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London is home to some of the most iconic filming locations, many of which you can visit for free or by joining a walking tour. Our guide includes the top filming spots for cult classics like Harry Potter and James Bond to newer releases like Bridgerton.
Whether you want to visit real TV and movie sets, take a studio tour or plan an action-packed day walking in the steps of your favourite characters, we have you covered. Plus, it’s easy to get to these locations when travelling on our network!
Paddington filming locations and tours
While the latest Paddington movie may be set in Peru, the first two are firmly set in London, and some of the capital’s most popular landmarks and stations appear in the film. You can easily spend a whole day exploring, whether joining a walking tour or planning your Paddington-themed adventure.
Paddington Station
Photo Credit: Network Rail
At the start of the first film, the Brown family encounters the stowaway bear at Paddington station and subsequently names him after their meeting place. You can see lots of Paddington memorabilia around the station today and the interior features in the film. However, Marylebone station was used for the exterior shots.
Address: Paddington, Praed Street, London W2 1HU
How to get there: Take the Bakerloo line from London Waterloo to Paddington.
Natural History Museum
Photo credit: Photos.London
In the first Paddington film, he is captured by the evil taxidermist Millicent Clyde, who takes him to her office at the Natural History Museum with the intention of stuffing him as a rare specimen. Despite this dark scene, the museum is well worth a visit, and one of the best in London!
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
How to get there: Hop on the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to Westminster, then switch to the District or Circle line to South Kensington. From there, the museum is a 5-minute walk.
Paddington walking tours
Looking for family-friendly activities in London? Book the Paddington Walking Tour with Brit Movie Tours – a 2.5-hour excursion taking you to the top filming locations.
Harry Potter film locations and tours
Although the Harry Potter series was filmed in several locations across the UK, many of London’s top attractions are featured in the movies. Visit them yourself or take a guided walking tour to learn more about each place and its significance to the Harry Potter story.
King’s Cross
Visit the iconic Platform 9¾ sign at King’s Cross, located in the station’s concourse. This platform features in several Harry Potter films and is only accessible to those in the wizarding world. Harry and the other Hogwarts students must run through the wall to catch the Hogwarts Express, but don’t be tempted to try this yourself!
Address: King's Cross, Euston Road, London N1 9AL
How to get there: Hop on the northern line from London Waterloo to King’s Cross.
London Zoo
London Zoo appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when Harry plays a prank on his cousin Dudley in the reptile house. He also discovers his unique ability to talk to snakes – a skill that proves useful in subsequent films. There’s plenty to see at London Zoo, so check out our guide to plan your visit.
Address: London Zoo, Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY
How to get there: Take the northern line from London Waterloo to Camden Town, then walk 23 minutes to the zoo.
Leadenhall Market
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Leadenhall Market appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron pub. Walk in Harry and Hagrid’s footsteps by visiting this covered market and see the famous façade, which is an optician’s, not a pub.
Address: Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
How to get there: Hop on the Waterloo & City line from London Waterloo to Bank, then walk 10 minutes to the market.
Harry Potter walking tours
If you’d like to see the top Harry Potter filming locations in London with a guide, GetYourGuide has a range of walking tours, including all-day excursions and shorter tours that kids will enjoy.
Bridgerton filming locations and tours
Shot in several locations across the UK, Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton is a Regency romance that has viewers hooked. It features some of London’s grandest stately homes and palaces, so you can plan a fun day out seeing the show’s filming locations.
Hampton Court Palace
This Grade I-listed palace in Richmond-upon-Thames was once the home of King Henry VIII and his wives. In recent years, it’s become widely known as the on-screen residence of Queen Charlotte in the Bridgerton series. Head to Hampton Court Palace to enjoy its beautiful architecture, impressive galleries and stunning gardens.
Address: Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo, Vauxhall or Clapham Junction to Hampton Court, then walk 15 minutes to the palace.
Chiswick House and Gardens
Featured in the show’s third series as a church, Chiswick House and Gardens is another of London’s must-visit stately homes. From the gardens’ wisteria-clad conservatory to the 18th-century mansion, a visit here is sure to make you feel like you’re in an episode of Bridgerton!
Address: Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London W4 2RP
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo, Vauxhall or Clapham Junction to Chiswick, and walk 14 minutes to Chiswick House and Gardens.
Ranger’s House, Greenwich
Used as a filming set for the Bridgerton family home in the series, Ranger’s House is well worth a visit. Here, you’ll find the Wernher Collection – a private art collection with over 700 works, including Renaissance paintings and Dutch Old Masters.
Address: Ranger's House - The Wernher Collection, Chesterfield Walk, London SE10 8QX
How to get there: At London Waterloo, take the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf, then walk to Heron Quays and hop on the DLR to Cutty Sark. Ranger’s House is a 20-minute walk from there.
Bridgerton walking tours
Prefer to join an organised walking tour? Brit Movie Tours’ Bridgerton London Tour takes just 2 hours, exploring various filming locations around Greenwich with a local guide.
James Bond filming locations and tours
Whether you’re hoping to meet a real spy working at MI6, try your hand at some 007-style building scaling or experience an exhilarating boat ride along the Thames, these are the top James Bond filming locations and tours in London.
The O2
Photo credit: J R Harris via Unsplash
In the 1999 James Bond film, The World is Not Enough, 007 falls from a hot air balloon onto The O2’s iconic domed roof while chasing a villain. If you want to (safely!) enjoy the thrill of scaling this building and taking in the panoramic views, Up at The O2 is a unique experience. SWR customers can enjoy 10% off tickets to Up at The O2 when booking on our website.
Address: Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
How to get there: Hop on the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to North Greenwich, then walk 5 minutes to The O2.
SIS Building, Vauxhall
The SIS Building houses MI6’s headquarters in several James Bond films and is the actual location of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service. We recommend heading across the river to Pimlico to view the imposing postmodern building – there’s not much to see up close.
Address: 85 Albert Embankment, London SE11 5AW
How to get there: Walk 4 minutes from Vauxhall to the SIS Building.
James Bond tours and experiences
Whether you’d prefer a James Bond walking tour or In the Hidden City’s interactive treasure hunt game that sends you on a 007 mission around London, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the movies.
Alternatively, book a high-speed boat trip with Thames Rockets for an exhilarating James Bond-style experience in London. Although the trip isn’t Bond-themed, you’ll see many of the main filming locations from the water. SWR Customers can get 10% off Thames Rockets tickets when booking on our website.
The best film studios and sets near London
If you’re hoping to visit some of the most iconic sets and film studios London has to offer, these locations are just a short train ride away.
Harry Potter tours at Warner Bros. Studios, Watford
Photo credit: All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI. Publishing Rights © JKR.
Located a short train ride from central London is Warner Bros. Studios – where many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed. Visit authentic sets like the Great Hall at Hogwarts and Diagon Alley and see an array of props and costumes. SWR Customers can get 10% off tickets to Warner Bros. Studios with return travel from Kings Cross included.
Downton Abbey tours at Highclere Castle, Newbury
Fans of the acclaimed period drama Downton Abbey can visit Highclere Castle in Newbury to see where the series was filmed. It’s easy to get there from central London – take the train from London Waterloo to Andover, then hop in a taxi for 25 minutes.
Travel to London’s best film locations with SWR
Ready to visit London’s best film locations? Book your train tickets in advance to secure the best prices, and explore a range of ticket types to suit your needs.
Our GroupSave tickets are perfect for outings with family and friends, and our Sunday Out and Semi-Flex return tickets give you extra flexibility if plans change on the day. For additional savings, check your eligibility for Railcards and discounts.
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