Are you the ultimate Friends fan? Set in New York City, this popular sitcom follows the lives of a group of six best friends in their mid-twenties. While many people travel to New York to visit some of the show’s iconic filming locations, there are plenty of places throughout London where filming once took place.
During season four, the Friends cast fly to London for a wedding, and many of the city’s most popular attractions are featured in the last two episodes. Some of London’s must-see Friends landmarks include:
Read on as we help you plan an unforgettable Friends tour around the capital.
The first stop on your tour should be Westminster Abbey. Friends fans might remember the iconic moment when Joey pretends to step into the map in season four, episode 23, trying to find Westminster Abbey.
The abbey is located in the heart of Westminster and boasts an impressive structure. It has been the location for every coronation since 1066 and the setting for other royal events, including 16 royal weddings. As well as admiring Westminster Abbey from the outside, visitors are also welcome to explore inside.
The general opening times are Monday to Sunday, 09:30 to 15:30. Some of Westminster Abbey’s highlights include the Coronation Chair, The Lady Chapel and the Cloisters. You can find out about entry prices here. From Westminster Abbey, make sure to take a look at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, only a short walk away.
The next stop on your tour should be Buckingham Palace, only a 15-minute walk from Westminster Abbey. During season four, episode 23 of Friends, images of the Palace are fleetingly seen on the b-roll filmed on Joey’s camcorder. The character encounters royalty as he bumps into Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and the mother of Princess Eugenie and Beatrice.
Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of Britain’s monarchy since 1837. Marvel at the building from the outside and watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, which takes place in the forecourt throughout the year. Buckingham Palace is also open to visitors between July and October when you can explore the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery.
One of the most memorable moments in the Friends London episodes is when Joey buys a Union Jack hat from guest star Richard Branson, much to the disapproval of Chandler. This scene is shot around Trinity Square, near the River Thames and the Tower of London. To get to Trinity Square from Buckingham Palace, hop on the Tube at Green Park station and take the Jubilee (silver) line to London Bridge station, and walk 18 minutes from there.
Here, you can find your own souvenir from one of the stalls nearby. You can also walk through Trinity Square Gardens, a picturesque green space, and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants dotted around the area.
From Trinity Square, walk for 9 minutes along the Thames until you reach the famous Tower Bridge. In season four, episode 23, this bridge makes a fleeting appearance when Joey and Chandler ride the London open-top bus.
Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge that intersects the Thames near the Tower of London. Officially opened in 1894 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, this bridge is arguably the most well-known in London due to the towers that sit at either end. Stroll over the bridge and take in idyllic views of London from either side. Visitors can now also explore inside Tower Bridge and walk across its extraordinary glass floor. You can find out more about this unique experience here.
Or, follow in the footsteps of Joey and Chandler and book an open-top bus tour around the city. This is the best way to see many of London’s unmissable landmarks in one go.
Once you’ve explored Tower Bridge, walk for 14 minutes to Wapping High Street. This pretty street is one of the filming spots in the first Friends London episode, when Ross, Emily and Monica head out to see Emily’s chosen wedding venue. Wapping High Street is surrounded by greenery and features a historic pub, the Town of Ramsgate.
The Town of Ramsgate is the perfect place to stop for food during your Friends tour. Choose from an extensive range of dishes, including pizzas, burgers and classic British pies.
The final stop on your Friends tour should be St John’s Church, a former church located just around the corner from Wapping High Street. The exterior of this stunning building is visible in the first Friends London episode, when Ross, Emily and Monica discover that the church is being demolished.
It’s unclear whether computer-generated imagery was used to transform St John’s Church into a building site or whether the building was undergoing renovations at the time of filming. It’s unlikely that Ross and Emily’s wedding was filmed inside the church.
St John’s Church dates back to the 18th century but was destroyed by a bomb during World War II. The church’s tower was restored in 1964 by the London County Council, and the rest of the building was converted into flats in the 1990s.
Whether you’re planning the ultimate Friends tour or exploring other landmarks throughout London, our Leonardo London Royal Hotels offer the perfect place to stay during your visit to the capital. Our Tower Bridge Hotel, London City Hotel and St Paul’s Hotel all boast comfortable rooms, outstanding restaurants and high-quality health and leisure facilities. And with their central locations, you’ll never be too far from London’s top attractions.
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