London is one of the most popular real-life film locations in the world, so what are your favourite places from the movies?
It’s remarkable just how many directors have decided to drop the studio and film real places in London, but maybe this the city is just more photogenic than many.
For example, if you’ve seen Notting Hill (you’re allowed to admit it), did you know the travel bookshop which Hugh Grant inhabits is a genuine travel bookshop at 13-15 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill to be precise and has existed there since 1979. Whether the internal scenes were filmed in the shop or a mockup we’re not sure, but they are pretty identical to the real thing. Other filming took place on Portobello Road in Notting Hill to keep it authentic.
Harry Potter films have used a few locations, but the most famous are King’s Cross Station Platform 9 3/4 which of course is only accessible for those attending Hogwarts, and the Charing Cross Road which served as the backdrop for the Leaky Cauldron pub.
The newly released “King’s Speech” film based on the pre-Corronation of King George VI was filmed in part within the real Westminster Abbey which is going to be even more famous later this year with the royal wedding.
Those are just a few of the many, many great films but which are the best places to visit for London cinematography?
2 Comments
wasnt the other platforms for harry potter filmed up here i didnt actualy know that living up here in newcastle
According to what I’ve read, they had to re-number the King’s Cross ones as it turned out there was a track between platforms 9 and 10 not the gap as in the films. However I suspect like a lot of filming, not all of it was done in one location.