Remember, remember, the 5th of November.
Any cinephiles worth their salt will complete not only the rhyme but the very verbose verbiage uttered by the veritably virtuous and villainous V at the start of the film.
V for Vendetta is nearly 20 years old yet it’s made such an impression on both cinema and society that we still see the iconic Guy Fox (or Guy Fawkes, as Brits spell it) masks worn to this day.
Quite appropriately, the film was shot on location at some of London’s most popular sites. Whether you’re a film buff or just a casual fan, check out these V for Vendetta filming locations in London.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Scott E Barbour. Image Location: Palace of Westminster, London
V for valuable info: What to know about Guy Fawkes, V for Vendetta, and London’s filming locations
Is the V for Vendetta story based on a real event?
V for Vendetta’s movie is based on the graphic novel of the same name published in the 1980s. It’s straight science fiction: a yarn spun musing upon a future London ruled by a fascist totalitarian regime. The story does borrow inspiration from history, including the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 that took place in London’s Houses of Parliament.
Who is Guy Fawkes and why is there a Guy Fawkes Day?
Guy Fawkes Day, aka Guy Fawkes Night, aka Bonfire Night, was formerly known as just the 4th and 5th of November in 1605. On this night, a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes conspired to blow up Parliament and assassinate the Protestant King James I. The plot failed, Fawkes was tortured in the Tower of London before his execution in Westminster, and Guy Fawkes Night became an annual celebration to commemorate the foiled plot.
Is V for Vendetta in Britain?
Yes, V for Vendetta was filmed and set in Britain, specifically, London, England. England, Scotland, and Wales make up Great Britain. Some scenes from V for Vendetta were set in Britain but filmed in Potsdam and Berlin, Germany.
What buildings are in V for Vendetta?
London’s architecture is cast quite well in V for Vendetta. You’ll stop a number of the city’s facades including the Hatfield House, Big Ben, Central Criminal Court, and the Palace of Westminster.
What building is destroyed in V for Vendetta?
Without getting too much into spoiler territory with the why, how, and when, there are multiple buildings destroyed in V for Vendetta, with the first being the Central Criminal Court, aka the Old Bailey, at the start of the film. But if you must have a hint, a world famous landmark and seat of British government plays a starring role at the climax of the film.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Julian Elliott Photography. Image Location: Parliament Square, London
Where was V for Vendetta filmed? UK filming locations
As with a great many films, some like Mission: Impossible were filmed on location while others like Harry Potter set some scenes on location though the crux of actual filming took place “on location” on a soundstage.
V for Vendetta was much of the same, with many scenes filmed in soundstages and constructed sets—which is probably for the best, considering the amount of explosions in the finished film. Still, the cinematographers were kind enough to give the real London some love when they weren’t blowing it to smithereens.
Here are a few V for Vendetta London filming locations you can visit with ease:
Parliament Square
Closest station: Westminster
You’ll see the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding area at the climax of the film. In fact, filming shut down the entire surrounding area from Whitehall and Trafalgar Square to Parliament and Big Ben. That’s a pretty impressive feat when you consider there are extremely few exceptions that allow permits for filming. It took the crew a rumored nine months to negotiate and secure the permits for such a security-sensitive area.
Image Credit: Getty Images, David Williams. Image Location: Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London
Central Criminal Court
Closest station: City Thameslink | St. Paul’s
V for Vendetta begins with a bang: the destruction of the Central Criminal Court, or Old Bailey, as it’s known. Its nickname derives from its street address, and this central London Crown Court of England and Wales is still in use today. Feel free to take a tour in its public galleries when you visit.
Aldwych Tube Station
Closest station: Temple | Covent Garden
The London Underground gets its share of time on the silver screen and one of the more unique pieces of trivia is that it’s a real Underground station that is no longer in service. The Aldwych tube station opened in 1907 and closed nearly a century later in 1993. You can visit the station on a guided tour.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Wyco. Image Location: Aldwych Station, London
Looking for train tickets into London?
Visiting London for the 5th of November, to find your favorite filming locations, or just for fun? Download the Trainline app and let us help you get from Heathrow Airport to downtown London.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, oversnap. Image Location: Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, London