Lights, Camera, Action – Film Tour at the UK’s Most Filmed Heritage Location
If you’ve ever visited the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, admired the famous Painted Hall or the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, you might have never thought how many A-list actors and legendary directors have stood at the very same spot as you’re standing now.
The Old Royal Naval College is inviting you for a journey behind the scenes of your favourite series and blockbusters.
Film Tour: Wigs, Weddings, Powder and Places
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Ever wondered where the iconic scenes of your favourite films and TV series were filmed? Ever wanted to step behind the scenes and walk in the footsteps of your favourite actors or characters?
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Celebrating 100 years of British filmmaking, the Old Royal Naval College launched a one-of-a-kind guided walking tour at the UK’s no. 1 heritage film location spotlighting productions from Romance, Royalty and Period Drama genres, including Bridgerton, The Cown and Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
The intimate tour lasts about 1hour 15 minutes and your ‘film aficionado’ guide will show you the very spots filming were taken place, share secrets and mind-blowing facts about filmmaking throughout the tour.
100 Years, Over 200 Films & TV Series
The Painted Hall
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2025 marked 100 years since the Old Royal Naval College first appeared on screen in the Sons of the Sea. A film tells a story about two men joining the Royal Navy.
The Crown TV series
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Here’s the extensive whole list of films shot at the Old Royal Naval College.
The Duchess (2008) starring Keira Knightley
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Since then, it has featured over 200 films and TV shows, with such directors and actors like Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, and Chris Hemsworth, just to name a few.
Iconic scene from the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) starring Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow
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You probably remember the iconic scene from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) when Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was dragged across the Painted Hall to meet King George II, before swinging on an enormous chandelier and break the window to escape from being prisoned.
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As part of the escape, Sparrow is seen on the Collage Way on the top of a carriage, then slides inside the carriage next to an elderly lady (played by Dame Judy Dench).
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When filming the risky scene where Sparrow is balancing on the top of two carriages, five Johnny Depp body doubles were used.
Jurassic World: Rebirth’s (2025) opening shot – which strongly resembles the iconic ending scene of Jurassic Park (1993) – was also filmed in the Painted Hall featuring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey.
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During filming Les Misérables at the Old Royal Naval College, a couple was getting married nearby and took their wedding photos with the film set featuring a replica of the Elephant of the Bastille front and centre.
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Fun fact: the set is now providing shelter for a family of woodpeckers in Cameron Mackintosh’s back garden.
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Talking about weddings, Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s wedding scene was also filmed here. The iconic scene was shot in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul.
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Intense battle scenes were shot for Napoleon (2023) – directed by Ridley Scott – in the Painted Hall. The film was praised for its spectacular visuals and earned Academy Award nominations for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects categories.
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Another intense battle scene was filmed outside of the building for Thor: The Dark World (2013) when an alien spaceship lands there.
The various heavy film sets had an impact on the grass and when Quenn Elizabeth II visited the venue in 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebration. She could probably smell the drying green paint the staff painted the grass to hide the impacts of the film sets of the grass.
If you’re interested in mystery, adventure, superhero and spy films, the Old Royal Naval College has a separate covering those genres. The tour is called, Film Tour: Spies, Sleuths and Superheroes and it covers titles, such as Doctor Strange, Skyfall, The Dark Knight and Sherlock Holmes, just to name a few.
Learn Fan Etiquette and Bring Home a Complementary Fan
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Inspired by the elegance of Bridgerton, the tour includes a fun and interactive fan etiquette training. During the 15-minute training, you’ll channel your inner 18th-century aristocrat and learn the basics of the hand fan etiquette and its secret meanings.
At the end of the session, you’ll take home a commemorative fan.
Crown Your Experience with a Classic British Afternoon Tea with a Film Twist
The Undercroft
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Crown your film tour with a 100 Years of Film Afternoon Tea.
The afternoon tea is served in the Undercroft which is often used as a green room for famous actors on set.
Enjoy a selection of delicate sandwiches, homemade scones, cakes and other sweet treats – all with a cinematic twist.
Practical Info
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Address
Old Royal Naval College | London SE10 9NN
The tour starts at the Visitor Centre.
(Nearest station is Cutty Sark | DLR)
Booking
The tour runs every Saturday from 11:30am & 1:30pm
The tour is 1 hour 15 minutes long.
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