Netflix Walking Tour: From Bridgerton to The Crown, a free walking tour through the filming locations

Netflix is rewarding its fans with a fun activity to be held in London, Paris and Madrid for one week only this summer. Between the 11^th and 17^th of July, there will be free walking tours that will take participants through the locations where some of the streaming channel’s most popular productions were set and shot. During the two-hour experience, a guide who is equally versed in Netflix shows and in the city in question offers a mix of historical and cultural trivia.

The London tour looks at productions such as Bridgerton, The Crown, Anatomy of a Scandal, Top Boy and the film Enola Holmes. It sets off in St James’s Park and moves through the West End to end up in the Strand. The guide points out buildings where some key fictional scenes unfold and provides photographic reminders by showing stills from the shows. Inevitably, the tour also touches on theatre and film history in the capital as it crosses Theatreland and Leicester Square.

Series buffs may find that not enough behind-the-scenes insights are revealed, and the fact that the tour sticks exclusively to exteriors, without any peeks inside the buildings discussed, can leave one wanting more. The high concentration of landmarks in the city centre, however, widens the scope of the tour beyond Netflix productions, keeping it interesting throughout. The settings used for filming are intrinsically tied with London’s history, which is of course incredibly rich, so the sheer amount of cool trivia imparted makes this a worthwhile experience, not just for Netflix geeks, but for all lovers of the Big Smoke. 

The tour, run by travel company Sandemans, ends with suggestions of further explorations around the city to be undertaken in one’s own time. Aside from visiting other iconic spots used for filming, one enticing option is to head to the Lanesborough Hotel and partake of their Bridgerton-themed Afternoon Tea. With a menu featuring finger sandwiches, scones and a selection of charming sweet treats inspired by the characters of the series, it is the perfect way to follow up the Netflix tour.

Walking tours in Paris and Madrid will focus on productions like Emily in Paris and La Casa De Papel, respectively. Netflix say that by showcasing different countries in their series and films, they have contributed to an increasing interest in the places featured and thus boosted tourism. Viewers showed around 25% more keenness to explore the culture depicted in their favourite show, according to a survey conducted by the streaming company last year.

Mersa Auda

Netflix Walking Tour is on in London, Paris and Madrid from 11^th July until 17^th July 2022. For further information visit the booking website here.