New film map entices tourists to West London

---

Visitors encouraged to look for local Hollywood connections

Some of Hollywood’s best-known movies have used local locations as their backdrop. Now, a new map has been drawn-up that shows just how popular this part of London has been with filmmakers and invites people to explore them.

One in five visitors is inspired to holiday in Britain because of a film they have seen. Today, film tourism is a growing global phenomenon creating a new breed of tourist – the ‘set-jetter’. West London is the media hub of London, home of the BBC and Ealing Studios. The area also offers a huge range of locations for filming, from the "rich slice of urban life". This map is a visual taster of what West London has to offer with details and images of interesting and accessible film locations, a large map with suggested trails and markers.

Cllr Peter Thompson, the leader of Hounslow Council, said,“Many local residents will be surprised to learn that this borough has played a starring role in classics like Vanity Fair, The Madness of King George and Bend it Like Beckham. In addition, some of our most cherished buildings, like Chiswick House and Syon House, have been used as backdrops and seen by international audiences.”

Cllr Brian Castle, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development in Ealing Borough said, "Many of our residents may not know that films such as The Importance of Being Earnest, About A Boy and Love Actually include scenes shot in Ealing. I hope they will use the film map to explore the many wonderful locations that have been used."

Film maps will be available in locations across all six boroughs, including cinemas and libraries and you can access it on-line ( see link above) but note it is a very big file so you would probably need broadband to access it.

Films that have had locations in and around the area include Bend it like Beckham, The Madness of King George , Vanity Fair, Green Street, Sliding Doors, Scoop, Match Point, Calendar Girls, Shaun of the Dead and Love Actually.

Better known for being a hobbit, Elijah Wood played a football hooligan in the film Green Street and was filmed in the Griffin Pub in Brentford. Parts of the Madness of King George with Helen Mirren and Nigel Hawthorne were filmed at Syon House and Kiera Knightly was pictured in Gunnersbury Park for her role in Bend it Like Beckham.

Reese Witherspoon was filmed strolling in Chiswick House Grounds during Vanity Fair a location that was also used in a Hard Day's Night.

During Love Actually Colin Firth visits an artist’s house in Blenheim Road, Chiswick then hails a cab on The Avenue, to keep out of the winter chill, despite the fact it was filmed on a balmy July day. He obviously liked the location so much because he moved just down the road. The school music performance at the end of the film About A Boy in which Hugh Grant performs a guitar solo was filmed up the road at Acton Town Hall.

Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and Judy Dench the Importance of Being Earnest used Pitzhanger Manor Museum and Art Gallery, Ealing Green as the country home of Earnest (Rupert Everett).

Geoffrey Rush, Sharlize Theron and Emily Watson all appeared in the Life and Death of Peter Sellers. The exterior and interior of Ravenscourt Park Hospital were used as the hospital where Peter Sellers drives Britt Ekland to give birth to their child.

Hammersmith Bridge is a popular location for romantic comedies. Two were shot in 1998 - Sliding Doors and Martha Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence.

August 31, 2006