The 10 Most Famous Film Locations in London You Have to Visit

Lights, camera, London! It won’t be surprising to hear this iconic city has starred in hundreds of films, from magical adventures to spy thrillers. What you may be surprised to hear if you can walk through the very same locations. 

Take a stroll through Diagon Alley, stand where James Bond met Q, or follow Paddington Bear through the capital. There are so many magical famous film locations in London you can enjoy in real life, and our Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour makes that a reality.

Red Phone Booth in brick alleyway

Highlights

  • Discover 10 famous film locations in London that you just have to go to when visiting the city

  • Walk the same streets as Harry Potter, James Bond, Paddington, Sherlock Holmes and more

  • Find the closest landmarks to each location and how to get there with our bus tours

What Are the Most Famous Film Locations in London?

From blockbuster franchises to beloved British classics, London's streets have become the backdrop to some of cinema's most memorable moments. Whether you're a devoted movie fan or simply looking for unique places to impress the kids, these famous film locations in London are well worth adding to your itinerary.

1. Harry Potter — Platform 9¾, King's Cross & Leadenhall Market

No film franchise is more closely linked with London than Harry Potter. Begin your journey at Platform 9¾ inside King's Cross Station, where Harry and his friends boarded the Hogwarts Express. Just next door, St Pancras International provided the dramatic exterior seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Continue to Leadenhall Market, whose ornate Victorian walkways became Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Bull's Head Passage also doubled as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, making it one of the capital's most recognisable filming locations.

igor-sporynin-2rnf2ddbz40-unsplash

Closest landmark: King's Cross & Monument

2. James Bond — The National Gallery & Whitehall

For more than 60 years, James Bond has made London his playground. One of the franchise's most memorable scenes takes place inside the National Gallery, where Bond meets Q beneath Turner's The Fighting Temeraire in Skyfall.

Outside the gallery, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge and the nearby SIS Building at Vauxhall have all appeared throughout the Bond series. Best of all, the National Gallery is free to enter, making this one of London's easiest famous film locations to experience.

Closest landmark: Trafalgar Square

3. Paddington — Paddington Station & Portobello Road

Everyone's favourite marmalade-loving bear calls London home.

Begin at Paddington Station, where the friendly bear first arrived from Peru. Afterwards, head to Portobello Road in Notting Hill, home to Alice's Antiques, which appeared as Mr Gruber's shop throughout the Paddington films.

With colourful houses, bustling market stalls and plenty of cafés, it's one of London's most charming neighbourhoods for families and film fans alike.

tomek-baginski-XU6-71oVJd8-unsplash

Closest landmark: Paddington Station & Notting Hill Gate

4. Sherlock Holmes — Baker Street

Whether you know Sherlock from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories or the BBC's Sherlock, 221B Baker Street remains one of London's most famous fictional addresses.

Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum before exploring nearby North Gower Street, where exterior scenes for the BBC television series were filmed. Fans can also head to St Bartholomew's Hospital, another recognisable location from the series.

huan-yu-iEYGdGUvQz0-unsplash

Closest landmark: Baker Street

5. Notting Hill — Portobello Road & The Famous Blue Door

Long before it became an Instagram favourite, Notting Hill captured hearts in the romantic comedy of the same name, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.

Start on Portobello Road, where the colourful market, independent shops and lively cafés provided the backdrop to many memorable scenes. Just a short walk away, you'll find the film's famous blue door at 280 Westbourne Park Road, the entrance to William Thacker's flat. The original door was auctioned for charity after the film's success, but a blue replacement now welcomes fans looking to recreate one of London's most iconic movie moments.

Together, the blue door, pastel-coloured streets and bustling market make Notting Hill one of London's most photogenic neighbourhoods and a must-visit for film lovers.

damiano-baschiera-YFFoCzvceWU-unsplash

Closest landmark: Notting Hill Gate

6. Bridget Jones's Diary — Borough Market

Fans of Bridget Jones's Diary will recognise Borough Market as the location of Bridget's famous flat above The Globe Tavern on Bedale Street.

While you're retracing Bridget's footsteps, you can also enjoy one of London's oldest food markets, filled with artisan produce, street food and independent traders. It's the perfect stop for lunch between filming locations.

Closest landmark: London Bridge

7. Spider-Man: Far From Home — Tower Bridge

Marvel brought superheroes to London in Spider-Man: Far From Home, with Tower Bridge taking centre stage during the film's spectacular finale.

One of the most famous film locations in London, the bridge has also appeared in numerous action films over the years. Whether you're crossing it on foot or admiring it from the South Bank, it's one of the city's most cinematic sights.

DJI 0343 The Original Tour - Bus 260705 Neil Stoddart

Closest landmark: Tower Bridge

8. Love Actually — St Luke's Mews

Few Christmas films are as closely associated with London as Love Actually.

The colourful houses of St Luke's Mews provided the backdrop for one of the film's most memorable scenes, while other locations across the city include Selfridges, Grosvenor Chapel and Millennium Bridge. The quiet mews remains one of London's most popular hidden filming locations.

Closest landmark: Notting Hill Gate

9. Pirates of the Caribbean — Old Royal Naval College

The magnificent Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is one of the UK's most frequently filmed locations.

Its grand courtyards and riverside setting appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, while the site has also featured in Thor: The Dark World, Les Misérables, The Crown and many other productions. Even without the film connection, it's one of London's finest examples of Baroque architecture.

Closest landmark: Cutty Sark

10. 28 Days Later — Westminster Bridge

One of modern cinema's most unforgettable opening scenes takes place on an eerily empty Westminster Bridge in 28 Days Later.

Normally one of London's busiest crossings, the bridge offers spectacular views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It's also appeared in films including Peter Pan and countless productions using London's skyline to dramatic effect.

Closest landmark: Westminster

How Do You Get to London's Famous Film Locations?

Watching these locations on screen is one thing. Standing where Harry caught the Hogwarts Express, Bond met Q or Bridget Jones hurried home brings the magic to life in a whole new way.

Exploring London's most famous film locations is easy with our Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour stops near many of the city's biggest filming locations. We’ll make it simple to recreate your favourite movie moments across the capital.

  • Near King's Cross (Harry Potter – Platform 9¾)

  • Near Monument (Harry Potter – Leadenhall Market)

  • Near Trafalgar Square (James Bond – National Gallery)

  • Near Paddington Station & Notting Hill Gate (Paddington)

  • Near Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes)

  • Near Notting Hill Gate (Notting Hill)

  • Near London Bridge (Bridget Jones's Diary)

  • Near Tower Bridge (Spider-Man: Far From Home)

  • Near Cutty Sark (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Explore by London Bus Tours

10 min read