Because London is such a densely packed city filled with hidden history, heritage and beauty that can often only be seen with the help of an expert guide to take you on a private tour.
Alongside similarly vibrant cities such as New York, Paris and Tokyo, the best way to plan a tour is inspired by an artistic theme, and given how many films are set in London, there is an almost endless scope to visit sights of inspiration in one of the greatest cities in the world.
Notting Hill
There are few films that have not only captured but also changed an area quite like 1999’s Notting Hill, which took a local neighbourhood Richard Curtis knew well and made it a famous living landmark.
The travel bookshop in question, owned by Hugh Grant’s William Thacker, is a natural highlight, but much of Portobello Road is worth looking at alongside the more famous landmarks highlighted in the film, such as the Savoy Hotel.
Whilst London is featured heavily in most of Richard Curtis’ films, including Four Weddings And A Funeral and especially Love Actually, Notting Hill is the film where London seemed to play the largest role and features some places you may not find on a traditional tour.
Match Point
Possibly the most fascinating outsider’s perspective of London, Woody Allen’s Match Point was originally set in the Hamptons of New York, but was rewritten once the director found funding across the Atlantic.
A psychological thriller featuring a former tennis professional marrying into a wealthy family before falling in love with his brother-in-law’s fiancée, Match Point’s most striking location is The Queen’s Club, a private tennis club in Kensington.
Because of its unusual origins, less familiar locations such as the Marylebone Campus of the University of Westminster and Lambeth Bridge star alongside more famous landmarks such as The Gherkin, Cambridge Circus and the Royal Opera House.
Shaun Of The Dead
One of the most eminently quotable films of all time, Shaun of the Dead, beyond its zombies, romance and pool cue fights set to Queen, is a film set in and largely about London.
However, if there is a standout location in London, it would be The Winchester, where Shaun and the gang take Pete’s car, go to Shaun’s mum’s house, take care of Phil, grab Liz, go to the Winchester Tavern, have a nice cold pint and wait for all of this to blow over.
The Winchester itself was actually The Duke of Albany, a New Cross pub that has unfortunately been converted to flats but still has a similar, relatively recognisable exterior.
Passport To Pimlico
In the 1949 film Passport to Pimlico, a bomb detonates in the eponymous London district and reveals that the area is technically still part of Burgundy, the area seceded in order to avoid the rationing restrictions following the Second World War.
Pimlico still exists, although it is almost unrecognisable following three quarters of a century of regeneration and renewal. However, some parts, such as the Lambeth Road railway arches, still remain.
Hellraiser
A film with such sights to show you, 1987’s Hellraiser is surprisingly a film set in and filmed in London despite an infamous dub, and has such a cult following that fans take a trip to the house it was filmed and set in to this day.
Based in north-west London at 187 Dollis Hill Lane, Hellraiser feels remarkably grounded for such a gory, supernatural horror film, and part of that is the result of its London setting.
Rather infamously, several British actors were dubbed over with American voices, which adds to the surprise that a film in a genre primarily associated with the United States has its origins in London.
Bridget Jones’ Diary
There is something about London that makes it perfect for romantic comedies, and several of Hugh Grant’s most successful films, including this, his works with Richard Curtis above and About a Boy, all take place in London.
However, Bridget Jones’ Diary, based on the phenomenally successful novel of the same name, is one of the most popular and evocative of everything that makes the city so great.
People can and have made mini-tours of the main locations alone, but Shad Thames, St Pancras, Tower Bridge and the Royal Courts of Justice form some of its greatest highlights, although JFK Airport surrogate Stansted Airport acts as a fascinating curiosity for particularly big fans of the film.
The great Syon House is also a beautiful location that is worth dedicating some time to visiting.
