away from Paddington, but well worth a visit.

• SPARK York is a little further down from Ate O'Clock, toward Piccadilly, and features various street food vendors housed in colorful shipping containers. This has been seen by many locals, a controversial project for many years. Personally, I think this a scene for street food, and I have been there many times and love the atmosphere.

• If you would like to know more about visiting York or other parts of Yorkshire, why not sign up for the upcoming Yorkshire Insider Newsletter that I am starting soon.

• As a blog writer who actually lives in Yorkshire and loves writing about his county, the Newsletter is my latest project to connect with people like yourself who is thinking about visiting my county, either for the first time or returning again soon because you really enjoyed the last time.