Calling all movie buffs and London lovers! 🎬
London’s streets are bursting with movie magic, providing the backdrop for thousands of films and television programs. From iconic scenes etched into our memories to hidden gems only eagle-eyed fans can spot, take a walk around the city and recreate some of your favourite moments with our ultimate guide to London on film.
So, grab your comfy walking shoes and let’s rewind, replay and relive your favourite movie moments, all right here in the heart of London!
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Leadenhall Market
Nestled in the heart of London, Leadenhall Market is a breathtaking covered market that’s as rich in history as it is charm. With its gorgeous Victorian architecture and ornate shopfronts, Leadenhall Market is one of the oldest markets in London still open today.
If you’re a Potterhead, you’ll be delighted to know Leadenhall Market made a cameo in the first instalment of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and was one of the real-life inspirations for Diagon Alley. As you meander through its cobbled streets, head down Bull’s Head Passage to feel the pure magic of the wizarding world for yourself.
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2. Bridget Jones’s Diary – Borough Market
Just outside Borough Market in London’s Southwark, on Bedale Street, you’ll find the Globe Pub. Fans of the 00s rom-com will instantly recognise this building as the home to Bridget in Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) and its two sequels.
Filled with clumsy shenanigans and unexpected twists, the Bridget Jones franchise is a comedic classic. After you’ve grabbed a photo next to the iconic entrance of Bridget’s home, pop into Borough Market and explore its expanse of tasty delights!
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3. Spider-Man: Far From Home – Tower Bridge
Remember that epic final battle in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), where Mysterio and his illusionary Elementals wreaked havoc on London’s Tower Bridge? While the action scenes weren’t filmed on the real Tower Bridge, due to the bridge being a vital transportation hub, set designers got creative and constructed an identical copy at Leavesden Studios.
Complete with the iconic towers, walkways, and even the Thames flowing beneath, this action sequence where Spider-Man takes on Mysterio’s destructive drones is a true movie highlight. Spidey fans can, however, take a trip to Tower Bridge’s Glass Floors, where integral scenes with Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio were shot – just don’t expect your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man to swing by!
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4. One Day – Primrose Hill
Netflix’s 2024 adaptation of David Nicholls’ beloved novel has melted our hearts with its fourteen-episode romantic drama. One Day’s heartbreaking story is set across a tender 20-year friendship that spans Edinburgh, Paros, Rome, Paris and London!
In the third episode of One Day (2024), the romantic leads, Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, climb the lush summit of London’s Primrose Hill as they discuss their futures and career dilemmas whilst enjoying paper cups of wine. With gorgeous views of the capital skyline, recreate Emma and Dexter’s simple evening venture and watch the world go by at Primrose Hill.
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5. Friends – Westminster Abbey
In 1998, a little show called Friends (1994-2004) made its way to London town for the fourth season’s memorable finale (we all know the infamous wedding vows scene!) The gang also made their way to plenty of famous London landmarks, including Westminster Abbey.
Described by Joey as ‘hands down the best abbey he’s ever seen’, Westminster Abbey is the first stop on Joey and Chandler’s sightseeing tour at the start of ‘The One with Ross’ Wedding’. Later, in a now iconic scene, Joey returns to Westminster only to bump into Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, AKA ‘Fergie’, who makes an unforgettable appearance on Joey’s camcorder video.
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6. Love Actually – St Lukes Mews
If you’re a fan of Christmas movie classics, you’re bound to recognise this gorgeous multi-coloured London street. St Luke Mews in Notting Hill is the famous filming location in Love Actually (2003)’s iconic “Say it’s carol singers” scene.
As Andrew Lincoln’s character confesses his love for Keira Knightley through handwritten cards on her doorstep, viewers will spot St Lukes Mews’ rows of pretty houses as the scene’s backdrop. While Love Actually fans might prefer to visit this romantic filming location at Christmas, St Lukes Mews truly blossoms during the summer months!
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7. Napoleon – Old Royal Naval College
Dubbed by Empire magazine as one of ‘the most popular filming locations in the world‘, The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich has been featured in various movies over the years. For historical film buffs out there, Ridley Scott’s ambitious biopic, Napoleon (2023) sees the Old Royal Naval College incredibly reimagined.
With the help of clever CGI and cinematography, Old Royal Naval College’s colonnades are transformed into streets of Paris during the time of the French Revolution.
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8. Skyfall – The National Gallery
Even international super spy 007 couldn’t resist the allure of London’s cultural gems. Remember that famous scene in Skyfall (2012) where Bond (looking dapper as ever) meets the new Q in the National Gallery?
Arriving with gadgets galore, this memorable exchange between Bond and Q was filmed in Room 34 of the National Gallery with the impressive The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner hanging proudly in the background.
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9. Notting Hill – Notting Hill (of course)
You knew this one was coming right? In this classic 90s rom-com, a chance encounter brings Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant’s iconic characters together in a timeless romance story.
Set in the namesake neighbourhood of west London, Notting Hill (1999) has created plenty of famous filming locations that are still visitable today! Head to 142 Portobello Road to see Will’s bookshop, or 3 Blenheim Cres to see the original shopfront inspiration. Fans can also visit Will’s Notting Hill flat at 280 Westbourne Park Road and the communal garden the romantic couple visit in Rosmead Garden on Rosmead Road.
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10. Bridgerton – Hampton Court Palace
This Regency-era Netflix sensation has hit the streaming platform by storm with its glamorous costuming, epic love stories and charming British locations. Following London’s high society, Bridgeton (2020-present) has featured many splendid locations in its three seasons – from the Royal Crescent in Bath to Blenheim Place and Windsor Great Park.
But one of Bridgerton’s most prominent and famous locations throughout the series has to be Hampton Court Palace in west London. Dearest viewers are sure to spot this historical estate’s exteriors and interiors across the series, including Master Carpenter’s Court, Fountain Court, Clock Court, Base Court, the King’s Stairs and the Gardens.
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11. You (Season 4) – Royal Holloway, University of London
In 2023, the fourth season of the hit Netflix show You (2018-present) made the trip across the pond to London! As the infamous serial stalker, Joe Goldberg starts his new life in the UK capital, he takes to teaching and becomes a literature professor at the fictional Darcy College.
Architectural enthusiasts might recognise the college as the idyllic Royal Holloway, University of London situated in Egham, 19 miles from central London. The university’s Founder’s Building is the main backdrop for Darcy College’s exterior shots and interior corridor and classroom scenes.
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12. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Canary Wharf Station
This famous London filming location is a real blink and you’ll miss it! During the final act of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), main characters Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor and K-2SO infiltrate the Imperial base on Scarif in the hopes of capturing the secret plans to destroy the Death Star.
Eagle-eyed viewers might recognise a busy London tube stop as the setting for one of the Imperial base’s interiors. Location scouts for the Star Wars blockbuster chose Canary Wharf station as the perfect background for a futuristic space transport hub.
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13. Shaun of the Dead – Crouch End
The first instalment in Edgar Wright’s iconic Cornetto Trilogy, Shaun of the Dead (2004) has become a cultural phenomenon over the years. With its quotable moments and genius foreshadowing throughout, Shaun of the Dead’s most memorable scene has to be the ‘Walk to the Shop’ scene(s).
Near the beginning of the movie, Shaun, played by Simon Pegg, makes his regular, mundane trip to the local corner shop (Weston Park Grocery, 96 Weston Park, Crouch End). The next day, a hungover Shaun makes the identical trip, but fails to notice the chaos and impending zombie apocalypse on route!
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14. London Paddington – Paddington
Remember that heartwarming scene where Paddington (2014), our favourite marmalade-loving bear, is first found by the Brown family at the train station? Well, those bustling platforms were filmed at Paddington Station itself!
And here’s a fun movie fact you may not know: the filmmakers wanted a more timeless look for the exterior shot of the stations, so they swapped it out for the beautiful facade of Marylebone Station with its 19th-century charm.
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15. 28 Days Later – Westminster Bridge
Ever wondered what London would be like if, well, everyone suddenly vanished? Well, in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later (2002), we get a taste of that eerie feeling in some pretty iconic London filming locations around the city.
In the movie’s opening scene, four weeks after a mysterious zombie virus takes over the UK, Cillian Murphy’s character awakes from a coma and strolls down a deserted Westminster Bridge with Big Ben looming majestically in the background. But this wasn’t CGI trickery! The film shut down the bridge for short periods in the early hours of the morning, capturing the chilling emptiness with real London landmarks. Pretty cool, right?
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