Side Hustleslow risk
London's Film Location Walking Tours: £35/Person Revenue
Lead specialized film location tours in London. £35/person, 15-person groups, targeting movie fans visiting iconic filming spots.
Last verified: 4/8/2026
Lead specialized film location tours in London. £35/person, 15-person groups, targeting movie fans visiting iconic filming spots.
Capital Required
$200–$1,000
Time Commitment
8–12 hrs/week
Skill Level
beginner
Risk Level
low
While generic London walking tours compete on price in an oversaturated market, there's a specific niche generating £35+ per person: film location tours targeting the massive international audience obsessed with British film and TV.
London hosts more international film productions than any European city, with over 2,400 filming days annually. The Harry Potter franchise alone generates £2.1 billion in UK tourism revenue. Yet most walking tours charge £15-20 for generic historical content, missing the premium audience willing to pay £35-40 to visit actual filming locations from their favorite movies and shows.
The Economics
A specialized film location tour operator running weekend tours can generate:
Startup costs remain minimal:
Why This Works Now
Three factors create this opportunity window:
Streaming boom: Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ have exploded international interest in British content. Bridgerton tourism increased Bath visits by 600%. The Crown generates constant London location interest.
Instagram culture: Tourists pay premium for 'experiences' they can photograph and share. Film location tours provide perfect Instagram moments at recognizable spots.
Post-pandemic tour evolution: Generic walking tours commoditized during COVID recovery. Specialized, themed experiences command higher prices as tourism returns.
The Specific Edge
Film location tours work because they solve a specific problem: international visitors know London from movies but can't identify the actual locations. A Notting Hill fan walking down Portobello Road doesn't know which blue door was Hugh Grant's. A Harry Potter fan at King's Cross can't find Platform 9¾ without help.
Your edge is curation and storytelling around specific filming details most guides don't know:
Execution Strategy
Start with one franchise and expand:
Phase 1: Harry Potter Tours (Highest Demand) Route: King's Cross → Leadenhall Market → Millennium Bridge → Borough Market → London Zoo → Piccadilly Circus Duration: 3 hours Price: £40/person Props: Hogwarts scarves for photos, chocolate frogs, location comparison cards
Phase 2: Add James Bond Tours
Route: MI6 Building → National Gallery → Somerset House → Lloyd's Building → Tower Bridge
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: £35/person
Props: Toy Aston Martin for photos, Bond trivia cards
Phase 3: Expand to TV Shows
Marketing Channels
TikTok/Instagram: Post 60-second location reveals showing "movie scene vs real location" comparisons. The algorithm favors before/after content.
Airbnb Experiences: List your tours here. Film location tours rank higher in search than generic walking tours.
Hotel partnerships: Boutique hotels near film locations will recommend specialized tours to guests who mention specific movies.
Fan communities: Reddit communities like r/harrypotter, r/JamesBond have 500K+ members who visit London.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Covering too many films in one tour Bad tours try to hit 8+ different movies in 2 hours. Good tours deep-dive into 2-3 films with rich storytelling and photo opportunities.
Mistake 2: Focusing on exterior shots only Many locations offer interior access if you call ahead. The Leadenhall Market shops used in Harry Potter will often let tour groups photograph inside for £10 tip.
Mistake 3: Ignoring seasonal demand patterns Harry Potter tours peak during school holidays. Bond tours peak around new movie releases. Adjust your schedule accordingly.
Mistake 4: Underestimating prop importance Tourists want photos that prove they were there. Bring Hogwarts scarves, Bond sunglasses, Bridgerton fans, or other recognizable props for photo ops.
Mistake 5: Not tracking new productions London films constantly. Subscribe to Mandy Network or ProductionHive to know what's filming where. New locations create tour opportunities.
Revenue Optimization
Premium add-ons:
Corporate bookings: Companies hire film location tours for team building. Corporate rate: £50/person, minimum 10 people.
Private group bookings: Families or friend groups pay £500+ for exclusive 2-hour tours.
Licensing and Legal Requirements
London requires tour guides to register with local councils. Cost: £150 annually. You need:
Filming locations are public spaces, but some require permission for commercial tours:
Scaling Without Hiring
Instead of hiring employees, partner with other specialists:
Seasonal Strategy
Peak season (May-September): Run 6-8 tours weekly across different themes Shoulder season (March-April, October-November): Focus on indoor filming locations, 4-5 tours weekly Low season (December-February): Christmas-themed film tours (Love Actually, A Christmas Carol locations), 2-3 tours weekly
Start This Week
Monday: Walk potential Harry Potter route timing each location. Download Citymapper and plan optimal tube connections between stops.
Tuesday: Create Instagram account posting one "filming location reveal" per day. Start building audience before launching tours.
Wednesday: Contact 5 boutique hotels near major filming locations. Offer £5 commission per tourist they refer.
Long-term Sustainability
This opportunity lasts as long as British film and TV remain globally popular, which appears permanent given streaming platform investments. The key is staying current with new productions and evolving your routes based on popular culture trends.
Monitor social media for trending shows, track new London filming announcements, and be ready to add new routes quickly when the next Bridgerton or Harry Potter phenomenon emerges.
Risk Assessment
Main risks are weather dependency and tourism seasonality. Mitigate by:
Get Licensed and Insured
Design Your Harry Potter Route
Source Props and Create Content
List on Airbnb Experiences
Partner with 3-5 Hotels
Launch and Optimize
You need a tour guide badge from your local council (£150 annually) and public liability insurance (£300/year). Most filming locations are public spaces requiring no special permits, though some like Borough Market prefer advance notice for groups over 15 people. Sky Garden requires free advance booking for group visits.
Most established companies run generic 'movie tours' covering 10+ films superficially. Your edge is specializing deeply in 1-2 franchises with insider filming details, props for photos, and routes optimized for Instagram-worthy shots. Charge £35-40 vs their £20-25 by providing premium experience.
Month 1: Build social media presence, get licensing. Month 2: Run first tours, gather reviews. Month 3: Optimize routes based on feedback. Month 4-6: Scale to 4 weekend tours consistently. Expect £1,500-2,000 monthly by month 3, reaching £3,000+ by month 6 with strong reviews and repeat customers.
Cap tours at 15 people for optimal experience and location access. For larger bookings, run back-to-back tours starting 30 minutes apart on the same route. Alternatively, partner with another certified guide and split revenue 70/30 (you keep 70% for providing the route and materials).
Harry Potter consistently generates highest demand year-round, followed by James Bond during new movie release periods. Bridgerton and The Crown peak during Netflix season releases. Start with Harry Potter for most reliable bookings, then add seasonal franchises based on current popular culture trends.