This is a post about Christmas film locations in London.
Every year when the holiday season comes around my friends and I talk about going on a Christmas film location tour of London. This year I thought, why not share said locations with other Christmas movies fans coming to town?!
London might as well be its own Christmas film genre. Think twinkling streets, cosy pubs and that unmistakable European charm that makes every corner feel cinematic. This guide brings together the most iconic Christmas movie filming locations in London and nearby Surrey so you can walk through real-life scenes from Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Last Christmas and The Holiday. Whether you’re visiting London in winter or you live here and want to recreate your favourite scenes, this list gives you a full guide to where to go and what to look for.
Christmas Film Locations in London and Beyond
Love Actually Filming Locations in London
It is impossible to talk about Christmas films without mentioning Love Actually. The movie jumps between storylines which means it spans a huge number of London neighbourhoods. Luckily, many of them are easy to visit and still look exactly the same.
Notting Hill
The opening montage of people hugging at Heathrow might be the most famous scene but Notting Hill is one of the prettiest locations used in the film. Remember Mark’s cards coming on to his best friend’s wife? That’s in St Luke’s Mews in Notting Hill. (Not a Christmas movie but equally iconic, you can obviously tag a Notting Hill movie tour on to your Christmas one!)
Selfridges, Oxford Street
The scene where Rowan Atkinson’s character takes approximately five years to wrap a gift was filmed at Selfridges. During December the store goes full Christmas mode with huge window displays and decorations which makes it an iconic festive stop anyway. I can’t talk about that Selfridges scene without adding… #justiceforEmmaThompson
Somerset House
Although better known for skating scenes in other films, Somerset House appears briefly in Love Actually during the opening montage and feels like somewhere the characters would logically meet. The courtyard transforms into one of London’s prettiest ice rinks every winter making it the perfect place to create your own romantic moment.
I should add, if you’re heading that way, the Somerset House brach of the WatchHouse coffee shop is a great place to stop for a treat and a hot beverage! I love sitting by the window watching people come and go surrounded by the beautiful buildings.
Southbank
Several walking shots appear along the river and around Gabriel’s Wharf and the Oxo Tower. The South Bank is always lively at Christmas with lights, markets and riverside bars which makes it feel like a real-life film set. It’s one of my favourite iconic spots in London!
Read more: Complete Self-Guided Walk from Westminster to London Bridge
The Prime Minister’s House
The exterior of the Prime Minister’s home is not actually on Downing Street. It is on a quiet street in St James’s Park, near Horse Guards Parade. If you walk around the area you will recognise the backdrop immediately.
Grosvenor Chappell, Mayfair
Where a lot of the storylines began…the cute Grosvenor Chappell round the corner from Mount St Gardens served as the wedding church for Peter and Juliet.
Bridget Jones’s Diary Filming Locations
Bridget Jones is not technically a Christmas film but it might as well be since half the plot revolves around Christmas jumpers, snow and awkward family gatherings. The best part is that many of the filming locations are in central London and easy to visit on foot.
Borough Market
Bridget’s flat is above The Globe Tavern which sits right in the heart of Borough Market. The market looks particularly festive in winter with wreaths, garlands and stalls selling mulled wine. Take a photo outside the flat then wander the market to try Bread Ahead doughnuts or the famous grilled cheese sandwich from Kappacasein.
The Royal Courts of Justice
Remember when Bridget misses out on trying to interview Mark’s client because she pops to the shop for cigarettes? The stone steps are at the front of the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. The building is Gothic and dramatic which makes it a great winter photo spot.
Millennium Bridge
ICONIC! Bridget is seen crossing the Millennium Bridge while we hear her innermost thoughts on her life, body and Daniel.
Royal Exchange, Threadneedle Street
The snowy, HEA kiss between Bridget and Mark takes place outside the Royal Exchange. The likelihood of snow is slim but you can definitely walk around there and recreate your own kiss scene. Probably best to put some clothes on though!
The Institute of Contemporary Arts
The ICA is a cultural hotspot and just a few steps from The Mall which becomes beautifully lit for Christmas. In the movie, it’s where Bridget introduces Mr Titspervert Mr Fitzherbert at his book launch.
Last Christmas Filming Locations
Last Christmas is practically a love letter to London at Christmas. Emilia Clarke’s character lives and works in Covent Garden and Soho and almost every location used in the film looks even more festive in real life. What I always find amusing as a London resident is how she and Henry Golding walk/bike about 5min between places that take at least 2 tubes and a bus and maybe 40min to get to.
Covent Garden
The Christmas shop where Kate works was built on a set but the film uses Covent Garden heavily. The giant Christmas tree, the huge sparkling baubles and the lights across the piazza make this one of the most festive places in London.
I took myself on a little Christmas in London tour the other day and took a few pics at some of these locations. Swipe to see them:
Cecil Court
A magical little lane filled with bookshops and antique stores, Cecil Court not only appears in the film (Kate gets changed there!) but it’s also been a bit of a hit on socials lately. People have been sharing it a lot promoting it as the book lovers’ lane but it’s actually more antique shops and the legendary occult bookshop, Watkins Books. Its Victorian shopfronts look like something out of a storybook which suits the film’s tone perfectly.
Phoenix Garden
This small community garden in the West End is where Kate and Tom share quieter moments. It is peaceful even in central London and feels like a secret hideaway.
The Southbank
The scenes along the river near the Southbank Centre, Gabriel’s Wharf and the Oxo Tower also appear in the film. The Christmas market stalls and fairy lights make this area feel like a real-life film set.
Alexandra Palace
That’s where they go ice skating! This is the one that makes me chuckle – in the movie it takes them about 5min to get from Covent Garden to Ally Pally when, in reality, it takes about an hour by public transport and 2:30hr!! walking. (I’m not complaining, it’s a movie! I just find it funny).
The Holiday Filming Locations in Surrey
The Holiday is not filmed in London but Surrey is close enough for an easy day trip. The famous cottage unfortunately is not real but the village scenes were shot in several locations you can visit.
Shere
This chocolate-box village is the star of the film. Visit the church, the village square and the White Horse pub where Cammie Diaz and Jude Law meet after she decides to stay. They have signs at the pub so you’ll know you’re in the right place! Shere is especially pretty in winter with twinkling lights and old stone houses that make the whole place feel like a Christmas card.
Godalming
Some of the village streets were filmed in Godalming including scenes near Church Street. The town centre is charming and often decorated beautifully during December. It’s also where Cameron Diaz drives like a maniac and stops by the supermarket. That was actually a candle store they turned into a mini market! The candle shop is no longer there… the town is super cute though!
Holmbury St Mary
The cute English cottage where Iris lives was a set built for the movie, not a real cottage. It was apparently inspired by another Surrey location: Honeysuckle Cottage in Holmbury St Mary!
Bonus: London Spots That Feel Like a Christmas Film Even If They Were Not In One
Leadenhall Market
With its Victorian architecture and warm lights, Leadenhall Market feels like a ready-made Christmas film location. It also appears in Harry Potter and various romantic films.
The Churchill Arms
This Kensington pub is famous for covering its entire exterior in flowers during summer and Christmas lights during winter. It is one of the most photographed pubs in the city. During Spring it’s covered in flower pots!
Annabel’s Christmas Decorations
The facade of Annabel’s in Mayfair becomes one of the most talked-about Christmas displays in London. It changes each year but it is always extravagant and worth the detour.
St Christopher’s Place
Hidden just behind Oxford Street, this little square is one of London’s prettiest festive areas, strung with lights and lined with cafés.
I’ve actually been posting a bunch of “Christmas in London” photos and videos on my IG and Tiktok if you want to check out and give me a follow there for more London content.
Final Thoughts
London is full of Christmas film magic whether you stick to Love Actually locations, visit Bridget Jones’s London, wander through Covent Garden from Last Christmas or make a cosy day trip to The Holiday’s village scenery in Surrey. With twinkling lights, historic streets and cinematic backdrops around every corner, the city can feel like one big Christmas set come to life.
This is a post about Christmas film locations in London.
