A Big Day Out at Paddington The Musical

Make the most out of your day seeing Paddington The Musical in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre

A very familiar Londoner has found his way to the stage at the Savoy Theatre, and his appearance has caused quite a stir. Paddington The Musical has premiered to rave reviews, introducing the small bear on a big adventure to a new audience. If you’re thinking of heading to the Savoy Theatre yourself to see what all the fuss is about, we’ve got you covered. Here’s all the information you need to make a big day out of seeing Paddington The Musical, including restaurants, pubs, shopping and activities near the theatre.

Things to do near Paddington The Musical
Restaurants near Paddington The Musical
Shopping near Paddington The Musical
Bars and pubs near Paddington The Musical
Tube stations and bus stops near Paddington The Musical
On-theme activities for Paddington The Musical

Things to do near Paddington The Musical

There’s a ton to see and do within close walking distance of the Savoy Theatre. Just six minutes’ walk away, you’ll find The Courtauld Gallery in the picturesque Somerset House. This beautifully curated gallery contains works by the likes of Monet, Van Gogh and Cézanne. You can make a full museum day out of your trip and check out The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery while you’re in the area – both are ten minutes from the theatre and house huge collections of art, both created by and depicting big names.

Covent Garden is a six-minute walk away, where you might find street performers in the Piazza, exclusive pop-ups by major brands, and plenty more surprises. Whilst you’re there, snap a picture in the Infinity Chamber, the area’s famous tunnel of lights and mirrors.

For a unique group activity, try Spygames, just six minutes from the theatre. You and the rest of your party will test if you’re spy material by tackling a series of brainteasing and agility-testing challenges in high-tech interactive experiences, created with the advice of real CIA and Special Ops experts. Or, eleven minutes away, Bat & Ball Covent Garden is a ‘social playground’ offering a wide range of activities from darts, ping-pong, shuffleboard and pool to a minigolf course and karaoke rooms.

Restaurants near Paddington The Musical

There are plenty of great places to eat near the Savoy Theatre. For a special occasion, you have your pick of three memorable dining experiences from Gordon Ramsey within the Savoy. Savoy Grill brings you fine dining featuring the best in British and French ingredients, and was also recognised for having the World’s Best Wine List. The River Restaurant is your best pick for seafood, offering stylish but relaxed all-day dining overlooking the River Thames and Victoria Embankment Gardens. And if you really want to treat yourself, book one of the 26 exclusive dinner-only seats at Restaurant 1890, a tribute to chef George Auguste Escoffier who joined the Savoy in the restaurant’s titular year. Expect an expertly curated French tasting menu with European influencers.

Five minutes from the theatre, you’ll find Paro, a modern Indian eatery serving the perfect curry, made with 48 secret spices from the bazaars of India. We recommend their three-course pre-theatre menu. Also offering a great pre-theatre menu, with a regular and vegetarian option, is Fatt Pundit. This Indo-Chinese restaurant celebrates the sharing of culture with their unique menu, serving vibrant dishes in a casually elegant space. If you fancy tapas, Condesa is four minutes away and hosts guests in an intimate, cosy space, combining Mexican and Mediterranean influences to create a diverse, rotating menu of small plates.

For something casual but still quality, we recommend Joe Allen, the sister restaurant to the original New York joint. Here you’ll find a menu of wholesome New York classics and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Or, for the perfect pizza, Vasiniko serves it up Neapolitan style, using fresh, local ingredients, with delicious Italian desserts to finish.

Shopping near Paddington The Musical

There’s plenty of great shopping to be found near the Savoy Theatre. Covent Garden boasts a range of familiar brands and beautiful boutiques, making it a great place to search for the perfect gift or treat yourself to something special. Ten minutes away, you’ll find St Martin’s Courtyard, home to fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. Neal’s Yard, just twelve minutes away, is a shopping hub and a historical landmark in its own right, and its uniquely colourful design makes it the perfect spot for photos.

If you’re up for a longer walk, you’ll find Carnaby Street twenty-five minutes away, one of London’s most famous shopping streets, with a history dating back to the 1600s. Half an hour’s walk – or a short bus or tube ride – will take you to Oxford Street, where you’ll find over 300 brands waiting to be discovered nearby.

Bars and pubs near Paddington The Musical

There’s no shortage of great bars and pubs near the Savoy Theatre, and any of our recommended restaurants will be able to serve you a great drink. But a trip to the Savoy Theatre is the perfect excuse to visit the famous American Bar, the longest surviving cocktail bar in London. The art-deco space in the Savoy Hotel has served a staggering amount of famous faces over the years, and offers a menu of vintage cocktails, reimagined classics and new creations. Another must-visit for a cocktail connoisseur is Eve Bar, created by chef Adam Handling as a companion to his fine-dining restaurant Frog. Expect luxe interiors, stunning art and imaginative, high-quality creations.

The Coal Hole is one of the most interesting old pubs in the area, with a historic tie to the Savoy – it was reportedly once the site used by the Savoy Hotel to store its coal. Over 150 years later, it’s now a welcoming drinking spot serving great pints and pub classics. The Savoy Tap is another historic pub nearby, combining modern refurbishments with original details like its stunning stained-glass windows. Here you’ll find a warm atmosphere and an extensive range of ales.

For a great glass of wine, Plume Wine Bar is a hidden gem that prides itself on word-of-mouth marketing. This beautiful wine bar is set across two storeys in Charles Dickens’ former 1860s publishing house. For a social spot, Oche The Strand offers drinks and darts, serving a wide range of beer, wine and signature cocktails for you to sip on while you face off against your friends.

Tube stations and bus stops near Paddington The Musical

The closest tube stop to the Savoy Theatre is Embankment, served by the Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines, just a four-minute walk away. Charing Cross is a seven minute walk away, served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. It’s also the closest station via National Rail. Covent Garden, on the Piccadilly line, is eight minutes away. Multiple buses also drop off and pick up nearby. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for Paddington The Musical

The best companion to your trip to Paddington The Musical is The Paddington Bear Experience. This multi-room immersive experience on London’s South Bank lets you journey deeper into Paddington’s story, following the Peruvian bear and his friends into iconic locations. To see a bit more of the city, why not head out on a Paddington Bear Guided Walking Tour? If you don’t fancy booking this one, it’s not too difficult to find a list of related locations online and adventure through them at your own pace – Paddington’s pawprint is all over London!

Speaking of which, any walking tour will inevitably include a stop at the Paddington Statue, which stands beside Platform 1 at Paddington Station, the place where Paddington meets his new friends in the original story. Before or after seeing this moment depicted onstage, you can come meet Paddington yourself and snap a picture underneath the station clock. To learn more about Paddington’s journey – and the city in general – the London Transport Museum is a great activity near the Savoy Theatre. Here you’ll discover 200 years of innovation, enjoy seasonal exhibitions and events, and journey below the city on an underground tour.

Another place in the city where you’ll almost guaranteed to find Paddington is Hamleys. The world’s oldest tour store has been delighting kids of all ages since 1760, and it’s unlikely you won’t find anything to do with the famous bear across its many floors. Or, to dine like Paddington does, why not visit a café named after his favourite treat? The Bread and Marmalade Café in Hampstead Village offers home-cooked breakfasts, coffee and treats that any sweet-toothed small bear would approve of.

Paddington The Musical is booking now at the Savoy Theatre until Feb 2027 – find your tickets here