Guest post by Mary Hall
Pop culture fandoms experienced a massive shift in popularity with the rise of social media. People could find like-minded people more easily and discuss lore details endlessly with others while being able to create and attend events.
TV shows like “The Office” gained a considerable fanbase over the years as their popularity fluctuated. Gen Z discovered it and used the sitcom for memes, making it famous again. Star Wars also has one of the biggest fandoms of all time, along with Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead. Even singers like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift have incredible fan bases worldwide.
But being part of a fandom means more than talking with fans on social media. And sometimes, it’s better to get out there in the world and explore how your surroundings became part of the biggest fandoms in the world. So, here are some special locations in London for your fan’s heart.
London spots for Potterheads
Harry Potter scenes were filmed in many locations in the UK, most in London but also in the Scottish Highlands and Ireland. The beloved Harry Potter visited London a few times in both the books and the movies, which is why true fans are thrilled every time they cross the King Cross railway station.
The Harry Potter fandom is one of the biggest in the world, with endless merch and collections like that including all the characters and their houses. But if you want to see some of the filming locations yourself, make sure to stop by at:
- Platform 9 and 3/4s have a trolley and Hedwig cage for you to take pictures with. There’s also a ship nearby to buy merch, and you can also have a professional photograph taken with a house scarf;
- Cecil Court, which is the Diagon Alley, and Goodwins Court, also known as Knockturn Alley, in the movies. The bookshops have many quirky stuff to purchase;
- Grimmauld Place for the family home of Sirius Black that starts from No. 12 Grimmauld Place to Claremont Square;
- The London Zoo featured the moment when the Dursleys took Harry along for his birthday party;
London spots for Whovians
The fandom for Doctor Who, called Whovian, is what started the Doctor Who Appreciation Society (DWAS), a literal organization for fans. While the fandom seems to be dying due to the series’ age, since its first broadcast in 63’, the story sparked interest for spin-offs even recently with the “Tales of the TARDIS” series or the upcoming “The War Between the Land and the Sea” TV show. The location where many of the series’ moments were filmed, Pinewood Studios, is also home to many productions like Deadpool & Wolverine, so if you’re a fan, get your Funko Pop collection for Deadpool.
The most appreciated series with Doctor Who includes the 2005-2022 version with Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi. So, if you’d like a glimpse of the show, visit the following:
- The Who Shop is a museum that opened in the 84’ and has some great memories along with unique merch;
- The Tardis is an Earls Court Police Box near the Earl’s Court tube station, so you can find it easily. It is one of the most famous images from the show;
- Brandon Estate is a prominent spot for scenes with Rose and Jackie Tyler;
- Battersea Power Station is where the Doctor fights the cybermen Battersea;
London spots for Sherlockians
There are many media sources of Sherlock Holmes, but one of the most loved is the British drama in which Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman starred. The beloved detective and the actor blended so well that the critical response of the show was nothing but praise. Even fans of the original written version of the story were impressed.
Still, despite its good reviews, the show wasn’t that popular in the online environment. What was more popular was the fanbase’s Johnlock Conspiracy theory and the entire media buzzing.
Regardless of what type of fan you are, here’s where you should go in London:
- 221B Baker Street is where the Sherlock Home Museum is, along with a gift shop nearby. While it may not look like in the series, Sherlock’s home still strikes a chord. A statue of the character is also in the area;
- St. Bartholomew’s Hospital is a unique place because it’s where John and Sherlock met in the series. It’s also the place where Sherlock jumped off at the end of the third season, so it holds emotional importance;
- The Sherlock Holmes Pub is dedicated to the character, and you can find it on Northumberland Street. It has a lot of artworks representing the story and also a recreation of his study room;
London spots for music lovers
Besides being the place of massive fandoms, the UK has gifted us with incredible singers through time. Elton John, David Bowie, and Freddie Mercury were all British, and they reshaped the music industry by influencing future artists.
So, if you’re into music and are strolling around London, you should visit:
- The David Bowie Memorial in Brixton. The mural in Ferndale pays homage to the singer, who is accompanied by Alladin Sade. Heddon Street also reveals the cover of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
- Abbey Road is one of the most important spots for Beatles fans, as it was the place where their most popular album cover was shot. The street is packed with fans’ graffiti, so you can’t miss it;
- Hard Rock Café in London is the original enterprise under the name, where you can find instruments from famous names like Jimmi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Led Zeppelin. Due to its popularity, it takes some time to find a seat;
What do you think about these spots in London?
London is a great city for its impressive history, but what makes it great is the material for fan culture since many great shows were filmed here. Therefore, if you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you should visit the London Zoo, while Sherlockians must see St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. By far, music enthusiasts have a lot of places to see and visit since many popular British singers were originally from London.
