10 Film Locations in London to Visit With Kids

You’ll find amazing film locations across London that’ll captivate your kids without breaking the bank. Start at Platform 9¾ in King’s Cross Station where they can pretend to board the Hogwarts Express, then explore Leadenhall Market’s Victorian arches that became Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Visit Notting Hill’s famous blue door, catch street performers in Covent Garden, and walk Westminster Bridge where action movies filmed. These cinematic adventures turn ordinary sightseeing into magical movie moments your family will treasure forever.

Notting Hill’s Famous Blue Door and Portobello Market

Where can you find one of the most photographed doors in all of London? Head to 280 Westbourne Park Road in Notting Hill, where Hugh Grant’s character lived in the beloved romantic comedy. This famous blue door attracts crowds of travelers snapping selfies, though remember it’s a private home—photograph from across the street at The Castle pub instead.

While you’re there, explore the vibrant Portobello Road Market featured prominently in the film. Kids will love browsing the eclectic mix of antiques, street food, and fashion stalls that capture Notting Hill’s bohemian spirit. Visit on weekdays for smaller crowds, or brave Saturday’s bustling atmosphere.

Don’t miss the nearby Travel Bookshop location at 142 Portobello Road, where the characters first met—now a gift shop celebrating the movie. For a special treat, consider booking tickets at the historic Electric Cinema, one of London’s oldest movie theaters with luxurious velvet seats where scenes from the film were actually shot.

Leadenhall Market: Step Into Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley

Step through the magnificent Victorian arches of Leadenhall Market, and you’ll instantly recognize the covered pathways that brought Harry Potter’s magical Diagon Alley to life on screen.

Your kids will love spotting the blue door at 42 Bull’s Head Passage—the famous Leaky Cauldron entrance from the first film. This door was originally painted black during filming but now contrasts beautifully with the market’s red and green architecture.

Located in London’s financial district, you’ll find the market easily accessible via Monument or Liverpool Street Underground stations.

Visit on weekends when it’s quieter, perfect for family exploration. The market was built in 1881 and stands as London’s most beautiful Victorian covered market.

The atmospheric Victorian setting feels genuinely magical, making it an ideal spot for young Potter fans to step into their favorite wizard’s world.

King’s Cross Station Platform 9¾ Magic

Since every Harry Potter film featured King’s Cross Station as the magical departure point for Hogwarts, your kids will be thrilled to experience the famous Platform 9¾ for themselves.

You’ll find the iconic half-embedded trolley photo opportunity in the main concourse, where queues form under the footbridge. While an official photographer’s available, you can take your own pictures too.

The installation moved from its original spot near Platforms 8 and 9 after the station’s refurbishment.

Your children can pretend they’re running through the magical barrier just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione did in the films.

Don’t miss the adjacent Harry Potter Shop for merchandise. The location holds special meaning since King’s Cross Station is significant to J.K. Rowling due to her parents’ meeting on a train.

Arrive early to beat the crowds, and combine your visit with exploring the historic station‘s impressive architecture.

South Bank’s Movie Magic Along the Thames

From the magical platforms of King’s Cross, head south to the Thames where London’s South Bank transforms into a real-world movie set your family can explore together.

You’ll discover Gabriel’s Wharf, where Daniel and Sam shared their heart-to-heart chat in Love Actually. Kids love spotting the exact benches while enjoying panoramic City views.

Walk the cobbled riverside paths between National Theatre and Mondrian Hotel – these walkways appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

At Borough Market, hunt for Bridget Jones’s flat above The Globe Tavern and find the Leaky Cauldron door on Stoney Street. The market’s food stalls make it a popular destination for both filming crews and families looking to grab delicious snacks between location spotting.

Don’t miss Westminster Bridge, where 28 Days Later and Spectre filmed their dramatic scenes against Big Ben’s iconic backdrop.

Primrose Hill and the Paddington Bear House

Kids love spotting the exact house where their favorite bear lives, and you’re steps away from Primrose Hill park’s playground and hilltop views.

The area’s filled with family-friendly cafes and independent shops.

Though the interior scenes were filmed on sets, walking this quiet crescent lets your children step directly into Paddington’s world. The beloved character first appeared in A Bear Called Paddington back in 1958, making this location feel even more special for longtime fans.

Borough Market: Bridget Jones Territory

The bustling Borough Market transforms into Bridget Jones’s neighborhood, where you’ll find her famous flat above The Globe Tavern at 8 Bedale Street. Kids will love spotting the recognizable pub exterior from the films while exploring London’s oldest fruit and vegetable market.

You can walk the exact streets where Bridget recorded her diary entries and grab roast meat baguettes from Hobbs sandwich shop on Bedale Street.

The market’s covered food halls offer endless sampling opportunities for hungry families, while the Victorian arches create a distinctive backdrop you’ll recognize from the movies. The area also serves as a somber, reflective spot where Bridget walks after a revelation in the films, adding emotional depth to this historic location.

Located near London Bridge station, it’s perfectly positioned for combining with other central London film locations. Your children will enjoy the treasure hunt of finding specific filming spots throughout this atmospheric, edible piece of cinema history.

Westminster Bridge: Big Ben Movie Moments

After exploring Borough Market’s cozy film corners, Westminster Bridge offers your family one of London’s most spectacular movie backdrops. You’ll recognize the 315-foot Elizabeth Tower from countless movies, including multiple James Bond films where Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan filmed thrilling action sequences.

Your kids might spot the location from Disney’s Peter Pan, where the character stops on Big Ben’s hour hand heading to Neverland. The bridge also features in 28 Days Later‘s haunting post-apocalyptic scenes.

You can easily walk the pedestrian-friendly bridge with children, enjoying close-up views of Big Ben, the Thames, and London Eye. Night visits showcase the brightly lit landmark perfectly. Look for the stone steps on the southern end of Westminster Bridge where Bond actors have filmed dramatic running scenes.

The area remains open daily for family photos, despite being closed during past film shoots.

Covent Garden’s Cinematic Street Performances

While exploring Westminster’s iconic landmarks offers grand movie backdrops, Covent Garden transforms your family visit into a live performance spectacular that’s appeared in countless London films. You’ll discover the same bohemian performance culture that’s captivated filmmakers since the 1660s, when street entertainment began here.

Your kids will be mesmerized by magicians, jugglers, and living statues like the famous “Silverman.” The West Piazza hosts circus-style acts with 10-foot unicycles and acrobatics, while classical musicians perform showtunes in the South Wells. All performers must audition, creating a safer, family-appropriate environment.

Visit Monday-Friday 10:00-20:00 or weekends for the busiest shows. With 40+ registered performers giving 120,000 annual shows, you’re guaranteed entertainment that doubles as a cinematic London experience. Top performers can earn over £50 per hour through tips from delighted audiences, demonstrating the quality of entertainment your family will witness.

Tower Bridge: Action Movie Central

When your kids spot Tower Bridge’s iconic twin towers rising from the Thames, they’re seeing London’s ultimate action movie backdrop in real life. This Grade I listed bridge has starred in countless films, from Bond’s boat chase in The World Is Not Enough to the London destruction scenes in London Has Fallen.

Your family can walk the Glass Floor walkways for dramatic overhead views that mirror movie camera angles, or time your visit to watch the bascules lift for river traffic—it’s like witnessing a real-life stunt.

The bridge attracts 850,000 visitors annually, so book timed tickets during busy seasons. With approximately 40,000 crossings daily, you’ll be joining both locals and travelers who use this vital London route.

Turn your visit into a scavenger hunt by spotting the towers, walkways, and opening mechanisms you’ve seen on screen.

Hampstead Heath: Family Film Adventures

As your family explores Hampstead Heath’s rolling hills and ancient woodlands, you’re wandering through one of London’s most beloved filming locations where intimate family dramas come to life.

Your kids can recreate the climbing scene from “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” at the large oak tree below Parliament Hill, where the film family gets adorably stuck.

Head to Parliament Hill for windy kite flying sessions while spotting the exact bench where romantic encounters unfold on screen. The same hill provides the perfect backdrop for balloon releases, creating magical family moments just like those captured in the film.

The picturesque Hampstead village offers hot chocolate stops on Flask Walk, just like in the films.

You’ll find Bridget’s house at 8 Vale of Health and explore cafés like Ginger & White for family brunch adventures in this cinematic neighborhood.

The Sum Up

You’ve got an amazing adventure waiting across London’s most magical film spots! Your kids’ll love hunting for Harry Potter’s platform, posing by Paddington’s door, and recreating their favorite movie scenes. Pack comfortable shoes, bring your camera, and don’t forget snacks for the journey. Each location offers something special for different ages, so you’ll create unforgettable memories while exploring the city through your children’s favorite films. London’s calling – time to make some movie magic!