Bridget Jones’ Hampstead

If you don’t know beautiful Hampstead village in North London or haven’t been back for a while, the fourth Bridget Jones film “Mad about the Boy”, due for UK release on 14 February, is the perfect excuse to visit in search of film locations. Go for a stomp across Hampstead Heath to work up an appetite for brunch in one of the many cafés. Ginger & White in Perrin’s Court is my favourite, but you’ll have to be early to grab a table.

Novel and film number four finds Bridget living in family-friendly Hampstead, bringing up children Billy and Mabel and, spoiler alert, grieving the loss of husband Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth). Although not autobiographical, “Mad about the Boy” contains recognisable elements of author Helen Fielding’s personal experiences. She too found herself a single parent in Hampstead after the loss of close friend and father of her children, “The Simpsons” executive, Keith Curran in 2009.

Lead actor Renée Zellwegger (Bridget Jones) graced the red carpet in Leicester Square on 29 January, catching journalists by surprise because the UK premiere had been expected to take place on 11 February. By her side were the two actors playing Bridget’s love interest this time around: Leo Woodall of “White Lotus” and “One Day” fame and Chiwetel Ejiofor of “Twelve Years a Slave”. And of course Hugh Grant, squeezed back into the plot for old time’s sake. The glitzy after-party was at Brasserie Zedel.

So what are the places to include on a Bridget Jones-themed stroll round Hampstead? So far we only have the trailer and a few celebrity sightings to go by, but, starting at Hampstead tube on the Northern line, here are a few locations to get you underway:

Picturesque, cobbled Flask Walk and the atmospheric Flask pub were briefly closed (and given a Christmas make-over) whilst filming took place last summer. The name “Flask” originates from the early 1700s when Hampstead Wells and its chalybeate (iron-rich) water turned the village into London’s most popular spa resort. Remember to pop into florists, Sayeh & Galton Flowers on Flask Walk, just as Bridget does. It’s been run by owner Sayeh Rafie for 20 years. Bridget buys a hot chocolate for daughter Mabel in Flask Walk …. which is promptly spilt over her new white coat.

Bridget Jones gets stuck up a tree on Hampstead Heath, described as the “magic man tree” when the characters of teacher Mr Wallaker and park ranger Roxter compete to come to her aid. Head to Parliament Hill to try to work out which tree it was and to take in some breathtaking views of London, including the protected sightline of St Paul’s Cathedral. And whilst we’re on the subject of Mr Wallaker, Helen Fielding has admitted that the idea for the fictitious character’s name came from her son’s teacher at the junior branch of nearby University College School (UCS).

The exterior of Bridget’s Hampstead home was apparently modified for filming, but definitely has the vibe of the beautiful Victorian houses overlooking the Heath on Willow Road. Maybe you will spot a red open-top sports car like the one driven by Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver. Whilst there, go and see 2 Willow Road, the modernist house built by Ernő Goldfinger in 1939 and now owned by the National Trust. It’s closed for the winter (and currently covered in scaffolding) but reopens on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 March.

Christ Church primary school and the steps alongside feature as the school gate location in “Mad about the Boy”. And is the church the venue for Bridget’s children’s school carol concert? At one of the highest points in North London, it’s about 130m above sea level compared to 11m down by the River Thames. No wonder the rich fled here in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries to escape the plague and cholera, and to convalesce from tuberculosis. Thanks to the plentiful water supply from the River Fleet and the unpolluted clean air, city folk also sent their laundry here. It is said that, with clean white linen spread out across the bushes on the Heath to dry, it looked from the city below as though there was snow on the hilltops of Hampstead.

In the novel, Bridget buys sausages for a breakfast fry-up from an upmarket butcher. Surely that must be the “Hampstead Butchers and Providore” on Rosslyn Hill.

Finally, grab a pizza at the Cinquecento pizzeria on Haverstock Hill, just up from Chalk Farm tube station. During filming, Renée Zellwegger was spotted walking along the pavement just outside.

For the full Hampstead experience, take the children to a puppet show at the Wells Walk Theatre, swim in one of the Hampstead Heath ponds, enjoy a pint at the Holly Bush pub or a French crêpe at the crêperie stand outside the King William IV pub. Or maybe brunch at the new Ottolenghi or a Sunday roast at the Wells Tavern?

And if the Bridget Jones’ connection isn’t enough for you, Hampstead is packed with fine Georgian architecture and incredible history. It has more blue plaques than any other part of London, with the exception of Westminster: landscape painter John Constable, author Daphne du Maurier, wartime leader of the Free French General de Gaulle, John Galsworthy author of the Forsyte Saga. No wonder it’s become one of the most expensive London suburbs and a magnet for celebrities. Visit on the right day of the week and you can also visit the National Trust’s Fenton House, Keats House (where the poet penned “Ode to a Nightingale”) and the charming local history and art museum and café at Burgh House.

About the Author

Alison Seabrook Moore is a London Blue Badge and Camden Guide. A former French and German teacher, she now lives in Hampstead Garden Suburb. What better way to get to know Hampstead then with a Hampstead local? Meet Alison here