Movie Inspired Walks around London

London has been used as a backdrop for many films and television shows over the years, and many of the locations seen in these walks remain popular tourist attractions for filmgoers. Here are just a few of the sights you can see, and also film-inspired things to do during your visit to London

Notting Hill

 

Renowned as being the location for many a British rom com, the borough of Notting Hill provides tourists with the chance to explore locations that acted as backdrops for some of the most recognisable titles, including Love Actually and the film of the same name. Much of the filming took place in and around the streets of Portobello Road, famous for its bustling street markets and for being the location of the annual Portobello Film Festival. And whilst many of the locations may be slightly different from the movie itself, you can still enjoy a number of cafès and restaurants along the way.

James Bond

 

London is home to the headquarters of MI6 and the home of Britain's most famous fictional secret agent. Whilst most of the headquarter sections were filmed at Pinewood Studios, the city of London has helped provide the backdrop for a number of Bond adventures. Westminster Bridge was the subject of a chase scene in Die Another Day, and the River Thames was the scene for a thrilling high speed boat chase at the beginning of The World Is Not Enough. Indeed, there are opportunities to take a Bond-style boat tour, which will take you from the London Eye to Canary Wharf . Along the way you'll pass under London Bridge and alongside the headquarters of MI6, before turning round for a return journey that is an exhilarating race down the Thames, allowing you the chance to feel what Bond must have done in his pursuit of the bad guys.

Bridget Jones

 

London provides the scene for the story of Helen Fielding's heroine as she chronicles her quest to seduce her boss (played by Hugh Grant) Many of the film's locations are based around London's West End, with tourist attractions such as the Tate Modern Gallery and the Royal Courts of Justice acting as locations for some of Bridget's finest moments. Take in the sights of the museum and the Mall, or relax and enjoy delicious North African cuisine at Momo in Heddon Street, before journeying to the Strand and the Royal Courts of Justice – scene of the heroines' faux pax while working on a television show.

Harry Potter

 

There are many places around London that have featured in the films of the most famous boy wizard in the world. Take a quick stroll to Kings Cross Station and have your picture taken on Platform 9¾, or explore the reptile house where Harry first discovers he can speak to snakes (with comedic consequences) at London Zoo. There are a number of tours available that give you and the family the chance to explore locations that inspired the films, from the grand exhibition hall of Australia House (Gringott's Bank) to the entrance of the Ministry of Magic at the junction of Scotland Place.

London has also provided the setting for a number of indie films that went on to become classics, with everything from London hotels to restaurants featuring in many smaller productions. So why not take a stroll around the streets of Crouch End, where marauding zombie hoards stumbled through the streets in Shaun of the Dead, or grab yourself some pie and mash in Shepherds Bush a la Quadrophenia?