The stunning spots that make you fall in love with London.

London is a ready-made romantic film set. With its charming side streets, swoon-worthy buildings, and widescreen views, it’s easy to see why directors return for sequels. From the famous blue door in Notting Hill to the Christmas-lit streets of Love Actually, you can follow in the footsteps of British stars like Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley. We hopped on a tour with smallcarBIGCITY, which offers guided dives in a Mini Cooper around the most romantic film locations in London – and here are the places that will make your heart skip a beat in the city.

About Time

The 2013 film About Time is a heartfelt romantic comedy with a time-travel twist. The story follows Tim Lake, played by Domhnall Gleeson, who discovers on his 21st birthday that the men in his family have the ability to travel back in time. Tim uses this unusual gift to try to improve his life, particularly his love life. He falls for Mary, played by Rachel McAdams, and their relationship unfolds across the scenic backdrops of Cornwall and London.

London plays a starring role. Love is certainly in the air – Tim bumps into an old crush at the National Theatre and shares a quirky meet-cute with Mary on Carnaby Street. The pair meet at a “dining in the dark” experience, inspired by Dans Le Noir in King’s Cross. Maida Vale Underground Station serves as the backdrop for a sweet montage of their relationship milestones.

Bridget Jones’s

The Bridget Jones film franchise includes Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016), and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025). Renée Zellweger brought the character to life from the page to the screen.

We’re first introduced to Bridget at her flat, located at 8 Bedale Street above The Globe Tavern, belting out All By Myself. Don’t ask how a single woman working in media can afford to live in Borough Market — just appreciate that you can take a snap of the spot or grab a drink at the pub below. The Thai restaurant Khao Bird currently occupies the location and is set to move to Soho in November.

In The Edge of Reason, Bridget fantasises about a life with Mark in Primrose Hill. In Mad About the Boy, she meets Roxton on Hampstead Heath, and the pair enjoy a romantic date at the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Four Weddings and a Funeral marked the screen debut of Hugh Grant’s floppy-haired, stammering yet charming English gentleman, Charles. With four weddings in the title, it’s no surprise the film is full of romantic locations.

The London wedding takes place at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich and at St Bartholomew-the-Great in Smithfield – both rich with historic character. And of course, it’s almost mandatory for London-based rom-coms to feature a rain-soaked kiss. Charles’s flat, located at 22 Highbury Terrace, is the backdrop for this romantic moment with Carrie.

Last Christmas

Released in 2019, Last Christmas is a festive romantic comedy that offers a magical tour of London and its most charming spots. The film follows Kate, played by Emilia Clarke, who works at a year-round Christmas shop in Covent Garden, and the romance she pursues with Tom, played by Henry Golding. The Christmas shop was a set built inside Covent Garden Market, but the surrounding area features heavily throughout the film’s twinkling scenes.

Phoenix Garden, a serene community garden tucked away in the West End, is the backdrop for tender moments between Kate and Tom. Tom’s flat is found in East London, right on the corner of Brick Lane – famous for its street art and Bangladeshi restaurants.

Love Actually

Released in 2003, Love Actually is an ensemble rom-com that explores love in all its forms during the festive season – from young love to heartbreak. The film opens with a wedding between Peter, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Juliet, played by Keira Knightley. The scene was filmed at Grosvenor Chapel in Mayfair. During the ceremony, a saxophonist bursts into a rendition of The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, naturally.

The most iconic moment in the film is the cue card confession scene. Andrew Lincoln plays Mark, who silently reveals his feelings for Juliet with handwritten cards. The final one ends: “My wasted heart will love you”. This moment takes place on a cobbled street in Notting Hill.

In Gabriel’s Wharf, Liam Neeson sheds his action-hero image to play a caring dad. He shares a heartfelt moment with his son Sam, who confides in him about his school crush. No romantic genre is complete without a let-me-confess-my-undying-love-in-the-airport chase, from Jerry Maguire to Friends. Here, it takes place at Heathrow Airport – Terminal Three, to be precise.

Notting Hill

Few filmmakers have captured the heart of London quite like Richard Curtis. Notting Hill is arguably his most beloved work, turning quiet corners of west London into cinematic landmarks. The story follows Anna Scott, played by Julia Roberts, a Hollywood star who falls for humble bookshop owner William Thacker, played by Hugh Grant. The pair meet at The Travel Book Co., located at 142 Portobello Road. The real-life inspiration for the shop is The Notting Hill Bookshop at 13 Blenheim Crescent.

It’s not every day you see tourists queueing to photograph a front door. At 280 Westbourne Park Road, the site of William’s now-famous blue door, that’s precisely what happens. The couple’s romance blossoms in Rosmead Garden, a private communal garden, and during a stay at The Ritz London. We are, after all, just a visitor standing in front of London.

GO: Visit www.visitbritain.com for more information.