23 August 2006
“Haven’t I seen that somewhere before?” Free film map entices tourists to West London
Some of Hollywood’s best-known movies have used West London locations as their backdrop. Now, a new map reveals just how popular the area has become with film-makers and invites movie buffs to experience ‘West Londonwood’ for themselves.
The Go West film map, a free guide available in cinemas, libraries and online, pinpoints 27 West London locations featured in blockbusters such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Calendar Girls and Shaun of the Dead. The map invites film-lovers to come and relive some of their favourite scenes - everything from John Hannah romancing Gwyneth Paltrow on Hammersmith Bridge in Sliding Doors, to Keira Knightley bending it like Beckham in Barra Hall Park, Hayes - and provides detailed information about other attractions in the vicinity.
The map has been compiled by the Hammersmith & Fulham visitor development team, with the support of six West London boroughs, to provide a visual taster of West London’s sights and amenities, in the hope that residents and tourists alike will spend more of their time in the region.
Catherine Knight, Hammersmith & Fulham visitor development officer, says: “One in five visitors to Britain is inspired to holiday here because of a film they have seen, and film tourism is a growing global phenomenon that has created a new breed of tourist: the ‘set-jetter’. We want to encourage these movie fans to explore West London and discover just how much the area has to offer – from the rich urban mix of Hammersmith & Fulham to the country houses of Hounslow. And we also hope that Londoners and people who live in the area will pick up the map and choose to learn more about the streets, parks and buildings that they pass each day. What could be more fun than to retrace the steps of your favourite movie stars and discover a new side of the city at the same time?”
Ollie Burton is operations manager at BBC Tours, the award-winning backstage tour at BBC Television Centre in White City. Says Ollie, “This film map is a great way to find out about the rich cultural heritage of West London. Thanks to the presence of media powerhouses like BBC Television Centre and Ealing Studios, the area has long been associated with film and television production, and remains one of the key media ‘hubs’ in London. The success of BBC Tours proves that people have a fondness and fascination for what they see on screen, and I’m sure that residents and tourists alike will enjoy exploring these locations and gaining a new insight into West London life.”
Film maps are available in locations across the London boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow, including cinemas and libraries.
Notes to the Editor
1. The six London boroughs featured in the Go West map, and some of the films shot there: Brent (Shaun of the Dead, Love Actually, Derailed); Ealing (About a Boy, The Importance of Being Earnest, Calendar Girls); Hammersmith & Fulham (Sliding Doors, Scoop, Match Point); Harrow (Harry Potter, The Devil Rides Out, The Battle of Britain); Hillingdon (Chocolat, The Young Ones, A Clockwork Orange); Hounslow (Bend it like Beckham, The Madness of King George, Vanity Fair).
2. The production of the map was funded through contributions by several of the featured boroughs.
3. West London boroughs are keen to work together to promote the visitor economy in this sub-region. Tourism is worth hundreds of millions to the economy of West London – for instance, the total value/expenditure of tourism to Hammersmith & Fulham in 2003 was 607.85 million. Total tourism spending in London is approximately £15bn per annum.
4. The Hammersmith & Fulham Visitor Development team is part of Hammersmith & Fulham council’s Regeneration & Housing Strategy division. The post of Visitor Development Officer is funded by the LDA through Regenasis, the borough regeneration agency, and aims to deliver the Mayor of London’s tourism strategy – spreading the economic benefit of London tourism to all. In November 2005 the team was nominated for a Visit London award.