From Hugh Grant’s Notting Hill to the array of hotel deals in Paddington London which capitalise on the location being linked to the famous bear from Peru, London is just not just home to some of the best film studios and cinemas in the UK – it has also been transformed into all manner of movie sets and surroundings for films.
In this blog, we move from the bear-centric accommodation near Paddington Station in London, to the most famous of movie stills and sets across the city. And we’re starting just a short distance from the hotels in Paddington London, at Kings Cross station.
Harry Potter
Kings Cross is arguably one of the most famous movie sets for the Harry Potter series, however it is not the only one. The station itself has a pop-up Harry Potter themed shop, with signage and plenty of memorabilia celebrating the fictional Platform 9 ¾ – often attracting queues of tourists wanting to have their photograph taken.
After picking up breakfast in Paddington or one of the cafes outside of Kings Cross, a Harry Potter tour of London can continue to the Millennium Bridge which Death Eaters supposedly destroyed in the final film, to Scotland Yard where the Ministry of Magic was set, and even to the Harry Potter photographic exhibition just by Covent Garden for a look at movie magic come to life.
James Bond
London is not London without the influence of James Bond and his team – with the movies playing on their prominence and the location of HQ on the river Thames as they create boat chases and explosion aplenty. Many of the movies feature the famous London skyline as part of their set, and it’s this which links London so intricately with the fictional but globally loved character.
Notting Hill
Did you know that while the famous small house with the blue front door has since changed its façade, the bookshop which was famously owned and run by Hugh Grant’s character is now called the ‘Notting Hill Bookshop’ in homage to the film?
In addition to this very obvious example of movie magic at its best, wandering around London will immerse you in several of the private community gardens which the two protagonists explore on their date.
Paddington Bear
The aforementioned bear is famous not just for his place in Paddington Station but also across London as the family move around some of the city’s famous landmarks on their adventures.
Some you may not have thought about…
Bridget Jones – Another London-based movie with multiple stopping points, Bridget Jones’ flat is actually situated on the South of the river just outside Borough Market. In fact, you can still see and recognise her front door next to The Globe pub.
Wimbledon – the film Wimbledon was indeed shot at the iconic tennis club, with the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum a great stopping point for those wanting to learn a little more about the film and how and where it was filmed.
What other movie locations and film favourites have you spotted in and around London?
