During my recent trip to London, I had the opportunity to visit one of the most iconic filming locations in the city: the famous blue door from the movie Notting Hill, located at 280 Westbourne Park Road in the heart of Notting Hill area. This spot has become a must-see for fans of the film.
The blue door has been made popular by appearing in Hugh Grant’s highest grossing movie.
| Rank | Movie Title | Year | Worldwide Box Office Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notting Hill | 1999 | $364 million |
| 2 | Bridget Jones’s Diary | 2001 | $282 million |
| 3 | Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason | 2004 | $263 million |
| 4 | Love Actually | 2003 | $247 million |
| 5 | Four Weddings and a Funeral | 1994 | $246 million |
| 6 | Two Weeks Notice | 2002 | $199 million |
| 7 | Paddington 2 | 2017 | $227 million |
| 8 | Music and Lyrics | 2007 | $146 million |
| 9 | Nine Months | 1995 | $139 million |
| 10 | Sense and Sensibility | 1995 | $135 million |
In the movie Notting Hill, Hugh Grant plays a bookshop owner whose life is transformed when he meets the world’s most famous film star, Julia Roberts. His character, William Thacker, resides in a charming house with the now-famous blue door in the upscale Notting Hill neighbourhood.
The house gained immense popularity following the movie’s release, but the owners initially found the constant attention overwhelming and painted the blue door black. However, in 2013, the door was repainted its iconic blue color, much to the delight of fans and tourists visiting Notting Hill.
Even on a gloomy Saturday morning in May 2013, a group of tourists could be found taking photos in front of the blue door. Fourteen years after the movie’s release, this iconic spot continues to attract visitors from around the globe, making it a prime example of set-jetting in London.
Other nearby filming locations
In addition to the famous blue door, several other nearby locations were featured in the movie. One notable spot is The Travel Book Company, located on Portobello Road. Although the original bookstore is now a gift shop, it remains a popular stop for fans. Another iconic location is Rosmead Gardens, a private garden where William and Anna share a romantic moment. While the gardens are private property, they are a beautiful part of the area. For those interested in exploring more of the area, the Coronet Theatre on Notting Hill Gate is also worth a visit. This historic theater, though no longer showing movies, is an architectural gem and a significant part of the local culture.
Visiting Notting Hill
To get to these filming locations, you can use the London Underground. The nearest stations include Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park, and Latimer Road. These stations provide easy access to all the key locations mentioned in the movie. By visiting these sites, you can experience the charm of the heigbourhood and relive some of the most memorable moments from the film.
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The original version of this article was first published on BrandsAndFilms.com in May, 2013.
