5 Locations In London Made Famous By The Big Screen

Shaun of the Dead – Nelson Road

It seemed like a cheery place to live before the zombie apocalypse didn’t it? Just your average road, complete with a local newsagent and ignorant neighbours… But, change happens, and certainly hoards of zombies are an unwelcome change for Simon Pegg and Nick Frost – shame they couldn’t give us a more thorough tour of the area isn’t it?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – King’s Cross Station and Leadenhall Market

Now,  how many of us have wanted to visit King’s Cross Station to see if platform 9 ¾ really does exist? Whether you run into the wall yourself or simply sit back and watch others do it is irrelevant, it’s a must-see for any Potter fan.

However, it’s not just King’s Cross Station that featured in the Harry Potter films. Leadenhall Market, a relative unknown in comparison to King’s Cross Station, features more than one might expect. The curved entrance to the Leaky Cauldron is set at 42 Bull’s Head Passage, which is actually an opticians. This wizarding pub is not only hidden to the eyes of muggles, but leads to the mysterious Diagon Alley and fascinating shops like Eeylops Owl Emporium and Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Platform 9 3/4 by Laura Bittner / License: Creative Commons

A Hard Day’s Night – Various London Locations

The 1964 Beatles film, starring all four members of the Beatles, was filmed across a vast number of different landscapes (around 30), including 15 in London. They include various train stations; Marlyebone station, Crowcombe Heathfield Station, Paddington Station and Taunton Station. Other noticeable locations that featured in the film are Charlotte Street, Les AmbassadeursClub in Mayfair, and the Hammersmith Odeon. So if you’re a Beatles fanatic, get yourself down to London and start touring!

The Italian Job (1969) – Various London Locations

Although the plot of the film revolves around events in Turin, London was actually used for a lot of the film.  Alembic House, 93 Albert Embankment, in Vauxhall is one location used, where Charlie Croker (Michael Caine to you and I) introduces the team members to each other. Other locations used include Harley Street in Marlyebone, Portobello Road on Notting Hill and Du Cane Road, where the Wormwood Scrubs Prison can be found. Neat huh?

Casino Royale – Big Ben, Canary Wharf, Houses of Parliament

It goes without saying that all three of these locations had previous fame before the 2006 Bond film starring Daniel Craig. However, what you might not have known, is that M’s house, (James Bond’s boss to those of you who aren’t familiar with the Bond films) is actually located in Canary Wharf.

Canary Wharf is a fantastic place to go and visit, and there are some cracking hotels near Canary Wharf that are well worth the price!

So there you have it; a whole host of London destinations that you may, or may not, have seen on the big screen. Regardless of whether you’re a film fanatic or not, I recommend that you get yourself down to London for a historic and culturally pleasing bit of sightseeing!

Jack McCourt is a 17 year old, writer, with previous experience of published poetry in anthologies. A keen and eager traveller, he is looking forward to experiencing a vast selection of different cultures and lifestyles, both in England and abroad. He Recommends BHRC for last minute London accommodation and attractions.

Tags: A Hard Day’s Night, big ben, canary wharf, casino royale, Harry Potter, houses of parliament, Philosopher’s Stone, Shaun of the Dead, The Italian Job

Category: Cities, Cities