We don’t like… Actually! Locals from London mews made famous by festive films say their street is mobbed by selfie-loving fans and tours take place regularly
Residents of a London street made famous by the film Love Actually have said it is ‘annoying’ to live there because of the steady stream of tourists.
The street, 27 St Lukes Mews, Notting Hill, features in one of the most iconic scenes of the entire film.
It’s the moment when Mark (Andrew Lincoln) arrives at the flat of his best friend’s wife, Juliet (Keira Knightly), to declare his love for her.
He holds up signs and asks Juliet to “say it’s Christmas carols” at the door before the two share a kiss further down the street.
Residents say a steady stream of tourists can make life on the iconic street tedious
Jenny Hildreth, who lives in St Lukes Mews, where one of the houses featured in the film Love Actually
The street was featured in one of the most iconic scenes from the 2003 film, in which Andrew Lincoln revealed his eternal life to Keira Knightley’s character using a series of signs.
But residents of the upscale neighborhood, where homes can sell for millions, say they mostly like living there, but some say the regular attention from fans of the film can irritate.
The woman who lives in the pink building used for the playing card scene declined to give her name.
She said she knew nothing about the property’s past before purchasing it in 2006 and claims tourists even walked into her home.
She said: ‘I didn’t know the house in Love Actually was being used before I bought it in 2006.
“But now I get people banging on the door and walking in.”
‘I must have one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ houses in London.
“I get a lot of people doing tours to come see the house and they charge the fee.
‘I tried to make something good out of it and set up a charity box when people wanted to take a selfie.
Beaming: Keira Knightley pictured smiling from the front door of the pink house in Notting Hill
Some tourists have even brazenly walked into the house and even asked for coffee, thinking it was ‘Disney Land’
The street became quieter during the pandemic, but since lockdown restrictions have been lifted, tourists often wonder
‘It gets very frustrating when people look in through the window while I’m trying to work from home. It can get very annoying.
‘Once people asked me why there was no coffee for sale! People just think it’s Disneyland.”
Resident Jenny Hildreth, in her sixties, has lived next to the pink house for fifteen years.
She said the street is a wonderful place to live, but the amount of tourists who come can be frustrating
Jenny said: ‘It’s lovely living here, it’s absolutely wonderful. It’s so central and quiet, and also very beautiful. I’m very lucky to live here.
‘The Victorian architecture is beautiful. This is a really lively area with Portobello Road nearby and lots of nice cafes and markets. It’s quite artsy.
The street has Victorian architecture and a house could sell for several million pounds
Mark Neilson, 55, a business owner who lives on the street, said he has seen tourists looking through the windows
The street attracts tours and many people come just to take a photo for their Instagram
“You get a lot of people taking pictures of the house next door for Instagram. It can get a bit annoying.
“During the pandemic, this all stopped, it was quiet and no one came around. But lately you’ve been seeing groups of tourists passing by.’
Mark Neilson, 55, a business owner who lives on the street, said: ‘I honestly don’t mind all the tourists coming here to see the pink house – although I have seen a few people looking through the windows.
‘It seems that there are also quite a few Spanish tourist groups passing by.
‘I only moved here two months ago, so I didn’t know Love Actually was filmed here – but I’m a big fan of the film!’
Joanna Stepp, 35, who works in marketing and has been living on the streets with her boyfriend for two and a half years, said: ‘This is a great community with great neighbours.
‘It’s generally very calm and peaceful, but every week we get to see lots of tourist groups and tours of the pink house.
‘It seems to be a Spanish tour, so I think Love Actually must be very popular in Spain – which I didn’t know!
“I love Love Actually, but my favorite Christmas movie of all time has to be The Holiday.”