London has always played a key role in the James Bond franchise.
Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, was born here and drew much of his inspiration for his books from the capital.
Today, let's follow in the footsteps of the famous secret agent for a visit like no other.
James Bond in London: article summary
James Bond in London: visit the exhibition dedicated to the spy
If you are a fan of James Bond filmsthen you must visit Bond In Motion, a James Bond exhibition at the London Film Museum.
Located in Covent Garden, it features a vast collection of more than 100 original vehicles and gadgets from the 24 films, and is the perfect place to visit for those who want to learn more about the world of cinema. the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. On site, you'll find many objects from the world of film, including :
- Boats
- Motorcycles
- Accessories
- Storyboards
- Famous gadgets
- A collection of cars driven in the saga
Speaking of cars, here you can see Goldeneye's magnificent Rolls-Royce Phantom.
To visit the site, you must 14.50 per person. Tickets can be purchased on the exhibition website.
Driving an Aston Martin
James Bond wouldn't be 007 without a stylish supercar to take him around every city he visits.
Many of the vehicles featured in the films are the Aston Martin is known as Bond's favorite.
If you want to experience the same sensations, you can rent one. Aston Martin, Car Hire offers everything from the Vantage to the Vanquish, and you can rent a DB9 from Hertz.
If you'd like to drive on a track, there are racecourses in various locations just outside London, including Silverstone (which can be briefly see in "Operation Thunderbolt).
James Bond in London: stay at the Four Seasons Hotel
As an international spy, James Bond travels the world and stays in the most luxurious hotels.
From the Peninsula in Hong Kong to the Cala Di Volpe hotel in Italy, it's only natural that a trip to London should also include a stay in a chic location. The Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf is perfect, as he was seen in Skyfall.
A Martini at Dukes
"Shaker, not spoon" is one of Bond's most emblematic phrases, and rumor has it that Ian Fleming coined the phrase at Dukes Down St James Place.
He was a regular at the bar in the '50s, renowned for his Martinis, and ordered his cocktail by shaker, which was unheard of at the time.
What's more, Dukes is often said to create some of the world's finest martinis.
James Bond in London: dinner at The Distillery
Another place you'll want to visit for a Bond-style martini is The Distillery, which offers a package called the James Bond Experience.
It's a culinary experience described as an immersive adventure. It includes a 5-course meal of Bond's favorite dishes, accompanied by his favorite drinks:
- Martini
- Champagne
- Bourbon
Admission costs £90, and bookings can be made at company website.
Climb to the top of the O2 Arena
One of the best scenes in the entire James Bond franchise is in "The World Is Not Enough", where Pierce Brosnan floats down the Thames past various London landmarks and is at the top of the Millennium Dome.
Now called the O2, you can climb to the top if you're not too terrified of heights.
This experience is available at sunset, to make things a little more magical. You can even combine your adventure with a glass of champagne.
Tickets for this activity cost 30 per person.
James Bond in London: escaping from a secret base
If you want to test all the secret agent skills you've acquired in London, there's no better way than to join M.'s spy agency.
ClueQuest is a escape gamebased on the life of a spy like James Bond, and offers you a wide range of tasks to complete.
The 60-minute missions include :
- Plan52 where you'll have to find out who the double agent is
- BlackSheep, which involves breaking into a secret base
- Origins where you'll be hiding out in the M base.
To experience the adventure of this attraction, you must count on 30 per person.
There are plenty of James Bond-related places to visit on your London vacation. Here you can live the life of a spy, cocktail in hand, for just a few hours!
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