Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through London, following the footsteps of the iconic James Bond! This city, with its rich history and captivating sights, has served as a backdrop for countless Bond adventures, each scene leaving an indelible mark on the franchise. Join us as we explore some of the most iconic Bond locations in London, bringing to life the magic of 007.
From Vauxhall to Westminster: Tracing Bond’s Path Through South London
Our adventure begins in Vauxhall, a bustling neighborhood south of the River Thames. Here, you’ll find Vauxhall Cross, a striking building that has doubled as MI6 Headquarters in several Bond films, including the thrilling GoldenEye. This imposing structure, overlooking Vauxhall Bridge, has seen its fair share of action, from the tense attack in The World Is Not Enough to the dramatic confrontations in Skyfall and Spectre.
As you cross Vauxhall Bridge, head north to 16 Victoria Square, the former residence of Ian Fleming, the mastermind behind the James Bond universe. This elegant Victorian home, nestled between Buckingham Palace and Victoria Station, was Fleming’s London base from 1953 onwards.
Next, venture to 22B Ebury Street, a short walk away in the stylish Belgravia district. This building, once the home of the Pimlico Literary Institution, played a key role in Fleming’s younger years. It was here that he resided from 1936 to 1941.
A Stroll Through Hyde Park and Central London: From GoldenEye to No Time to Die
Cross Hyde Park, a sprawling green oasis in the heart of London, and arrive at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Moscow Road. This beautiful cathedral, with its intricate Byzantine mosaics, served as the St. Petersburg church in GoldenEye, where Natalya meets Boris Grishenko.
Continue east through Marylebone to St. Pancras Station, a magnificent Victorian structure that doubled as St. Petersburg Station in GoldenEye. Remember the scene where Natalya arrives by train and tries to evade the authorities? It was filmed here!
Now, dive into the heart of London, where we find DUKES bar, a favorite spot of Ian Fleming, on St. James’s Place in Mayfair. This sophisticated bar, often linked to 007’s signature martini, exudes a timeless charm.
Just a short walk away, we reach the grand Buckingham Palace, a symbol of British royalty. Its surroundings appear in Die Another Day as Gustav Graves parachutes in to receive his knighthood from the Queen. And in No Time To Die, we see Madeleine Swann crossing the Mall and St James’s Park on her way to work.
From Royale to Blades: Exploring Bond’s Connections in Mayfair and Pall Mall
Our journey continues to Boodle’s Club, a prestigious gentlemen’s club on St James’s Street, said to have inspired Ian Fleming’s Blades Club, prominently featured in his 1955 novel Moonraker.
Speaking of Blades, Die Another Day pays homage to this fictional club by setting a fencing duel between Bond and Gustav Graves at The Reform Club, a private members club in nearby Pall Mall. It was here that the iconic Madonna made her cameo appearance. The Reform Club also doubled as the Foreign Office in Quantum of Solace, where M meets the Foreign Secretary.
Just around the corner, you’ll find the elegant Carlton House Terrace, with its white stucco façade, which served as the exterior of Madeleine Swann’s office in No Time To Die.
From The Langham to Spectre: Tracing Bond’s Adventures in Central London
Head north to The Langham, an opulent hotel on Portland Place, which served as Bond’s luxurious Russian hotel in St. Petersburg in GoldenEye.
Continue along Oxford Street to The Freemasons’ Hall on Great Queen Street, where the Spectre Foreign Office scene, featuring C being appointed as the Head of Nine Eyes, was filmed.
Walk through Covent Garden to Rules, one of London’s oldest restaurants, where M, Q, and Moneypenny meet in Spectre.
And nearby, we arrive at The National Gallery, a landmark that features in Skyfall, hosting the first meeting between Bond and his new Q. They meet in Room 34, where a melancholic Bond gazes at The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner, a poignant reminder of Bond’s potential future after the closure of the double-O programme.
Uncovering MI6’s Secrets: From Malaysia House to Somerset House
Just off Trafalgar Square on Cockspur Street, you’ll find Malaysia House, which doubled as Universal Exports, the front for MI6, in The Living Daylights.
And just around the corner is 35 Spring Gardens, which served as the exterior of the safe house where M, Q, and Moneypenny meet in Spectre.
Head down The Strand and discover the real-life London Underground, which played a starring role in Skyfall when villain Silva escapes MI6. While much of the action was filmed at Pinewood Studios, filmmakers captured vital scenes on a disused Jubilee Line platform at Charing Cross Station, although on screen the chase sequence unfolds between Temple and Embankment stations.
Further along The Strand, we find Somerset House, a stunning building that served as St. Petersburg in GoldenEye. The production even imported 40 Russian cars for the scene where Bond and CIA operative Jack Wade break down in their rusty blue car. Somerset House also features in Tomorrow Never Dies, where Bond pulls up for a meeting with M in his iconic Aston Martin DB5.
From Whitehall to Westminster: Unveiling Bond’s London Headquarters
From Somerset House, head to the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Whitehall, which appears in Skyfall. Remember the scene where Moneypenny gives Bond the ceramic bulldog that M bequeathed to him in her will? It was filmed on the rooftop of this building!
The Ministry of Defence Main Building, also in Whitehall, has been the setting for MI6 offices in several Bond films, including For Your Eyes Only and No Time To Die.
And close by is the Old War Office Building, which doubled as MI6 in Octopussy.
The final scene of Spectre, where Bond and Madeleine drive off into the sunset in his DB5, was also filmed in Whitehall, near the Department for Business and Trade.
The moment in Die Another Day when Bond enters Vauxhall Cross underground station before meeting M, was filmed on the south side of Westminster Bridge. Walk to Big Ben and cross Westminster Bridge, which served as the backdrop to Spectre’s climactic scene where Blofeld’s helicopter crashes, giving Bond a chance to kill his nemesis, but he chooses to let him live.
Southwark and The City: Following Bond’s Trail Across the Thames
Leaving Westminster Bridge, take a long walk east towards Southwark. City Hall in Southwark, formerly home to the Greater London Assembly and the Mayor of London, appears in Spectre as the home of the Centre for National Security.
Enjoy the views from London Bridge as you cross the river to The City. The Drapers’ Hall on Throgmorton Avenue served as the Russian Council Chamber, St. Petersburg in GoldenEye. Next stop is Blackfriars Pier on White Lion Hill, where your tour by water begins.
A Thames River Cruise: Experiencing Bond’s Waterborne Adventures
Embark on a boat trip along the River Thames, taking in familiar sights from both east and west. The river plays a crucial role in The World Is Not Enough, where Bond pursues the Cigar Girl assassin in the Q Jet Boat. The chase goes past the Houses of Parliament, through Tower Bridge to Docklands and the O2 Arena (or the Millennium Dome as it was known at the time) where Bond skids down the domed roof. Bond’s mid-air barrel roll in the Q Jet Boat was filmed at nearby Millwall Docks.
To Greenwich and Beyond: Unveiling Bond’s Final London Stops
Disembark at Greenwich Pier and explore the Old Royal Naval College through the Cutty Sark Gardens. This historic landmark was used in Skyfall, featuring the scene where M attends the funerals of the MI6 agents killed in the terrorist attack.
This journey through London, tracing the footsteps of James Bond, is a must for any fan of the iconic franchise. From the bustling streets of Vauxhall to the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, each location holds a unique connection to the world of 007, offering a captivating glimpse into the filming locations that brought Bond’s adventures to life. So, pack your adventurous spirit, grab your favorite Bond movie, and get ready to explore the city that inspired one of the most beloved characters in cinema history!
