London celebrates the Paddington launch

London celebrates the Paddington launch
By admin


This month British icon and one of the world's most loved bears is being given the star treatment as Paddington the film launches around the world.

But it’s not just the little ones who can enjoy the fandom, so British Airways and VisitBritain have teamed up to roll out the red carpet with five ways to follow in Paddington’s paw steps on a British adventure.

1. Travelling with children

Travelling with kids can be trying at times, so that’s why it’s essential to keep the journey as smooth as possible.

The team at British Airways provide children with entertainment packs as soon as they take their seats on long-haul flights to ensure they are kept amused throughout the journey, while the inflight entertainment gives them a choice of entertainment channels, cartoons and music.

2. London for first timers

The young hero was named Paddington after the station he landed up in – and anyone who visits London will soon discover it’s the ideal place to start your own great adventure.

Designed by a host of artists, designers and celebrities the trail of 50 Paddington statues are placed across the capital taking in the key museums, parks and shops which track Paddington’s favourite haunts, including the Natural History Museum in Kensington.

From April 2015, visitors to London will be able to embark on a three hour Paddington adventure with BritMovie Tours who are launching a tour dedicated to the Peruvian bear and the inspiration behind the film.

3. Real life Paddington fun

Just a hop, skip and a jump out of town is Chester Zoo, home to the inspiration for the little bear himself.

Paddington comes from ‘darkest Peru’, and so does the Spectacled Bear, or Andean Bears, that live in the zoo, along with warty pigs and banteng cattle, Sulawesi macaques, Sumatran orangutans and sunda gharial crocodiles. 

4. Bear buys

London’s Paddington Station has a dedicated Paddington shop and you can stop and pick up a Paddington memento and have your photo taken with the Paddington statue that you’ll pass by on your way there.

You’ll also find memorabilia of your favourite bear at markets such as London’s Portobello market or Hamley’s on Regent Street.

5. Make room for your luggage

British Airways has a generous free hand and checked-in baggage allowance, for all the extra stuff needed when taking kids abroad, as well as for all the purchase you’ll no doubt make in London town.

Furthermore, at the departure gate, families are invited to board first, and if passengers have a small folding pushchair, this can be taken right to the aircraft door at most airports. 

“This film is a huge opportunity that we really could not let slip through our paws!” VisitBritain’s marketing director Joss Croft said.

“The power of set-jetting is an important element in driving incremental tourism with the right film acting as free advertising, so we do all we can to capitalise on that.”

To mark the long anticipated launch of ‘Paddington’, British Airways is currently offering airfares to Britain from AUD$1771.74, for travel between January 16 and September 15 2015, and only on sale until December 31.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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