London is a popular setting in films and has also been featured on the cover of various famous albums.

From the location-setting images of Big Ben in the film, Independence Day, to the famous pedestrian crossing on the cover of the Beatles' Abbey Road album, images of London often appear on screen and in print.

Many of the locations are still as they were when captured on film - and they are free to visit.

Film and Album Cover Locations


Film Locations



Big Ben

big ben

A shot of Big Ben on its own or in a panorama of London is often used within a film to establish its location here.

In Independence Day, Big Ben was destroyed. A mock up of the clockface was used in The 39 Steps.

Nearest underground station: Westminster

Albert Bridge

albert bridge

The Albert Bridge is one of London's most ornate bridges.

It has featured in films such as Absolute Beginners, Sliding Doors and Stanley Kubrick's much studied film, A Clockwork Orange.

Nearest stations: South Kensington (underground), Battersea (rail)

Kings Cross Station

platform 9 and three quarters Kings Cross

Kings Cross station may be well known to Harry Potter fans as it is where the Hogwarts Express supposedly departs - from platform 9 3/4.

There is a sign on the arched wall between Platforms 4 and 5 indicating its location.

Nearest underground station: Kings Cross

Borough market area

borough

The area around Borough market has many streets that are little changed from Victorian times.

Some of the films made around here include Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (in Park Street), Bridget Jones Diary (around Borough Market) and The Elephant Man (in Clink Street).

Nearest underground station: Borough

Notting Hill

notting hill

Notting Hill is an area favoured by filmmakers as places where their characters live and work.

In the 60's version of Alfie, Alfie's flat was at 29 St Stephens Gardens. And in Notting Hill, Hugh Grant lived at 280 Westbourne Park Road. Sadly, the blue door has now been replaced.

Nearest underground station: Royal Oak

Somerset House

somerset house


Somerset House on the Strand has a wonderful courtyard.

Not only is it converted to an outdoor ice skating rink in winter, but it has been used as a set for the James Bond films, Tomorrow Never Dies and Goldeneye.


Nearest underground stations: Temple, Charing Cross, Embankment

Leadenhall Market

leadenhall market

This charmingly restored medieval covered market in the City of London has been used as a set in various recent films.

In Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, 42 Bullis Head Passage was the site of The Leaky Cauldron, and in Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, Angelina Jolie rode through the market on her motorbike.

Nearest underground station: Bank

Hampstead Heath area

parliament hill

The area around Hampstead Heath includes places such as Kenwood House and Parliament Hill.

Many films have been shot here including Notting Hill (Kenwood House), The Omen (Parliament Hill) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (on the Heath itself)

Nearest underground stations: Hampstead, Belsize Park