Lights, camera, action! Since the dawn of cinema, London’s iconic streets and sights have provided a backdrop for many movies and TV series. Here are a few of our favourite famous filming locations and how to see them by bike, using the city’s cycleways. 🎥
🚦 Santander Cycles enable you to jump on and off your bike to explore each location by foot. Remember to dock your bike at the recommended station and wait for the green light each time!
Harry Potter (film series) 🧙♀️
Get transported into the wizarding world with these magic movie locations. You may not be able to travel around London by broom, but you can travel by Santander Cycles! 🧹
Locations to see:
King’s Cross station (C6) – Visit the iconic station that the Hogwarts Express departs from every year in the films. Check out the real Platform 9 ¾’s filming location between platforms 4 and 5 before heading to the Harry Potter shop in the main station concourse, to get a photo with the disappearing baggage trolley! 🦉
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel – Pass by this beautiful old building that Harry and Ron fly over in The Chamber of Secrets.
Claremont Square – Just a short ride away in Angel is the filming location Claremont Square, which was used as the outside of 12 Grimmauld Place in The Order of the Phoenix.
Leadenhall Market (C1) – Remember when Harry and Hagrid visited The Leaky Cauldron in The Philosopher’s Stone? Well, this was really Leadenhall Market and the street even served as the film’s inspiration for Diagon Alley! 🪄
Portobello Road Market (C44) – Perhaps one of the most famous street markets in the world! Portobello Market, held six days a week, is a great way to spend the afternoon, even if you’re not a film fan. 🕰️
The Notting Hill Bookshop – Formerly The Travel Bookshop, the original shop used in the movie was frequented by Notting Hill film director Richard Curtis and changed hands in 2011. 📖
Rosmead Gardens – Take in the views of Rosmead Gardens, the private communal gardens that Anna and William break into in the film! Make sure to observe them from the road as unfortunately, they aren’t open to the public. 🌹
Blenheim Crescent, Ladbroke Grove (for Rosmead Gardens)
Paddington(film) 🐻
Also partly filmed in the Notting Hill area is this family favourite! Explore Paddington Bear’s favourite city on a Santander Cycle.
Locations to see:
Alice’s Antiques Store (C44) -The fictitious Gruber’s Antiques in the film is actually Alice’s Antiques Store on Portobello Road. You can spot Paddington skateboarding along this famous street in the film too!
Chalcot Crescent – The Brown family home, although meant to be in a picturesque neighbourhood of Notting Hill, was in fact shot on this beautiful road in Primrose Hill.
Natural History Museum (Q) – It is here where we see our villain Millicent Clyde, played by Nicole Kidman, as the evil taxidermist who aims to capture Paddington! Wander the museum for free and see if you can spot scenes from the film.
North Gower Street (C27) – Sherlock’s famous 221B Baker Street residence was in fact filmed at 187, North Gower Street. Grab a bite to eat in the real Speedy’s Cafe which features in the show too! 🍳
Baker Street – Visit the real Baker Street to see the Sherlock Holmes Museum – a must for any Sherlock fan! Whilst you’re in the area, look out for the statue of the famous detective located outside Baker Street station too. 🔍
St Bartholomew’s Hospital (C11) – See where Sherlock and Watson first meet in the show, and the location where Sherlock takes a dramatic fall in the finale of The Reichenbach Fall!
West Smithfield Rotunda, Farringdon (for St Bart’s)
Park Road (Baker Street), The Regent’s Park
Friends (TV series) ☕️
It’s London baby! Remember when the friends swapped New York for London in The One with Ross’s Wedding? Follow in Chandler and Joey’s footsteps and explore some of the city’s most iconic sights.
Locations to see:
Grosvenor Square – Visit the Marriott Hotel the friends stayed in on their trip where Joey had to go into the map to get his bearings!
Buckingham Palace (C3) – Arguably one of London’s most iconic attractions! Cycle past the royal residence where Chandler and Joey bumped into Fergie in the show.
Westminster Abbey (C3) – Only a quick ride away sits this famous Abbey that has been the location of many royal weddings, funerals and coronations throughout history. Described as the best Abbey Joey has ever seen, it’s a must-see when visiting the Friends’ filming locations in London!
Tower Bridge (C4) – This famous bridge is only seen briefly in the show, as Chandler and Joey pass over it on an open-top sightseeing bus.
