About Us

The Bear Garden was opened on 2nd November 1992 in Guildford by Andrew Colborne-Baber. Andrew graduated with a degree in French and German, but no idea of what he wanted to do. After turning down a couple of jobs in London, he started his own bear business after searching Guildford for a decent bear, which he could give as a birthday present! Andrew is believed to be the youngest person ever to have opened a specialist bear shop.
 
The Bear Garden is one of the UK's leading teddy bear specialists. In particular, The Bear Garden is one of the UK’s top stockists for famous German manufacturer, Margarete Steiff GmbH. But this is only part of the story, as The Bear Garden stocks teddy bears and animals from all the major manufacturers, as well as some beautiful work from leading bear artists.
 
In 1998 The Bear Garden went online and in 1999 its secure online ordering service was launched; a first for UK bear shops. In May 2006, the website was totally re-launched with a whole new look and lots of added features.

The Bear Garden also organises regular trips to The World of Steiff in Germany. They are great fun! If you think that you might like to join us on a future trip, then please do drop us an email and we will send you details.