Dive into your favourite Christmas film locations in London thanks to this list of the most iconic movie sets shot in the heart of the city.
Love Actually
Love Actually was filmed in many areas across London. One of the most iconic locations is where we see Keira Knightley’s character open the door to be greeted by a secret declaration of love from his best friend. You can visit this location on one of the prettiest cobbled mews in London, just around the corner from Portobello Road. In another scene we see Liam Neeson’s character having a heart-to-heart with his stepson right on the Queen’s Walk, a path on Gabriel’s Wharf in South Bank. If you’ve ever wondered where exactly Natalie meant when she said she lived ‘in the dodgy end of Wandsworth’? Those rows of houses are located along Poplar Road in Brixton!
The BFG
Okay, so obviously filming is not allowed inside Buckingham Palace itself, but films are often deceptive by nature! In Spielberg’s 2016 family-friendly adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic, The BFG, the giant stumbles into the palace. To get around the restrictions, Spielberg used static shots of the front and back of the royal residence, and filmed the internal scenes at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire!
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is synonymous with Christmas in London and the story has been adapted numerous times over the years. The BBC’s 2019 retelling of the Christmas classic used Rainham Hall in Havering, east London, as the setting for Scrooge’s less-than-homely homestead in the adaptation. This Christmas you can take part in wreath-making (30 Nov), shop for unique gifts at the local art and craft fair (7-8 Dec) or explore the outdoor activity trail (13-15 & 18-22 Dec). Other set locations you can visit include the streets of Hampstead and Camden Town where the iconic Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s loyal employee, once lived.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Bridget Jones is one of the most iconic romcom trilogies based in London and you can visit all the iconic locations this winter, first-hand. Take a stroll down Bedale Street in Borough to see her apartment above The Globe pub, walk across the Tower Bridge to re-enact Bridget strutting her stuff on the way to the office, or even take a walk to Shad Thames Wharf Bridges where Bridget and Mark Darcy shared their first kiss. The next and final instalment of the series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, is due to come out on Valentine’s Day 2025. Rumoured filming locations are Hampstead Heath and Haverstock Hill, so keep an eye out when the movie is released!
Last Christmas
The 2019 Christmas movie, Last Christmas features a love story, iconic landmarks and a George Michael soundtrack – what more could you ask for? It takes place throughout the capital in iconic locations such as St Sofia’s Greek Cathedral in Bayswater, Covent Garden and Electric Avenue in Brixton. Fall in love with your very own little elf this winter by strolling around the film’s shooting locations yourself. Take a walk down the narrowest passage in London, which is actually Brydges Place, WC2. The green area where Kate and Tom meet is Phoenix Garden, Covent Garden.
About a Boy
Ever wanted to know where Will’s (played by Hugh Grant) super sterile, hi-tech, island apartment was? St James Walk in Clerkenwell is the spot directors Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz filmed in About a Boy in 2002. Indulge yourself at Comptoir Gascon down Charterhouse Street and eat at Club Gascon or Cellar Gascon at 57 West Smithfield. Interestingly, next door is where Grant famously didn’t get married in the classic, Four Weddings And A Funeral.
Harry Potter
No visit to London would be complete without diving into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Start your magical journey at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London -The Making of Harry Potter. Hogwarts in the Snow is the most magical time of year at the studios as iconic sets are dressed for the festive season (to 19 Jan). Back in central London, don’t miss the recently refurbished Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9% in King’s Cross Station, where you can stock up on wands, scarves and more. Other recognisable scenes include the Millennium Bridge and Leadenhall Market.
Wave to Harry’s statue in Leicester Square as you make your way to the Palace Theatre for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It plays in two parts and will fill your holiday with magic. Finally, the reptile house at ZSL London Zoo is where Harry first discovered his ability to talk to snakes. Built in 1926, the historic building closed to the public in 2023 but a few metres away you can find the new Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians habitat zone.
Wicked
The highly anticipated Wicked movie – starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum and Jonathan Bailey, amongst others – has smashed records since its release. If you can’t get enough of the Land of Oz, immerse yourself in the musical world of Glinda and Elphaba at the Wicked production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The dazzling effects and world-class performances have drawn in West End audiences for 18 years.
Beyond London, the Wicked film has also been shot in Bedfordshire, Sussex and Norfolk. The set for the rainbow-coloured Munchkinland was built in the small Buckinghamshire village of Ivinghoe (nearest station: Tring). The crew also filmed on the south coast at Seven Sisters Country Park, where a pink ornate sailing boat was shot for the hotly anticipated movie (nearest station: Seaford).
Paddington
Few films capture the heart of London quite like the Paddington film trilogy. The lovable Peruvian bear has made his mark on the city in both the films and in real life. Begin your Paddington pilgrimage at Paddington Station, where you can find his statue, and visit the charming Paddington Bear Experience, a perfect family day out during the festive season. Marking the release of Paddington in Peru (in cinemas now) special statues of the lovable bear have appeared in 23 cities, towns and beauty spots all over the UK and Ireland. One of the meticulously crafted statues can be found in Marble Arch at 28 Connaught Street. Take a seat alongside and snap a selfie.
If there’s one thing the holiday season brings, it’s a sense of magic – and London’s film locations are steeped in enchantment. From upcoming film releases to timeless classics, these spots will have you spellbound.
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