West London film map
"Haven't I seen that somewhere before?"
Ealing residents and tourists alike have been inspired to take a closer look at their surroundings, after seeing the West London Film Map (pdf, large file, 6.4MB) which pinpoints the exact locations where big-name films have been shot.
Some of Hollywood’s best-known movies have used Ealing and other west London locations as their backdrop.
For example, the stately home of Earnest (played by Rupert Everett) in The Importance of Being Earnest, is actually Ealing's very own Pitzhanger Manor; while vibrant Southall Broadway features in Bend it Like Beckham, in the sari shopping scene.
Other films shot in Ealing include Calendar Girls, About a Boy, and Love Actually.
The film map also highlights set locations in five other west London boroughs: Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Brent and Harrow. A visual taster of what west London has to offer, the map has details and images of interesting and accessible film locations, with suggested trails and markers.
Councillor Brian Castle, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: "The map is an innovative way of attracting tourism to Ealing by tapping into the thriving film market that we have here and on our West London doorstep.
"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."
Today, film tourism is a growing global phenomenon creating a new breed of tourist – the ‘set-jetter’. One in five visitors is inspired to holiday in Britain because of a film they have seen.
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' in Hammersmith and Fulham to the country houses of Hounslow.
West London Film Map (pdf, large file, 6.4MB)