Explore the London locations of Bridget Jones
Explore the London locations of Bridget Jones
Explore the locations associated with the hit films, from Petersham and Teddington to Hampstead and Tower Bridge.
By Kitty Shepherd-Cross
Main image: © Universal Pictures
In a world of filters and facetune, Bridget Jones is a constant reassurance that even if you have zero cooking ability, eat Ben & Jerry’s by the tub, and wear granny pants, you can still be loved by a nation.
So, it’s no surprise that British women have been gripped by the release of the fourth film, Mad About the Boy, this February.
Bridget Jones, now aged 50, still has her chaotic charm – doing the school run in her pyjamas, not knowing her Netflix password, and being less aware of the contents of her kitchen cupboards than her 20-year-old nanny—but there’s been a lot of character development.
At 50, Bridget has achieved many of the dreams she once longed for in her 30s – a loving husband, two children, and a gorgeous home in Hampstead. But she also has something she never expected: the loss of her beloved Darcy.
The film is a reminder of life’s unexpected and often cruel turns. It’s a reflection on the frivolous self-consumption we often fall into in our youth. Bridget Jones no longer agonises over whether she is 135 or 136 pounds – but how to raise her children after the death of their father.
It’s a reminder that first impressions shouldn’t count. Thirty-year-old Bridget would never have imagined that the rude (yet regrettably good-looking) family friend at her mother’s Turkey Curry Buffet would one day become her husband and the father of her children. Even less so that she’d end up mourning his loss after he was killed on a humanitarian mission in Sudan.
But it’s also a film of hope. She manages to secure the latest hunk: Roxster (played by Leo Woodall). She proves that, like many women whose careers are side-lined while raising children, she can return to work. She’s even invited to her children’s school to give a lecture on her career: of course, the quintessential hallmark of success.
The film is moving and momentous—there’s no doubt it has severely depleted the Odeon’s tissue supplies. But when you leave the cinema, clutching scrunched-up tissues with red eyes, what’s next? We can’t be waiting another nine years for the next Bridget adventure.
Well, if you live in London, you’re likely just a few miles from a Bridget Jones film set: so here’s your ultimate London guide to spending a weekend living like Bridget Jones.
Bridget’s Original Flat – 8 Bedale Street, Southwark
Bridget’s original flat, the iconic backdrop to her single life, sits at 8 Bedale Street in Southwark. Fans will instantly recognise the famous blue door above Borough Market, where Bridget danced around in her pyjamas and wrote diary entries filled with emotional turmoil.
The Globe Tavern & Khao Bird Thai Restaurant
The original flat is located above The Globe Tavern, and has since been transformed into the Thai restaurant Khao Bird. As a nod to the film, they serve “Blue Soup Cocktails,” inspired by Bridget’s infamous blue leek and potato soup mishap. Whether you want to relive the film’s spirit or just enjoy a delicious meal, this spot is a must-visit.
Hampstead Heath – Bridget’s New Home and Playground
In Mad About the Boy, Bridget moves to the leafy streets of Hampstead, with several scenes filmed on Hampstead Heath. So, head there for a day of true Bridget-style adventures: getting stuck up a tree, flirting with a park warden, and feeling deeply inadequate compared to the effortlessly chic PTA mums. While you’re at it, you might even bump into one of Hampstead’s famous residents: Ricky Gervais, Jude Law, or Stephen Fry, to name a few.
Borough Market – Bridget’s Past and Present
Borough Market is a recurring theme in Bridget’s life, from her early days as a clumsy singleton to returning as a 50-year-old mother of two. Whether she’s stumbling around in a bunny costume or navigating a date with Roxster, this bustling market remains a key backdrop.
Dinner Date at La Cage Imaginaire – Flask Walk, Hampstead
Bridget’s romantic dinner with Roxster takes place at La Cage Imaginaire, a tucked-away French brasserie on Flask Walk. It’s a true Parisian-style eatery serving all the indulgent classics: French onion soup, foie gras, and crème brûlée.
Tower Bridge – Bridget’s Empowering Moment
For many Londoners, Tower Bridge is just another part of the daily commute. But for Bridget in the latest film, storming across the bridge to return to work is a defining moment. one that symbolises her new life as a strong, independent woman. Take a walk across the bridge at sunset and soak in the cinematic magic.
Petersham House, Richmond – The Exclusive Film Set
If you want to step inside a real Bridget Jones film set, now’s your chance! The glamorous summer party scene, where Roxster dives into the pool to save a drowning dog, was filmed at Petersham House in Richmond. The stunning private residence is opening to the public on April 13 as part of the National Garden Scheme, offering fans a rare glimpse behind the scenes. If only all London parties looked this good!
The school concert – Normansfield Theatre, Teddington
The school concert is set in a church hall but was actually filmed at the gorgeous Grade II-listed Normansfield Theatre in Teddington – the theatre was also used as a location in Bridgerton!
