Ted Lasso sees Richmond crowned London's most 'screen-worthy' filming location

With buzz building around the hotly anticipated Beatles biopic filming across Liverpool and London, and Bridgerton’s lavish Regency locations back in the spotlight following its latest release, set-jetting is once again shaping travel plans.

Tapping into this trend, new research reveals London’s most ‘screen-worthy’ filming locations to visit, spotlighting the real-life destinations where fans can step straight into their favourite scenes.

Richmond has been crowned the number one filming location to visit, thanks to its starring role in hit series Ted Lasso and an impressive 5.2 million Instagram posts. The southwest London neighbourhood achieved an overall score of 8.36 out of 10, making it the most culturally impactful on-screen destination analysed.

The study, conducted by Choose Leisure, examined some of the UK’s most recognisable filming backdrops, ranking each by social media buzz, critical reception and on-screen popularity.

London didn’t just feature prominently, it dominated, generating significantly higher engagement levels than most other cities.

Top 9 must-see screen-worthy filming locations in London:

Richmond’s runaway lead highlights how powerful modern TV fandom can be. With more than five million Instagram tags and near-universal critical praise for Ted Lasso, the area outperformed every other location in the study with a total score of 8.36 out of 10. Its village feel, independent shops and riverside setting have effectively turned it into a real-life set visitors can walk through.

Tower Bridge ranks second and proves the enduring appeal of blockbuster cinema. Its near-three million hashtags and high viewing score of 91% for Spider-Man: Far From Home make it one of the capital’s most instantly recognisable big-screen landmarks with a ranking of 5.61 out of 10.It isfrequently used for action sequences and dramatic establishing shots.

Guildhall takes third place with 4.82/10 overall, boosted by the family appeal and critical success of Paddington, which earned an exceptional 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, one of the strongest reviews of any title analysed. Meanwhile, Leadenhall Market remains a pilgrimage site for Harry Potter fans, who continue to seek out the Victorian arcade that doubled as Diagon Alley as it received a 4.13/10.

Mid-table spots reveal how varied London’s screen credentials are. Borough Market’s romantic-comedy fame, the political grandeur of the Houses of Parliament, and Croydon’s dystopian turn in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch show how different genres, from rom-coms to thrillers, have all left their mark on the capital.

Even lower-ranked sites such as Bank Junction and St Bartholomew the Great demonstrate London’s depth of cinematic history, appearing in cult classics and action films that still attract dedicated fans.

What sets London apart is density. Many of these filming spots sit within walking distance of each other, allowing visitors to build an entire screen-themed itinerary in a single day.

Collectively, the nine locations generated over 10 million Instagram hashtags, underscoring the capital’s dominance in screen tourism and its unique ability to blend real-world sightseeing with pop culture experiences.

Top 5 must-see screen-worthy filming locations across the UK:

While London dominates overall, several regional destinations also rank highly. Cambridge takes first place with a score of 6.5/10, followed by Lyme Park (6.27), Tollymore Forest Park (5.69), Eastbourne (5.44) and Edinburgh (5.35), rounding out the UK’s top five screen-worthy filming locations outside the capital.

Together, the rankings highlight how screen tourism now spans every corner of the UK, giving travellers plenty of options for a pit stop on their journey beyond London, from heritage cities and stately homes to forests, coastlines and cultural hotspots.

Dave Williams, travel specialist at Kent motorhome company Choose Leisure said:“Film and TV are now one of the biggest drivers of travel decisions. We’re seeing a real surge in ‘set-jetting’, where people plan entire breaks around the shows and films they love, rather than just picking a destination on a map.

“There’s something special about standing exactly where an iconic scene was shot, whether that’s grabbing a coffee in Richmond like Ted Lasso, crossing Tower Bridge like Spider-Man, or wandering through historic markets and streets you’ve seen on screen. It turns sightseeing into something far more personal and memorable.

“Our advice is to build a mini-itinerary around a few nearby locations, travel midweek where possible, and explore on foot to uncover the smaller backdrops you might otherwise miss. Many of these spots are within walking distance of each other, especially in London, which makes it easy to see several in one day.

“What surprised us most is just how diverse these filming locations are. Beyond the capital, some of the UK’s most cinematic settings are hidden in coastal towns, forests and countryside estates, perfect for scenic drives, restful retreats and longer trips. It shows you don’t have to travel far to feel like you’ve stepped onto a film set.”