9 Must-Visit Filming Locations in London

As any cultural guide to London will tell you, the Barbican Centre is one of London’s unmissable arts destinations, hosting exhibitions, film screenings, theatrical and dance performances, concerts, and more throughout the year. In addition, the Brutalist landmark is an essential stop for anyone interested in London film tourism.

It served as MI6 headquarters in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, and recently appeared in the award-winning Andor. And don’t forget its cameo in Harry Styles’ As It Was music video. Scope out these spots and more during a walking tour of the landmark.

With its vibrant paint job and arched ceilings, Leadenhall Market certainly has big-screen looks. The 14th-century market—one of London’s oldest—is both a highlight of City of London tours and a perfect pit-stop for film buffs.

That’s because the Harry Potter films famously cast Leadenhall Market as Diagon Alley, and you can join a walking tour with fellow Muggles for a behind-the-scenes look at the landmark. Leadenhall Market also had a star turn in the 2024 Netflix series Black Doves—in fact, Keira Knightley’s character had a memorable sparring match in one of its shops.

Few filming locations in London are more picturesque than Hampstead Heath. Not only does the North London green space contain ancient woodland, bucolic meadows, and popular bathing ponds, but its hills have some of the best views of the cityscape below. No wonder the Heath is a Hollywood favorite.

Most recently, Hampstead Heath appeared in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, in a scene where Bridget has a meet-cute while stuck up a tree. The park’s stately home, Kenwood House, has also appeared in rom-coms both historical (Sense and Sensibility) and modern (Notting Hill).

The Shard—the tallest building in Western Europe—is an iconic feature of the London skyline, thanks to its distinctive silhouette and record-breaking scale. Unsurprisingly, those qualities have made it a favorite filming location in London among directors seeking instant drama. Take Jon Watts, who shot multiple scenes of Spider-Man: Far From Home at the skyscraper.

More recently, the 2025 thriller Cleaner starred Daisy Ridley as a Shard window cleaner tasked with infiltrating a hostage situation in the building. After admiring the Shard on a Thames sightseeing cruise, grab tickets to its Viewing Gallery for a lofty perspective.

Moments from the bustle of the Strand, Somerset House feels like a portal to a different era. The riverside complex—built on the foundations of a Tudor palace—is today known for its grand, neoclassical design. Little wonder that the landmark (which features on many sightseeing tours) pops up in numerous period pieces.

Historical films, including The Duchess, Suffragette, and Sleepy Hollow, have all set scenes at the palace, not to mention the popular TV series Downton Abbey. But Somerset House has its modern side, too—look out for its cameo in X-Men: First Class.

One of the most popular movie scene locations in London is also one of the prettiest. That would be Regent’s Park—among the city’s eight Royal Parks, and a staple of any London gardens guide. While it’s worth admiring its rose bushes, ponds, and other scenic features, it’s also worth scoping out its filming locations.

Look out for the path on which Jackson Lamb strolls, during scenes for the TV show Slow Horses; see the formal gardens, which featured in The King’s Speech; and swing by the Royal College of Physicians on the park’s edge, where both Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Paddington 2 filmed.

Speaking of Paddington, one of the must-visit movie locations in London is—drumroll, please—Paddington Station. The major transit hub gave its name to Paddington Bear, whose charming children’s stories have since been turned into three popular films.

So, visit Paddington Station as part of a themed walking tour. Next, continue to other Paddington-related locations, including London’s leafy Primrose Hill neighborhood, where the Brown family’s colorful house is located.

Insider tip: While you’re in Paddington station, look out for the small statue of Paddington Bear located at Platform 1. There’s also a shop dedicated to the popular bear, selling toys and souvenirs.

It’s no surprise that Greenwich shows up on camera again and again. Thanks to the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, which comprises landmarks such as the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House, it’s bursting with photogenic history.

Recently, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon epic was filmed at the Old Royal Naval College and its Painted Hall. Greenwich is also one of the top London TV show locations: The Crown famously used the exterior of the Old Royal Naval College as a double for Buckingham Palace.

It’s not just major Hollywood studios that choose London as a backdrop. The UK’s homegrown movie industry has set several top-rated films in the British capital, many of which offer a local’s eye view of the city. Take Rye Lane, a charming 2023 rom-com that was shot in Brixton landmarks, including the Ritzy Cinema, as well as locations across nearby multicultural Peckham.

Likewise, the 2024 hit We Live in Time was filmed in the area’s leafy Brockwell Park, as well as the adjacent Herne Hill neighborhood. For a less conventional London filming sites tour, it’s worth heading south of the river to explore.