London houses some of the world’s most renowned tourist destinations. From Mary Poppins to James Bond, you’ve likely seen many of the city’s treasures on screen. Each year, the capital welcomes millions of visitors who spend a small fortune on all of the typical tourist attractions. The thing is, there are so many free places which are just as photogenic. If you’re searching for Instagrammable London movie scene destinations, look no further!
The city’s bridges are known for their striking architectural beauty and showcase London’s rich history. If you’re visiting London for the first time, you may be wondering how to navigate the city best. Tourists often splurge on sightseeing buses when many of the traditional red double-deckers take almost exactly the same route.
All you need is an app like Citymapper or Google Maps. It tells you exactly where the bus stops are and when to get on or off. It’s so much easier than you’d think! If you want the photos but don’t want the cost, here are eight free and iconic bridges that you must visit on your next London Trip!
1) Tower Bridge
Opened in 1894 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Tower Bridge has become one of London’s most iconic symbols. The masterpiece took eight years, five major contractors, and 432 construction workers per day to build.
Mary Poppins Returns
The famous sequel to Mary Poppins provides a picturesque view of Edwardian London, showcasing some of the capital’s most recognisable treasures. In the opening scene, Jack (played by Lin-Manuel Miranda) cycles along the Thames Path, showcasing the renowned Tower Bridge shrouded in fog. The majestic towers provide a wonderful photo opportunity, and guess what? You too could cycle along the same path!
Spider-Man: Far From Home
If you’ve seen the 2019 movie Spider-Man: Far From Home, you may remember the final battle in London, where Spider-Man confronts Mysterio on Tower Bridge. For a wide-angle view of where all of the action took place, take a stroll along the river, and you’ll be able to take photos with the entire bridge in the background!
Top tip: Tower Bridge is especially breathtaking at night. If you want to make a day trip of it, spend some time in the nearby St. Katharine Docks, then wander over to Tower Bridge when you’re ready!
Paddington 2
London scenery can be spotted in each of the Paddington movies. However, in the second film, Tower Bridge makes a special appearance in the pop-up book that Paddington hopes to buy for his aunt Lucy.
Top tip: if you’re looking to do something fancy, why not take the Uber boat? You can buy tickets at a surprisingly reasonable price and float down the river directly under Tower Bridge!
2) Blackfriars Bridge
The original Blackfriars Bridge opened in 1769 and has become a beloved landmark offering views across the city. With St Paul’s Cathedral in the background, the structure features in many artworks, including William Marlow’s view of St Paul’s from the South Bank, completed in the 1770s.
Mission Impossible: Fallout
In Mission Impossible: Fallout, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) can be seen running across the top of Blackfriars Bridge in a key chase scene. If you’re looking for an iconic movie destination near many famous London landmarks, Blackfriars is the place for you!
Top tip: right outside Blackfriars station is a uniquely skinny, triangular pub with a rich history. After you’ve seen the bridge, why not visit The Blackfriar pub or walk along the South Bank?
3) The Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge in Little Venice
The Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge in Little Venice is a uniquely quaint location in the heart of London. The destination is known for its tranquil charm, narrow boats and houseboats, mirroring the romantic Italian city it’s named after.
Paddington 2
The picturesque, blue Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge can be seen in Paddington Two in scenes that depict Little Venice and the canal. If you’re looking for a quaint photo location, Little Venice offers just that.
The canal has many beautiful bridges and floating shops, making it a charming place to stroll! What’s more, Little Venice is a short walk from Paddington station, where you can find many unique Paddington statues!
4) Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge was the first new pedestrian crossing over the Thames for more than a century. After opening to the public in 2000, it became known as the “wobbly bridge”, as it swayed from side to side when carrying a large number of people. Don’t worry, though. It has since been fixed and now offers a unique crossing, connecting St Paul’s with places like the Tate Modern!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Millennium Footbridge is an incredible architectural work. Its striking steel lines can be spotted on screen in Harry Potter before it’s completely destroyed and plunged into the Thames.
If you’re looking for a place with a view, the Millennium Suspension Bridge is a wonderful option! As a pedestrian, you can walk across the lengthy grey sculpture while taking in views of the nearby skyscrapers!
5) Hammersmith Bridge
Hammersmith Bridge is a Grade II-listed structure, opened by the Prince of Wales in 1887. Designed by the 19th-century civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, it was the first suspension bridge built over the Thames.
James Bond: No Time to Die
Hammersmith Bridge is a remarkable architectural work, well known for its recognisable gold and green colour scheme. If you’re a James Bond fan, you may remember seeing the structure towards the end of the film “No Time to Die”. It offers a wonderful photo opportunity at any time during the day, but is particularly mesmerizing at night when the lights reflect on the river.
6) Southwark Bridge
Originally built between 1814-1819 by John Rennie the Elder, Southwark Bridge was purchased by the City of London in 1868. The structure boasts an elegantly unique colour scheme and provides views across the city.
Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix
Southwark Bridge, often known as “Iron Bridge” from the Dickens’ novels, has a charming turquoise colour scheme and soft rounded arches. If you’re a Harry Potter enthusiast, you may have seen it in The Order of the Phoenix.
Situated in the heart of Central London, Southwark Bridge can easily be incorporated into your sightseeing plans. If you’re looking for some inspiration, Sky Garden is only a short stroll away!
7) Adams Plaza Bridge
The futuristic Adams Plaza Bridge connects the Crossrail Place complex with One Canada Square, Canary Wharf. The structure has cool pools of water at the base, providing a magnificent photo location at ground level.
Star Wars: Andor
To any of you Star Wars fans out there, did you know that some Andor scenes were filmed in Canary Wharf? Well, the futuristic Adam Plaza Bridge was used as a filming location, specifically representing the Imperial Security Bureau’s headquarters.
Once an industrial dockland, Canary Wharf is now London’s financial hub. It’s filled with countless modern high-rise buildings, making it a sleek modern photo location. If you’re looking for an adventure, the Adams Plaza Bridge is very near the Canary Wharf Docklands Light Railway station! You could take London’s automated driverless DLR train there!
8) Camden Lock Bridge
In April 1965, the former metropolitan boroughs of Hampstead, Holborn, and St Pancras were replaced by the London Borough of Camden. The area was named after Charles Pratt, who started the development of Camden Town in 1791 and retains its title to this day.
James Bond: Spectre
If you’re looking for a vibrant and edgy photo location, Camden really might be the place to go. For anyone who’s seen the James Bond movie “Spectre”, you might remember the rustic bridge and old red brick architecture around Camden Lock.
Top tip: Camden is a wonderful place to spend the day. From a huge food and vintage market to an indoor amusement park, there are so many things to do near Camden Lock!
It’s like stepping into the big screen!
Well, there you have it. Eight iconic London locations that you can visit free of charge! Whether you’re a born and bred Londoner or visiting for the first time, there’s something surreal about stepping into a place shown on the big screen. It almost feels like you’re walking into a movie set!
Each bridge is an architectural phenomenon and has a uniquely rich history. Whether you’re a film enthusiast or just looking for a budget-friendly day out, bridges really are the way to go!
