Are you a hopeless romantic who loves movies where love takes center stage?  We’ve chosen three blockbuster productions that, despite their differences, share a romantic connection that transcends time and borders.

We pack our bags and head to London to explore the iconic settings of ‘Bridget Jones’ and ‘Notting Hill’. With this guide, you’ll discover the cinematic locations where love always prevails—whether in contemporary London.

Let’s embark on our movie-inspired adventure!

‘BRIDGET JONES’ MOVES TO NOTTING HILL

‘Bridget Jones’ is once again the talk of the town for all fans of this charismatic character portrayed by Helen Fielding. As expected, February 14, 2025, is the chosen date for the worldwide premiere of the fourth installment of this famous romantic comedy. In ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy‘, our beloved protagonist moves to the neighborhood of Notting Hill, sharing the area with Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) and William Thacker (Hugh Grant), the stars of the popular film ‘Notting Hill‘ (1999).

Now you have a great excuse to include a cinematic visit to this iconic neighborhood in your next trip to London. Famous for its colorful Victorian terraced houses, bohemian bookstores, markets, and one of the world’s most popular carnivals. Before you get lost in the corners of Notting Hill, we invite you to discover the filming locations of the ‘Bridget Jones‘ saga in the Thames city by following the steps of this tour.

‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ introduces one of the most beloved heroines in romantic cinema. A single woman looking to find love while dealing with the struggles of everyday life. Directed by Michael Morris and based on the novels by Helen Fielding, the character was born in a column by the author in The Independent newspaper. In the fourth installment, London once again plays a starring role in this famous diary. Its markets, bridges, streets, and museums come alive as part of Bridget’s world.

With Bridget as our guide, we’ll explore over twelve real-life locations from the first three movies in the saga during a two-and-a-half-hour tour. Highlights include her home above a London pub, Daniel Cleaver’s bachelor apartment, the church where his memorial service takes place, and the law offices where Darcy works. Additionally, you’ll get to explore some of London’s most iconic tourist attractions, including Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Throughout the tour, you’ll hear fun anecdotes from the films and interesting facts about the neighborhoods visited.

We begin this cinematic adventure at 8 Bedale Street, atop the famous pub The Globe Tavern. Right next to London Bridge station, we are greeted by the protagonist’s messy bachelor apartment. Although the residence has been modernized and evolved alongside the character, self-help books, chocolate bars, and untidy thongs still remain part of the décor.

Bridget Brings Borough Market Into the Spotlight

Not far from the apartment, today stands what has become one of the coolest neighborhoods in this great city. We like to think that Bridget’s presence marked a turning point for its popularity. More than two decades after the first movie was filmed, Borough Market has become a thriving and modern area where locals and tourists mingle to soak up the unique atmosphere of one of London’s oldest markets.

Can you imagine strolling through this famous marketplace whose history dates back over 1,000 years? Food stalls and restaurants offering culinary delights from various cultures alternate with charming cafés, all set against a vibrant atmosphere enhanced by a myriad of cultural and artistic activities.

Borough Market is the heart of the neighborhood and the location of one of the funniest scenes in the third installment. If you want to follow in Bridget Jones’s footsteps, don’t miss the chance to have your cinematic experience in this fascinating market.

The Kiss Corner

We can’t end this tour without visiting one of the most unforgettable filming locations, where the final scene of ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary‘ was shot. How could we forget an exuberant Bridget sliding in leopard-print underwear through the snowy streets to kiss Mark Darcy? If you’re wondering where this iconic corner is, it’s a fifteen-minute walk from our protagonist’s house. Crossing London Bridge, the exact spot is the Royal Exchange building from the Bank of England, at the corner of Cornhill.

Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos, see the sights up close, or, if you’re lucky, bump into Mr. Darcy! The ‘Bridget Jones‘ tour ends near Tower Bridge, one of the symbols of the British Isles. Opened in 1894, it’s famous for its Victorian architecture and its two towers rising 65 meters above the Thames. From its pedestrian walkway, you can enjoy unforgettable views of the British metropolis—can you think of a better way to end your cinematic tour of this film city?

This super romantic tour is sure to leave you wanting more. Consider yourself to be lucky, for in ‘Mad About the Boy‘, Bridget moves to Notting Hill, where we’ll find the locations for our next cinematic adventure: the homonymous famous romantic comedy, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Who knows? It’s quite possible that during this tour, you might spot Renée Zellweger filming somewhere in the neighborhood!

JUMP TO ‘NOTTING HILL’

We jump from one romantic comedy to another, where Hugh Grant also takes the lead role. We stay in what has become one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the west of the British capital to explore the filming locations of this classic love story, directed in 1999 by Roger Michell.

Hereby, we invite you to visit the sites where Hollywood actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) and William Thacker, the owner of a travel bookstore (Hugh Grant), let their passion unfold. Unlike ‘Bridget Jones‘, the barrier that separates the protagonists in this story is the difference in social status and the complications of living in the public eye. The final scene, where William declares his love at a press conference in front of a crowd, has become one of the most iconic moments in romantic cinema.

Once again, the magic of cinema has given worldwide recognition to what was once a popular neighborhood in the west of London. If you’re a fan of this unforgettable movie, you can’t miss this two-hour guided tour. You’ll dive into this colorful neighborhood of Victorian houses to explore iconic streets like Portobello Road and its famous street market.

Of course, you’ll have the chance to share on your social media the legendary blue door where our protagonist lived and visit the famous ‘Travel Bookshop’, the inspiration for the bookstore in ‘Notting Hill‘, and a perfect place to feel the enchantment of this blockbuster. By the way, did you know that this neighborhood has been home to celebrities like George Orwell, Elle MacPherson, and Claudia Schiffer, among many others?

Portobello Road: The Heart of This Film Neighborhood

We begin this cinematic experience on Portobello Road, the beating heart of the neighborhood, full of life, anecdotes, and the location of the opening scene. William walks from his bookstore through this popular street while we hear him say, “Notting Hill, my favorite part of London”.

After the guided tour, we recommend continuing your movie adventure by exploring the diverse stalls of the Portobello Market. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find all kinds of food, clothing, music… it’s open every day from Tuesday to Saturday. By the way, did you know that on Fridays and Saturdays, it turns into one of the most important antique markets in the world?

Will’s Bookstore

Another pilgrimage site for fans of this romantic comedy is Will’s travel bookstore, where the main characters first meet and fall in love. However, it’s important to clarify that there are two different places. On the one hand, number 13 Blenheim Crescent was originally a travel bookstore and served as the inspiration for the bookstore in the film.

Today, it sells books of all kinds and continues to carry its legacy of romance. If you’re thinking of planning a proposal, this is the perfect place: these are a regular occurrence between its shelves!!!

On the other hand, the exterior of the bookstore seen in the movie is located at 142 Portobello Road. During filming, it was an antiques shop, and today it is a souvenir shop cleverly named Notting Hill Giftshop. At the entrance, you’ll spot a nod to the movie with a large sign that reads “The Travel Bookshop.”

The Blue Door: The Most Instagrammable Corner

At 280 Westbourne Park, you’ll find one of the most photographed spots in London and, of course, the most iconic in Notting Hill. Although there are always lines of people waiting to capture the coveted shot, you can’t miss the chance to admire one of the most representative locations from the film: the exterior of Will’s house and his eccentric friend Spike.

You’ll probably remember perfectly that one of the funniest scenes took place here: when the protagonists are caught by paparazzi, and Spike has the ‘brilliant’ idea of stepping out in his underwear, submitting to the scrutiny of thousands of flashes while striking funny poses like a bodybuilding champion.

Rosmead Gardens: Love Affair in a Private Garden

We continue the tour and head towards another of the most romantic spots from the movie: the private Rosmead Gardens. After leaving Will’s sister’s birthday party, the couple walks through the neighborhood streets until they reach the edge of a private garden. Anna doesn’t hesitate to jump inside and convinces a reluctant Will to join her. The final scene of the movie shows both of them, with Anna pregnant, sitting on a bench in this garden. Unfortunately, unlike this cinematic couple, the gardens are private, and access to the interior is not allowed. You’ll have to let your imagination run wild and settle for visiting the outer area.

Another surprise on the tour is the Electric Cinema, the oldest cinema in Notting Hill. A historical gem that continues to attract film lovers from around the world and is a must-visit if you want to soak up the magic of the silver screen!

As an added bonus to your interest in this romantic tour, the expert guides will also show you some filming locations from other famous productions like ‘Love Actually’ or ‘Paddington’. 

If you’re also a music lover, this cinematic experience in Notting Hill will take you to some of the recording studios where legendary artists like Bob Marley, Next, and Led Zeppelin recorded some of their hits.

This film journey through Notting Hill will not only let you walk through the filming locations of these acclaimed movies, but you’ll also discover one of the most cosmopolitan and alternative neighborhoods in the English capital. It’s the trendy spot to be seen, shop at its vibrant market, or enjoy ‘tea time’ in one of its cozy cafés. If you visit London in February, don’t forget that Notting Hill hosts the second-largest carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro. Another great reason to click on this complete cinematic tour.

We hope you enjoy a unique movie-themed trip! If you want to find more information about the filming locations of your favorite series and plan a movie-worthy journey, we look forward to seeing you at screenbie.com!