The set-jetter’s guide to Bridget Jones’ London

Words: Lizzie Frainier

Bridget Jones is one of the most loveable main characters of the romcom genre. Why? Because she’s far from perfect, makes mistakes and finds herself in her fair share of embarrassing situations. Because she’s human. If you’re single and feeling out of sorts, watching Bridget fly down a fireman’s pole with her knickers on show or turning up at a posh summer garden party in a sexy bunny costume is wonderfully comforting. It makes the last ridiculous thing you did feel a little less ridiculous. Her new outing, Mad About the Boy, lands on 13 February in most cinemas around the world, and this time features Bridget as a single mum. The other starring role is, of course, London, Bridget’s home and where most of her adventures unfold. Here’s where you can follow in her footsteps.

Globe Tavern, Borough Market

Featured in all films

Let’s not get caught up by the fact that there’s no way Bridget could afford the Zone 1 rent on her flat on 8 Bedale Street in the middle of Borough Market. Instead, let’s imagine how perfect it would be to live here (you’ll recognise the door) before popping in for a pint of London Pride at the friendly pub underneath. Thankfully, no blue soup on the menu.

Institute of Contemporary Arts, St James’s

Featured in Bridget Jones' Diary

Who could forget Bridget’s speech at the book launch for ‘Kafka’s Motorbike’? It’s many people’s worst fear coming to life – public speaking gone wrong. And with Salman Rushdie in the audience, no less. Never mind, we still love her (and her little black dress). It’s shot in one of the grand white rooms of the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Visit today for contemporary exhibitions, intriguing gigs, and screenings of quirky films.

Royal Courts of Justice, Westminster

Featured in Bridget Jones' Diary

Bridge’s big break as a self-styled ‘hard-headed journalist’ comes when she bumps into Mark Darcy outside the Royal Courts of Justice and he gets her a TV interview with a famous freedom fighter. He happens to be his client, of course. Book a tour to see inside. It’s a riot of 19th-century Gothic architecture. Sadly, Colin Firth is unlikely be your guide.

Kensington Gardens, Kensington and Chelsea

Featured in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

The film series has some of the best fight scenes of the romcom genre. It’s superb at capturing exactly how two posh British men would roll up their sleeves. Take when Darcy confronts Daniel Cleaver in The Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens, and the two end up sodden and scrambling in the Italian Fountains outside to the tune of The Darkness’s ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’. Visit on a sunny day and do your best not to start any brawls.

Rigby and Peller, Mayfair

Featured in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

Bridget Jones may fly the flag for big knickers, but when she decides to shop for a corset in the Edge of Reason before the Law Council Dinner with Darcy, it’s at Rigby and Peller in Mayfair. Stop by to pick up something lovely and lacey for yourself. Just make sure you can breathe in it.

The Light Bar, Shoreditch

Featured in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

If you’re anything like Bridget, you’ll have experienced at least one occasion where your three closest friends rally round to tell you to ‘chuck him while you’re still ahead and not pregnant with his unwanted child’. That’s the advice Shazza gives to Bridget in The Light Bar. Dissect your own love life with a friend or two here, Girlcore (vodka, sloe gin, fig, Champagne cordial) cocktail in hand

Greenwich Park, Greenwich

Featured in Bridget Jones' Baby

Bridget chooses a bandstand in Greenwich Park to tell her dad about her forthcoming baby (and the fact she’s not sure who the father is). He takes it rather well and the views of the city are spectacular. Head here yourself for a heartwarming conversation looking out over London (it needn’t be about the paternity of your child…).

Electric Cinema, Notting Hill

Featured in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (possibly)

Renée Zellweger and Leo Woodall (Bridget’s latest dishy love interest) were spotted here during filming of the latest movie, but it’s yet to be confirmed if the historic cinema on Portobello Road will feature. Either way, it’s a seriously romantic spot for a film night, with ruby red leather armchairs and a front row of double beds.

Hampstead Heath, Hampstead

Featured in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

The trailer for Mad About the Boy reveals Bridget stuck up a tree on Hampstead Heath, and none other than Leo Woodall as Roxster helping her down. She may be older and wiser, but she still gets herself in a pickle from time to time. Pick up picnic supplies from one of the lovely delis in Hampstead and find a spot next to a large tree. You never know who might waltz by. “Leo, is that you?”

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