From being a rich British cultural phenomenon to blending history with modern life, think of London as an all-around tourist destination that has it all. Amid the ever-rising inflation, London has been supporting both luxurious and cost-friendly tourism activities for avid travellers who are always looking for something special around the corner. Among the various activities, one of the highly appealing ones among travellers includes visiting the famous film destinations spread across the capital.
That is right. The city of London holds many secrets, but the filming destinations are only known to the cinephiles. The city has been featured in countless movies and TV shows, which has transformed it into one of the most visited destinations in the world. If you are also someone who would love to experience all the notable movie attractions up close, then you are in the right place. Let’s have a look at the famous filming destinations in London that are hard to miss on each visit.
Harry Potter
All Destinations:
- Westminster Station
- Leadenhall Market
- King’s Cross Station
At some point while travelling, we all wondered if we could visit the film sets and destinations for our childhood favourite Harry Potter series. The good news is that you certainly can access and explore these destinations up close. Firstly, we recommend visiting King’s Cross Station, which features the famous Harry Potter platform 9¾, along with the trolley disappearing into the wall. Also, do not forget to bring your wand and capture the memories before getting on board the Hogwarts Express.
Next, you can visit Leadenhall Market to experience the magical Diagon Alley. Seriously, the moment you step into the market, you will be sent back into the fantasy realm of Harry Potter with all the markets for wizarding shopping. Similarly, the Westminster Station can also provide the entrance to the Ministry of Magic with the red phone booths.
Since you will be travelling to visit these multiple attractions, there is widely accessible public transport to enjoy a full day trip cost-effectively. Or if you are travelling with a large group, a minibus hire in London is more reliable for saving time and money for your trip. In the end, you must choose the travel option that best suits your budget and preferences for all the members on board.
James Bond
All Destinations:
- Whitehall & Downing Street
- The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square
- Somerset House
- SIS Building
Bond movies are a pinnacle in British culture, and there is no reason to miss them out for your tourism activity in London. First up, visit the SIS MI6 building at Vauxhall for the most distinctive architectural design. Although you can not tour the building from inside, it is a great backdrop for some of the coolest photographic moments during a sunny or cloudy day.
Next, you must visit Whitehall and Downing Street to spend a day at several James Bond filming locations. Not only that, this destination is also famous for being the heart of the British government and one of the highly secured regions in London. Lastly, you can end the day with the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, which was filmed for Skyfall and Somerset House’s courtyard, which was a part of GoldenEye and numerous Bond movies.
Sherlock Holmes
All Destinations:
- Baker Street House
- Sherlock Holmes Museum
- St. Bartholomew’s Hospital
The BBC Sherlock Holmes was another transformative series that provided much detailed insight into British culture and detective history. But what is even more fascinating is that it was filmed in well-known destinations in London. This brings us to 221B Baker Street in Bloomsbury, which is in reality North Gower Street.
If the street was not enough, London also invites fans to the Sherlock Holmes Museum to explore all the mysteries together with a group of friends or family. The St. Bartholomew’s Hospital was also filmed for the Sherlock series because of its highly appealing Victorian architecture. Make sure to pay a visit and also capture a few images to remember your experience.
The Crown
All Destinations:
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace
- The Mall
Enough of the small neighbourhoods, we are now moving to the royal palaces and government buildings that were filmed for the famous show, The Crown. For that, you can plan a visit to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Mall. The overall architecture provides the most royal outlooks and backdrops, making these attractions a perfect spot to spend a day and remind all the prominent scenes in the show.
Final Words
London features all the famous routes, landmarks, and attractions that were featured in a variety of movies, TV shows and documentaries. All you need to do is travel to all of these destinations and experience a better cinematic experience in person. From Mary Poppins and My Fair Lady, to the Gotham Transformation of London and Bridget Jones, London blends all filming locations in a single city for you to explore together with friends and loved ones.
