3 minute read
Set-Jetting in London
England’s capital city is a showstopper, but it’s also linked with an insatiable fascination for two on-screen genres – period dramas and spy thrillers. With its rich architectural history and links to royalty, it’s the perfect city to base royal-inspired favourites, The Crown, The King’s Speech and Bridgerton. It has also hosted the likes of Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and Jason Bourne, so prepare to be gripped...
Enjoy a very royal introduction
Buckingham Palace is a must-visit in the capital, but if you want to experience a piece of the much-celebrated series, The Crown, head to Lancaster House on The Mall. The mansion reprised its role as Buckingham Palace in the series. Then transport yourself to the perfectly refined Bridgerton series by visiting one of London’s grandest heritage hotels, The Lanesborough. Try the newly launched (Bridgertonthemed) Queen Charlotte Afternoon Tea in the sumptuous dining room. The menu is an ode to the key families in the series and is crafted in collaboration with Netflix. Each patisserie creation is a true work of art.
Discover your inner spy – in style
James Bond 007 will always be linked to London and some of the most memorable scenes feature the breathtaking city skyline. The World is Not Enough, starring Pierce Brosnan, opens with the longest pre-credit sequence in James Bond history – it lasts 14 minutes and includes a high-speed pursuit down the Thames. And who hasn’t dreamed of driving a classic Aston Martin through the alleyways of London as Daniel Craig did in Spectre?
London is also tied to the Kingsman legacy – starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth and Sir Michael Caine. Discover Kingsman’s HQ on the West End’s famous Saville Row, hidden behind a refined tailors shopfront. Renamed as Kingsman for the film, Huntsman is a real Savile Row tailor and you can add a Dream Escape private shopping experience to your trip, where London’s finest tailors will help you choose your own impeccably cut suit.
Step into all the classic British romcoms
The Big Smoke is the official home of so many timeless romantic films – from Richard Curtis’ Love Actually and Notting Hill, to the brilliant Bridget Jones’s Diary films. For your romcom fix, visit Somerset House and imagine yourself at that Christmas party in Love Actually, or pick up something special in Selfridges on Oxford Street and pray that Rowan Atkinson won’t take hours to giftwrap your purchase.
Or head to Notting Hill and remember Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts’ rollercoaster romance –immortalised amid the bustling markets and pastel-coloured houses. Take a private food tour or treat yourself to a vintage shopping experience to fully immerse yourself in one of London’s most eclectic areas.
Don’t leave before experiencing Borough Food Market. Bridget Jones’s apartment was located above The Globe Tavern pub, and a bespoke walking culinary tour is the only way to sample the many flavours, sights and sounds of this foodie hotspot.
WORDS | AMY BONIFAS
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