This post covers some of the most iconic James Bond locations you can visit while in London and is set up as a self-guided tour.
The world’s most famous spy – 007 – is a British classic anti-hero.
Although his exploits take him all over the world, a lot of James Bond films rely heavily on filming in London.
For the true Bond-fans among you, there are a few different tours you can take in London which cover this beloved character.
SELF-GUIDED JAMES BOND TOUR IN LONDON
This self-guided tour includes several filming locations from throughout the history of the James Bond franchise.
Click on the map to enlarge or click here for a movable map.
Be sure to check out our other free self-guided London tours.
Somerset House
Films: Tomorrow Never Dies and Goldeneye
Somerset House doubles as the War Office in TND and sees James Bond pulling up outside in his Aston Martin DB5.
In Goldeneye the giant centre courtyard nestled in the middle of Somerset House was played off as a courtyard in St. Petersburg!
Nearest Station: Charing Cross or Temple
The National Gallery
Film: Skyfall
It is here in Room 34 that James Bond first meets Q, who supplies him with a pistol.
Nearest Station: Charing Cross or Leicester Square
Whitehall
Films: Octopussy, A View of Kill, License to Kill, Skyfall
Whitehall is the real-life home to the British government and has featured in a few Bond films.
James Bond has been briefed ‘inside’ these buildings, and the major thoroughfare here was shut down for the filming of Skyfall.
In this scene, Bond not only runs down the road past the government buildings but also stands on the top near the end of the film, overlooking the Whitehall district where he meets Mrs. Moneypenny.
Be sure to read our post on 10 Downing Street.
Nearest Station: Charing Cross or Westminster
The Reform Club
Films: Die Another Day and Quantum of Solace
James Bond’s fictional club, Blades, first appeared on our screens in DAD where Pierce Brosnan fenced and had a brief conversation with Madonna!
In QoS the Reform Club stands in for the Foreign Office.
Nearest Station: Charing Cross, Green Park or Piccadilly Circus
Vauxhall Cross – The SIS Headquarters
Films: Goldeneye, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Skyfall
The real home of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, the building at Vauxhall Cross is famous the world over as the home of MI6 in the Bond films.
Although destroyed in Skyfall, visitors will still find it standing safely in one piece on the riverbanks of the Thames.
Nearest Station: Vauxhall
Here are a couple of locations that weren’t in films, but still have a place in James Bond history!
16 Victoria Square
Bond Connection: Fleming moved into this property in March of 1953 and it was here that he wrote 12 of his James Bond novels, before dying here in 1964.
Nearest Station: Victoria
Buckingham Palace
Bond Connection: In case you missed the widely-celebrated Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, Daniel Craig as James Bond traveled to Buckingham Palace (read our post).
Once inside (followed by a pair of Welsh corgis), he met with the Queen – who then traveled with him to the Olympic Park and then parachuted out of a helicopter into the Olympic Stadium!
Nearest Station: Green Park or Victoria
Duke’s Hotel
Bond Connection: Duke’s Hotel was a popular haunt of Bond creator Ian Fleming.
It was at this bar that Ian first thought of the infamous “shaken, not stirred” line.
It’s also said that both Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery celebrated their casting as James Bond with, of course, a martini.
The bar is still open, still pouring martinis, and can be visited by Bond…or civilians just like us.
Nearest Station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus
27 Green Street
Bond Connection: This fabulous townhouse was the birthplace of Ian Fleming on the 28th of May 1908.
Nearest Station: Marble Arch
JAMES BOND GUIDED WALKING TOURS
Brit Movie Tours is one of the most popular tour companies in London, and they currently offer a comprehensive outing that covers a variety of locations and subjects related to the James Bond franchise.
In addition to visiting filming locations for movies such as For Your Eyes Only, Die Another Day, Skyfall and Spectre, you’ll also learn about the actual British secret service and whether or not there’s any reality behind the stories in these films.
This walking tour will include a short bus ride, so you will need to purchase an Oyster Card or Travelcard before going on this trip.
- Ticket Prices: £15/Adults | £10/Children
- May – Aug Availability: Thursdays at 10:30 am
- Jan – Dec Availability: Saturdays at 10:30 am
- Duration: 2 ½ hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
NOTE: This tour is included with the London Pass, which you can use to save anywhere from 20% - 50% off general admission prices.
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