The wife and I will be in London for the first time next month. I'm a huge James Bond fan and, fortunately, my beautiful wife is happy to indulge my facination with all things 007 (I'm a very lucky man). I would love to check out any Bond-related sites in London while there, but I'm finding it hard to find any information anywhere. Does anyone know of any shop, museum, historical site, etc, that a fan might enjoy? Heck, even a shop that might have a lot of Bond memorabilia would be nice to see. (Bonus question: If anyone has a personal, not-to-be-missed, favorite thing to do in London, we'd love to hear it.) Thanks!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
http://britmovietours.com/bookings/james-bond-walking-tour-of-london/ http://britmovietours.com/bookings/spy-movie-london-tour/ http://www.londonducktours.co.uk/tours/james-bond-tour Unfortunately you're a bit late:( Last year there was a big 007 exhibition, it's now on a world-tour. Last I heard it was in Toronto.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Check out the Internet Movie Data Base... it might give filming locations. When you get to the website go to Movies-Advanced Search-Title- drop down to Filming Locations.
Posted by
OP
USA
27 posts
Michael - Thanks for the links. I know the exhibit you speak of - it was at the Barbican. I have friends that went and they loved it. I was completely bummed when I found out the exhibit would be gone by the time we got there. :-)
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
Hello. My husband and I have gone to London, four times in the last four years. We so much looked forward to visiting the Bond sets, if there were still any around. Before we went over there for the first itme, I looked into Pinewood Studios. That is where they film the 007 movies, plus a number of other movies. Unfortunatley, the studios are closed to the public. We were so disappointed. They are the largest studio property in the world also. You can see the real MI6 building along the Thames though. You can't miss it. That was shown in "Skyfall" recently.
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
449 posts
This is to expand upon Elaine's comment about MI6 headquarters. This building is located in Vauxhall Cross which is the area near the Vauxhall Bridge on the north side. It has been featured in several James Bond films in addition to Skyfall. When I was viewing the latest 007 adventure I tried to determine if the view from M's office correctly showed what was across the Thames River - could not determine this. MI6 headquarters is supposed to have a small museum. However, the entire building is off limits to the public. Here is a link that gives some more information about the building: http://www.adventuresofagoodman.com/james-bond-mi6-london-vauxhall-cross-photography/ I saw the "Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style" when I visited London last summer and am glad to hear that it is being displayed in other cities. It has some really interesting items such as Rosa Klebb's knife shoe and a mannikin of the Slavic computer genius who gets frozen from spilled liquid nitrogen.
Posted by
Victoria, BC, Canada
101 posts
For the Bond-ofile....If you want all things Bond.. May I suggest a visit to the National Motor museum in beaulieu is in order, we were there in November they have on display all the Bond Cars PLUS many of Q's gadgets.. We never did get to see the Manor house as we spent all day with the cars ! . I had thought it was due to end this month but I've taken a peek at the website and they have extended the exhibition.. Here is the website.. .. http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/attractions/bond-in-motion .. If your wife gets bored there is a lovely country house and Abbey ruins for her to explore..
It would be worth looking into spending the night in the area as it will otherwise make for a very long day:) Do let me know if you manage to go. ...
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
Max,
You might check with the people who run the Original London Walks (www.walks.com) and see if they have anything running while you are there. Occasionally they'll run a James Bond themed walk, but it isn't on their standard schedule. 007 does so much of his work in the more glamorous parts of the globe so there aren't many things in London proper to see. Of course, you can always come to Washington, DC, (my neck of the woods) and visit the International Spy Museum. There is an exhibit of "50 Years of Bond Villains" running right now!
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Teresa, Thanks for the Beaulieu link, the exhibit is scheduled to run until January 2014. DH and I will be in London in Dec. and I'm sure he'd love this! How did you get there from London? I looked under the "planning your visit" tab and it looked a little complicated to do it by public transpo... which would be our way to go.
Posted by
Land of La
9219 posts
Here's an article you might enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/bdf9u2r
Posted by
Victoria, BC, Canada
101 posts
Hi Diane, Although I've lived in Canada for over 20 years, I am originally from England, we were staying in Bristol visiting family and had a rental car. . To make the most of your visit I think it would be best if you planned on spending the night, it's a beautiful part of the country that is often missed by overseas visitors. . I don't think it would be the sort of journey I would do unless I had a car, it would take too long as there is no direct link. . www.transportdirect.info << Useful site for route planning . I don't know if there are any coach tours that would offer a day trip from London, unfortunately I only know west country based ones such as Bakers Dolphin that offer day trips to Beaulieu, I'm sure there would be some from London, maybe get hold of London Tourist office and ask them ? .
If you don't mind driving though, that would be the best way to go.