London on Screen: TV Shows & Films Worth Watching Before Your Trip

Watching something set in London before you visit gives useful context for neighbourhoods and city character — here's a shortlist that's more informative than most guidebooks.

TV Shows

Peaky Blinders touches London's criminal history in the 1920s. Sherlock (BBC) uses genuine London locations extensively. Fleabag captures a specific slice of contemporary London life and humour. Luther shows a darker, more atmospheric side of the city.

Films

Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary and About Time all use real London locations extensively and are useful for orientation. 28 Days Later's opening sequence of an empty central London is genuinely disorienting to watch after visiting.

Tips

• Watching something London-set before you go genuinely helps with neighbourhood orientation.
• Several film location walking tours build on these — search for specific operators once you know what interests you.