Guide to film locations in London

One of London's most iconic landmarks, Tower Bridge boasts quite the filmography. Harry Potter flew past it in the Order of the Phoenix, Hugh Grant's villainous character searched it for clues in Paddington 2, and Brendan Fraser ran from mummies across it in The Mummy Returns. More recently, Spidey swung around on it in the climactic final battle of Spider-Man: Far From Home, the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's celebrated Phase 3.

When one of television's most appalling families travels to London in season 2 of HBO's monumental series Succession, Shiv Roy takes a meeting in one of the capital's restaurants, Though not namechecked, eagle-eyed viewers quickly determined the location – chef Skye Gyngell's sustainability-minded flagship Spring at Somerset House. Knowing what we do about the Roys, however, it's unlikely Shiv ordered the innovative “Scratch” menu, made from waste and surplus ingredients.

On the subject of Somerset House, this imposing Georgian building has provided the backdrop for a number of hit movies, including no fewer than two James Bond films, popular historical drama Downton Abbey, perennial Christmas favourite Love Actually, and the first of the Sherlock Holmes films helmed by Robert Downey Jr. In its spare time, the prominent arts hub is home to a diverse community of professionals and organizations engaged in the fields of arts and social innovation.

Situated close to the renowned foodie paradise, Borough Market, The Globe Tavern is a quintessential British pub that serves as a perfect spot for a refreshing pint before or after your meal. This charming tavern, nestled under the arches of London Bridge, spans two floors and features classic furnishings that exude warmth and cosiness. The first floor flats also served as the home of the titular character in the smash 2001 romcom Bridget Jones's Diary.

With its heart-warming story of an American coach crossing the pond to manage a football team in London, there's no shortage of familiar locations in Apple TV's hit series Ted Lasso. Of course, the fictional AFC Richmond doesn't have an actual stadium of its own, so the production found it a home at Selhurst Park. They also turned to established London clubs for help, placing pivotal matches at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge and West Ham United's London Stadium.

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is a fascinating architectural and historical wonder, providing a glimpse into Britain's naval past. Initially constructed as a seamen's hospital in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the complex comprises multiple impressive buildings, including a grand colonnade. It's no wonder it features in numerous productions – for example, it was used to recreate the exterior of Buckingham Palace for Netflix's The Crown, and it was unceremoniously impaled by a spaceship in Thor: The Dark World.

George Lucas's “galaxy far, far away” might be closer than previously thought, at least going by some of the later entries to the Star Wars canon. Thanks to its futuristic appearance, Canary Wharf Underground Station served as the setting for scenes not just in the blockbuster Rogue One film, but also a more recent tie-in, the critically acclaimed streaming series Andor. Just be careful waving your lightsaber around during peak travel times.

Another immediately recognisable London landmark, the Palace of Westminster has served as a handy shortcut for establishing location in numerous productions. It's appeared in more James Bond films than any of the actual James Bond actors, but you'll find it in all sorts of movies, from biographical films such as Sid and Nancy or Darkest Hour, to Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later and Trainspotting. Interestingly, the honour of being the first film in history to be shot in and around the Houses of Parliament belongs to Suffragette (2015).

There's no shortage of concert films featuring Wembley Stadium, probably due to the simple fact that if you're successful enough to perform there, you'll want a permanent record of that career highlight. That said, like many music stars, the iconic London stadium has branched out into the film business as well, appearing in everything from popcorn blockbusters such as Fast & Furious 6 to Oscar winners such as Bohemian Rhapsody.

Thanks in large part to Hugh Grant's charm, British romantic comedies became a global juggernaut in the 1990s, and Notting Hill was the biggest of them all. The already famous neighbourhood it was named after and set in received a further boost in popularity as a result, with tender-hearted fans from around the world flocking to Portobello Road to see the various film locations around the area and pose in front of the famous blue door at 280 Westbourne Park Road.

Speaking of Portobello Road, one of its antique shops played a key role in the film adaptation of the beloved children's books about Paddington Bear. In the original 2014 film, the red-fronted shop is owned by Samuel Gruber, who helps Paddington unlock the secrets of his past (it's all much less ominous than it sounds, we promise). Just like in the film, the store is chock-full of curios and memorabilia from all corners of the world.

No list of iconic filming locations in London is complete without Trafalgar Square, another instantly recognisable landmark. The James Bond franchise has stopped here on many occasions, of course, but so have the likes of Wonder Woman, Children of Men, Captain America: The First Avenger, and even Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, one of the most successful Bollywood productions of all time.

When an actual restaurant is used as a filming location, it usually serves just as a nameless backdrop. In Marvel's “Secret Invasion”, however, the exquisite Berners Tavern gets not just a shout-out, but  also extended screentime and wide shots showing off its beautiful interior while Samuel L. Jackson and Don Cheadle debate what to do about a global invasion of alien shapeshifters. Judging by the nonchalant bartender polishing glasses in the background, it's all business as usual at the Tavern.

Dark clouds gather. Thunder crashes. A lightning rod falls from the roof, impaling a terrified priest in a church graveyard. The memorable scene, found in the classic horror film The Omen (1976), was filmed in Fulham, at All Saints Church on the edge of Bishops Park. Unlike the ominous film setting, the area is ideal for a pleasant riverside walk – though it might be worth keeping an eye on the weather just in case.

World-famous children's character Paddington Bear was named after London Paddington Railway Station, so it comes as no surprise the building is featured in the universally beloved films based on the books. You'll even find a statue of Paddington Bear inside the station, as well as the Paddington Bear Shop with all sorts of merchandise featuring the marmalade-loving rascal.

Dating back to 1321, the ornate Leadenhall Market has provided a stunning backdrop for many films. The most famous one, however, is undoubtedly the first Harry Potter film, which placed the wizards' shopping street Diagon Alley at this architectural and historical landmark. PS – if you're a devoted Potterhead and want to embark on a pilgrimage of Harry-Potter-related sites and sights in London, hey presto, we have just the guide for you.

During his wild clue-chasing romp around London in The Da Vinci Code, Tom Hanks pays a visit to this small church in The City. Almost 900 years old, it used to be the English headquarters of the Knights Templar, but these days, it's better known for its excellent acoustics. In fact, they're so good that famed composer Hans Zimmer recorded parts of the score for another hit film, Interstellar, here. You can experience the magic yourself during one of the weekly organ recitals.

It's when Colin Firth locks the door to this Kennington pub that Kingsman: The Secret Service turns from a decent James Bond knock-off to something far greater. Moments later, pints, punches, and people are flying around the bar, and a franchise is born. Off-screen, The Black Prince is a much friendlier place, so feel free to stop by here for a pint and some pub grub. We still wouldn't go bothering any distinguished gentlemen with umbrellas, though.

Despite being a globally recognised landmark and home to the most famous monarchs in the world, the actual Buckingham Palace appears in far fewer films than you might think. It's notoriously hard to get permission for filming on the premises due to obvious security reasons, so most productions use panoramic establishing shots between switching to alternate locations or studio lots for more detail – even The Crown had to film elsewhere. That said, Steven Spielberg was allowed to shoot some scenes for The BFG in front of the actual palace, so he knocked that off his bucket list.

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's cult zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead, the first part of their anthological Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, was filmed in part in Crouch End, including this nondescript convenience store. It's actually where Pegg's character, Shaun, buys the Cornetto that later became a common reference throughout the series. The house where Shaun lives with his best mate Ed, played by Nick Frost, is just around the corner as well.

The Rivoli Ballroom is one of the few enduring 1950s-style ballrooms in London. Established in 1913, its interior and exterior largely preserve their original grandiose charm. The lively venue is host to all sorts of events, including discos, live music, and salsa lessons, and is also popular among filmmaker. Notably, it has been the backdrop for TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing and iconic films including Legend and The Avengers.