By Anne McCarthy
There are lots of London-y characters from great works of fiction: Harry Potter, Oliver Twist, Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes, and––the one and only Bridget Jones.
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding was published in 1996 and became a veritable bestseller, selling over 2 million copies in ten years. It went on to become a film in 2001, and book and film sequels followed. Bridget is a single woman living in London, and there are many very British moments in the books and films. Fun fact: Bridget Jones’s Diary is a modernization of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. If you love Jane Austen, check out our post on Day Trips from London: Experience Jane Austen’s Bath.)
And if you’re a fan of Bridget Jones, you’ll be pleased to know that on your next trip to London you can visit some of the filming locations from the movie! While you’re in London, come visit us at Fat Tire Tours London for a bike tour! We would love to show you around this fabulous city of Londontown. Our London bike tours take you on incredible adventures around the city, and our museum tours and beer tours are wonderful ways to immerse yourself in the melting pot that is London culture.
If, for you, London culture includes all things Bridget Jones, here’s where to go to immerse yourself in this beloved British heroine’s world. The movie was filmed in London in 2000, and over six weeks, the London crew shot around London to create Bridget’s world for the film.
Some of the London locations included Tower Bridge, St. Pancras station, the Royal Courts of Justice, and Stansted Airport (which was supposed to be JFK Airport). And when Bridget and Daniel go on their romantic mini-break holiday, those scenes were filmed in Buckinghamshire at Stoke Park.
Borough Market
Initially, the character Bridget Jones was said to have lived in Holland Park in West London. But for the film version, she’s based near Borough Market (which she can be seen walking through one evening while in her bunny suit).
Borough Market is one of the biggest and oldest food markets in all of London, and it’s a great place to try new cuisines, do your food shopping, or simply wander around, and people-watch. There are so many amazing restaurants and food shops at Borough Market.
If you’re a foodie––this place is for you. You’ll also find some refreshing beers and tasty cocktails at Borough Market. (Do you like to sample new beers? Be sure to book our Private West End Beer Tasting Pub Tour.)
Borough Market Address: London SE1 9AL, UK
Bridget’s Flat in Southwark
Around the corner from Borough Market, you’ll find 8 Bedale Street, which is Bridget Jones’s address in the film. It’s located above the Globe Tavern. Not only is it the site of Bridget’s flat, but it’s also where Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) get into an all-out brawl at the end.
The location is a 1-minute walk from the market, and it’s worth a visit. (If you fancy seeing where her boss, Daniel Cleaver, lived, you’ll find his loft at Clink Wharf Apartments on Clink Street. It’s conveniently a 3-minute walk from Bridget’s home.)
Bridget’s Flat’s Address: 8 Bedale Street
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is one of the most recognizable areas in London, thanks to it being featured in countless films and television shows. It’s the centralized meeting point of several major arteries in London, including Shaftesbury Avenue, Regent Street, Piccadilly, and Coventry Street.
In the center of Piccadilly Circus, you’ll find a winged statue on top of a fountain called Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (often called “Eros”). On top of the fountain is a statue of Anteros. The fountain was completed in 1892 by the artist Alfred Gilbert to commemorate the philanthropic endeavors of Lord Shaftesbury.
You may remember that in the film version of Bridget Jones’s Diary, the titular character walks through Piccadilly Circus while on her way to the book launch of Kafka’s Motorbike. (Bridget works in book publishing and handles press releases.)
Piccadilly Circus is a vibrant section of London full of shops, like the bookstore Waterstones, and the iconic tea shop Fortnum and Mason (181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER), a 17th-century landmark shop that sells fine groceries and expertly crafted teas.
(If you happen to be visiting London at Christmas time, be sure to go to Piccadilly Circus on your visit, as this area is particularly magical during the holiday season, with the glowing, glittering lights.)
Tower Bridge
Who can forget the iconic moment when Bridget Jones is walking along Tower Bridge on her way to work, smoking a cigarette with a smirk on her face after having spent the night with her boss, Daniel Cleaver? It’s a great scene, and if it’s one you want to recreate––walking along the bridge with a self-satisfied smile––head to Tower Bridge.
This impressive landmark is a suspension and bascule bridge, and it was designed by Horace Jones. The bridge was built between 1886 and 1894, and helmed by engineer John Wolfe Barry, along with Henry Marc Brunel.
Tower Bridge Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, UK
Restaurant at the Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is one of the coolest and most interesting museums in all of London. It’s conveniently located near Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, so you can do some extra sightseeing while you’re down at the Tate Modern.
The Tate Modern’s restaurant is an excellent experience with delicious food and incredible views of the city. It’s also where Bridget meets her friends Jude, Shazza, and Tom to gossip over drinks and discuss her new crush.
Tate Modern Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK
Anne McCarthy is the Editor in Chief of the Fat Tire Tours Blog. She is a contributing writer to the BBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Variety, Wired, and many more. She splits her time between the U.S. and Europe.
