Paddington Bear

A British Icon

Paddington Bear first appeared in the British children’s book A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond, published in 1958. Bond, who lived near Paddington Station in London, chose this location as the spot where the Brown family finds the bear after his journey from Peru. Today, a bronze statue of Paddington marks this famous spot on Platform 1 at Paddington Station. In addition to a shopping kiosk, the station also features the Paddington Shop — the only store in the world dedicated to the beloved character.

The Paddington books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The films Paddington (2014), Paddington 2 (2017), and Paddington in Peru (2024) have helped bring this charming bear to life on the big screen. To celebrate the latest film and Paddington’s role as Welcome Ambassador, a Paddington Bear mural can be seen on Sutton Walk, just outside of Waterloo Station, until January 2026.

In both British and popular culture, Paddington has also enjoyed a special connection with Queen Elizabeth II. In the 1986 book Paddington at the Palace, the bear claims to have spotted the Queen in a window, and in the 2006 pantomime play The Queen’s Handbag, Paddington participated in celebrations for her 80th birthday. However, perhaps the most unforgettable Paddington moment occurred during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, when the bear shared a cream tea and marmalade sandwiches with her in a special televised sketch. Following the Queen’s passing later that year, Paddington’s heartfelt message, "Thank you, Ma’am, for everything," went viral, capturing the public’s affection and admiration for both the Queen and the bear.

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Van Gogh All-Nighter

Tickets on sale January 17th

If you put off seeing the sellout exhibition Van Gogh : Poets & Lovers, the National Gallery will release a special set of night-time tickets for the final weekend when the Gallery will be open 24 hours (9 pm January 17 - 10 am January 18).

This is only the second time the Gallery has been open overnight in its 200-year history - the first was Leonardo da Vinci : Painter at the Court of Milan in 2012.

The Van Gogh exhibit is the third most popular exhibition in the National Gallery’s history, with here 280K+ people since it opened in September 2024.

It is the Gallery's first exhibition devoted to Van Gogh and the only one to focus on the artist’s transformation during his time in Arles and Saint-Rémy and features 60+ works of Van Gogh's most beloved drawings and paintings, as well as rarely seen works from museums and private collections from around the world.

Tip : Limited number of Member Tickets available for late and overnight opening hours www.nationalgallery.org.uk ✆ +44 2077 472885
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

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See it Live in 2025

Top theatre starting at £10

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Previously known as Get Into London Theatre and The New Year Sale, See it Live in 2025 offers top theatre tickets for £10, £20, £30, £40, £50 & £60. Book tickets for select performances by January 31, 2025.  Ones not to miss:

Longest running shows . . .

• Mouse Trap (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 73 years and counting
• Les Miserables (£30, £50, £60) — Over 15,000 shows

Global award-winning . . .

• Matilda : The Musical (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 100+ global awards, 13+ year West End run
• Wicked (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 100+ global awards, 10th longest-running production in West End history

Great musical artists . . .

• MJ : The Musical (£50, £60) — Tony Award-winning new musical
• Tina : The Tina Turner Musical (£30) — Five years on the West End presented in association with Tina Turner

From the movies . . .  

• Back to the Future : The Musical (£30, £40, £50, £60) — Olivier Award winner 2022 Best New Musical
• Disney's The Lion King (£30, £40, £5-) — Award-winning musical in its 23rd year

For music lovers . . .

• The Choir of Man (£20, £30, £40, £60) — Olivier Award-nominated show transfers to West End March 12, 2025
• The Curious Incident of Benjamin Button (£20, £30, £40, £50l £60) — Winner Best Musical Production 2024 Off West End Awards

Longest running comedy . . .

• The Play that Goes Wrong (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 11-year West End run

Original cast returns . . .

• Hadestown (£20, £30, £40, £50, £60) — Original cast members from Broadway and National Theatre return for a limited run February 11 - March 5, 2025

Be the first to see . . .

• 101 Dalmatians (£30, £40, £50, £60) — Limited 6-week run July 17 - August 30, 2025)
• Clueless : The Musical (£50, £60) — February 15 - June 14, 2025

Tip #1: If you are local and have some flexibility timing wise, you may be able to select comparable (or even better prices via TodayTix or TKTS apps closer to date.

Tip #2 :  Use Seat Plan or Which Seats to checkout reviews and view from fellow theatre patrons (restricted view seats can be worth the the discounted price)

Book now before the promotion ends January 31st!

www.OfficialLondonTheatre.com

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Best of 2024, Part II

Top 10 posts — Part II

The best of the best from 2024

5. Stylish Shops & Tea — London's oldest shopping arcades
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/05/stylish-shops-tea.html

4. Hampton Court Riverside Tea — Two options within walking distance of Hampton Court
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/06/hampton-court-riverside-tea.html

3. Kew Gardens bloom — A World Heritage Site and one of London's top attractions that is home to over 50,000 plants
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/04/kew-garden-blooms.html

2. 10 Must-see shows — Catch these during Official London Theatre Sale, one of London's longest-running promotions for top London shows
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/10-must-see-shows.html

1. Top Bonfire Nights — Three top ones taking place over the weekend and the day of
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/10/top-bonfire-night-fireworks.html




More to come in 2025!

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Best of 2024

Top 10 posts — Part I

Themed events were particularly popular this past year— it's not too early to mark your diary for 2025:

10. Wimbledon Walk — Sampling of stops to make, including this year's standout shops
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/07/wimbledon-walk.html

9. Kids Eat Free Half-Term — . . . and beyond
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/kids-eat-free-half-term.html

8. London Theatre Week — £15-£35 tickets for over 60 shows
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/03/london-theatre-week.html

7. London Cocktail Week — Features signature cocktails for £8 at 200+ venues
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/09/london-cocktail-week.html

6. International Chocolate Day — 7 of the best chocolatiers in London and Surrey
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/08/international-chocolate-day.html



Best of 2023 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2024.

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Seasonal Gifts

Starting at £5

Whether you are looking for an affordable stocking stuffer or a gift that adds to the season, here are some top picks:

M&S Scottish Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuit Tin (£5) — All-butter shortbread squares with dark chocolate chips in a decorative British Union Jack flag tin.

Liberty of London Chocolate Coin (£6.95) — Giant chocolate coins for kids and kids at heart!

Liberty of London Ornament (£8.95) — Glass ornament featuring iconic London landmarks.

M&S Jaffa Cake Clock (£11) — Tin includes bite-sized dark chocolate orange Jaffa Cakes and features a Lid with a working clock.

Alison Gardiner Palace of Westminster Puzzle (£12.92) — Palace of Westminster Christmas scene adorns this 1000-piece puzzle.

Clementine Gin Liqueur Snow Globe (£21) — Snow globe filled with clementine flavored gin liqueur with edible gold leaf.

Silent Pool Gin (£42.50) — Handcrafted English gin with 24 botanicals from the Surrey Hills.

Add-On : Pair with a rose gold wireless bottle lamp so it can become a table lamp after the gin is finished.

Give early so they can be enjoyed during the season and beyond!

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Festive Advent Calendars

Something for everyone on your list

With a week less between Thanksgiving (for those that celebrate) and Christmas, the holidays seem to be coming up much more quickly than usual.  Not to mention, Advent calendars have been on display beginning in early October. Stock up now for everyone on your list:

Lindt (£7) — A piece of milk chocolate behind each window — 24 in total.

Cadbury HEROES (£7.50) — Features miniature bites include Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel, aCreme Egg Twisted, Eclair, Fudge, Twirl, Wispa and a milk chocolate mini Santa. 

Pukka Tea (£11.45) — Assortment of 24 black and green teas and infusions.

Ferraro Collection (£15) — Selection of 24 gourmet chocolate including coconut, dark, hazelnut and milk chocolates.

Baylis & Harding (£33) — 12 days of pamper products, including bath bubbles, lotions, soak crystals, soap and shower wash and more.

Liberty of London Chocolate Advent Calendar (£34.95) — Selection of caramels, chocolates and pralines by Charbonnel et Walker one of Britain's first and finest chocolatiers.

Or if you want to go all out . . . . 

Liberty of London Beauty Advent Calendar (£260) — Worth over £1,205, it features 28 products, including 18 full-sized items from some of the best brands in fragrance, hair, makeup and skincare.

Liberty of London Men's Advent Calendar (£245) — Worth over £700, it complements Liberty's Beauty Advent Calendar and features 25 products, including 14 full-sized items for men's grooming needs.

Head to the shops or shop on-line before they are gone!

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