For those in thrall to the silver screen, for those whose church is the cinema and Hollywood is holy, London can be an amazing city. Whether it’s star-spotting in central, setting the scene on Baker Street or paying homage to history at the Globe, the capital is heaven for film buffs. With so much heritage, from Hammersmith to Hounslow, we’ve honed in on only the hottest. So, here are our 6 IDEAL suggestions for film buffs in London.
London Movie Locations Tour
This three hour bus-based tour is a great way to see a host of Central London filming locations for a whole load of big screen blockbusters. It’s a hop-off, hop-on affair, allowing you a quantity over quality experience – perfect for selfies and ticking items off a bucket list. A couple of really neat features; local actors give the tour, which lends the experience real passion and knowledge; also, a DVD plays, showing you the scenes which took place in the location you’re visiting. It’s not cheap, but a lot is crammed into the three hours, so you certainly get your money’s worth.
Luna Cinema
Pop-up cinemas are all the rage in London these days, and have become an event in the social calendar even before the quality of the movie is even considered. The Luna Cinema has a huge range of pop-ups across the capital, so check in with their website for precise listings. One of the best things about Luna is the venues they command – you can watch one of your favourite films with the backdrop of an iconic London building; a really nice touch.
Edible Cinema
Something from leftfield, the Edible Cinema is an all immersive, intriguing proposition. Those with synaesthesia need not apply, but for the rest, the experience is one of both seeing and ‘tasting’ the film. It works like this; punters sit down to a movie and a meal, with the food tailored to fit various scenes in the film where one of the protagonists is eating. It gets stranger, with some items of food having more existential connections to the film; think a scene in the Arctic and a serving of ice cream, or a walk through a pine forest accompanied by a pine-needle scented snack. It’s a weird, wicked experience which we highly recommend.
The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour
From the esoteric to the all-encompassing appeal, London’s Warner Bros. Studio is currently offering a tour of The Making of Harry Potter. A behind-the-scenes walking tour offers secrets and gossip which don’t leave the walls of the studios, offering real insight into the global juggernaut film series. See props, costumes and step into settings from the film, and immerse yourself in the Harry Potter experience. An absolute must for fans of the beloved wizard himself.
Secret Cinema
Secret Cinema is a unique proposition, bringing famous film to live around you through dramatics. Though its ‘tell no one’ tagline has been somewhat tainted by the justifiable fame the project has achieved, there’s still a sense of magic and mystery to the experience. We don’t wish to reveal much more about it, for fear of ruining the illusion. We just have one word; GO.
Sherlock Locations Tour
Okay, not necessarily a film, but the popularity of the Sherlock series eschews any need for categorisation. This walking tour takes in the obvious (Baker Street) and the not so, visiting sites of both historical importance to the books and places where famous scenes were filmed.
