All creatures great . . .

. . . and small

London is full of surprises—you never know what you might encounter when you turn a corner. Three worth checking out:

Wild Table of Love — Near the exit of the Elizabeth Line at Paddington Station, you’ll find The Wild Table of Love by artists Gillie and Marc. This striking bronze sculpture features Rabbitwoman and Dogman seated at a table surrounded by the ten most endangered animals in the world. Viewers are invited to join them at the two empty seats.

The sculpture is part of Love The Last, a public art initiative aimed at raising awareness, funds, and support for endangered species worldwide. The Wild Table of Love was previously on display at Paternoster Square from June 2022 to May 2023 and will be at Paddington until July 2026.

146 Praed St, London W2 1EE

Bonus : Just across the street is a charming clock featuring a lifelike man who “manually” adjusts the time every minute. This piece, created by Dutch artist Maarten Baas, is part of his Real Time series. The 12-hour recording blends art, design, and theatre, ensuring that every minute is unique. Once you start watching, it’s hard to look away. Similar clocks can be found in Amsterdam, Milan, and Venice.

Two Mice Eating the Cheese 
— Unlike the large-scale Wild Table of Love, Two Mice Eating the Cheese is London’s smallest public statue. Located on the exterior of an 1860s building near the popular Sky Garden, this tiny piece is said to commemorate two construction workers who tragically fell after fighting over a missing cheese sandwich—only to discover the sandwich had been eaten by mice.
23 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DE

These quirky art pieces are proof that it’s always worth taking a closer look around in London!

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.