“To me, you are perfect.”
We couldn’t write about Love Actually without referencing one of the most meme-able moments in the history of modern film.
Richard Curtis’ 2003 Christmas-themed romantic comedy was a smashing success from the moment it hit cinemas, making back its budget in ticket sales almost five times over. Like it, love it, or find yourself simply unable to move past Mark’s creepy wedding videography, the film’s status as a holiday classic cannot be debated.
Is Love Actually set in England?
Indeed. Most of Love Actually is set in and around London, England. And, for fans of the movie who find themselves traveling through London, you’re in luck: many of the Love Actually filming locations are readily accessible by train. So, grab a hot chocolate (or a mulled wine, if you’re already in the UK), and have fun plotting out a tour of some of the film’s most noteworthy locations in London.
Because to us, you deserve to live out your best Love Actually life.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: St Luke's Mews, Notting Hill, London
Where was the Love Actually scene filmed?
Closest tube station: Westbourne Park
We know exactly what scene you're thinking of: the iconic love confession scene where Mark (played by Andrew Lincoln) confesses his love to Juliet (Kiera Knightley) with the help of many large cue cards.
Set on a sleepy street in an undeniably cool (and unforgettably pink) urban house, fans can find this filming location at 27 St Luke’s Mews, Notting Hill, London W11 1DF. Just be mindful that it is a residential street, so maybe don’t linger around the home for too long.
Grosvenor Chapel – Love Actually filming location
Closest tube stations: Green Park, Bond Street
One of the movie’s juiciest love triangles kicks off with an undeniably classy affair, the wedding between Juliet and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
Fans of the movie can head over to this London Love Actually filming location at Grosvenor Chapel in Mayfair at 24 South Audley St, London W1K 2PA.
Just make sure to check the chapel’s website before heading over as it is a busy space, so you might not be able to pop in on a whim. And don’t expect a brass band to greet you with The Beatles music – that was only for the movie.
Image Credit: Getty Images, © Artem Vorobiev. Image Location: Mayfair, London
Love Actually filming locations in London
Heathrow Airport
Love Actually opens and closes with a nod to travel, and as Hugh Grant, who plays David, the Prime Minister of the UK, explains that whenever he gets gloomy about the state of the world, he thinks about the arrivals gate at London’s Heathrow Airport.
If London is the first leg of your travels, there’s a good chance you’ll be flying through Heathrow anyway, so take a snapshot, mental, or otherwise. Terminal 3 is where the film was shot.
If you enter the city via train, Gatwick Airport, or other means, you’re in luck: you can get to Heathrow from Central London on the Heathrow Express in around 15 mins.
The Christmas concert
Closest tube station: East Putney
One of Love Actually’s final large-scale set pieces is a primary school Christmas concert, where the majority of the film’s ensemble cast find themselves cheering on a Christmas pageant and really getting into the spirit of the holidays.
If you want to get into the spirit of the movie, this scene was filmed in South West London, at Ark Putney Academy, Pullman Gardens, London SW15 3DG.
Harry’s secret jewelry purchase
Closest tube station: Bond Street
One of the sadder subplots of the movie sees Harry (Alan Rickman) getting caught in an affair with a coworker, leaving his wife Karen (Emma Thompson) an emotional wreck in the process. It’s not exactly feel-good, but this sequence of events does feature one of the funnier moments in the movie, when Harry attempts to buy his secret lover a necklace. Unfortunately, Rufus (Rowan Atkinson), an overly eager jewelry salesman, gets caught up in the moment, creating an incredible scene where he comically fills the shopping bag with all sorts of flowers and potpourri.
This scene was filmed in Selfridges, a fancy department store in the equally fancy Marylebone neighborhood of London. Give it a visit, especially if you’re into the posher side of London.
Image Credit: Getty Images, 5xinc. Image Location: Oxo Tower Wharf, South Bank, London
Mark’s contemplative walk
Closest tube stations: Blackfriars, Southwark, Waterloo
We’ll finish this list where we started.
After Juliet watches Mark’s wedding video which accidentally reveals his love for her, he takes an incredibly emotive walk around the South Bank, with apt music by Dido playing during the scene.
Those wishing to recreate this need only seek out the Oxo Tower Wharf and surrounding side streets. Make a day (or at least a half day) of it while you’re there – Oxo Tower is on the South Bank, only a stone’s throw away from some incredible landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, the London Eye, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Ready to ride the love train?
Passing through London and want to hit up these filming locations? Download the Trainline App and discover how easy it is to book quick and convenient train tickets to London from the rest of the UK and Europe. And if you're looking to scout out more filming locations from your favorite British movies and TV shows, check out our articles on filming locations for Notting Hill, V for Vendetta, Paddington, Queen Charlotte, Ted Lasso, The Crown, and The Diplomat.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, JJFarquitectos. Image Location: St Luke's Mews, Notting Hill, London