While “Only Fools and Horses” is set primarily in Peckham, the beloved British sitcom was filmed across numerous London locations that fans can still visit today.
Peckham may be its heart, but Only Fools and Horses scattered its comedy gold across London’s real streets.
The iconic Nelson Mandela House, home to the Trotter family, was actually Harlech Tower in Acton during the early years of filming from 1981-1988. Later, from 1989 onwards, Whitemead House in Bristol took over as the exterior location, situated near Ashton Gate stadium.
The famous Nag’s Head pub, central to many storylines, can be found at 73 White Lion Street in Islington. With coordinates 51.532955, -0.109198, this location featured prominently in the episode “It Never Rains” and remains a key stop on the 40-location London tour highlighting the show’s 1981 debut.
Ravenscourt Park in West London served as the filming site where Rodney captured a butterfly in a memorable episode. Located at coordinates 51.497736, -0.239052, the park also features the pond where Denzel went skating, though signs now prohibit entry to this specific area.
Shadwell Basin in East London’s Docklands appears in “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Uncle,” where Albert runs away. This waterfront location at London E1W 3RY demonstrates how the production utilized diverse London exteriors beyond the fictional Peckham setting.
The climactic scene where Del and Rodney become millionaires was filmed at Sotheby’s Cafe on New Bond Street. This auction house, found at coordinates 51.511811, -0.143810, is where the Harrison Lesser Watch sold for £6.2 million in “Time On Our Hands,” an episode that attracted 24.35 million viewers.
Additional significant locations include the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden, featured in “A Royal Flush,” 23 Highgate Road in Camden for early scenes, and Waterloo Train Station, where Del first meets Raquel. Auntie Rose’s Cottage, featured in the “Second Time Around” episode, showcases the comedic misunderstandings that drove much of the show’s family-centered humor. The show featured a total of 64 episodes throughout its impressive run, showcasing the comedic talents of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Chapel Street Market in north London hosted some of the very earliest episodes, helping establish the show’s authentic London character. The series achieved slow initial success before evolving into one of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms with consistently high ratings.
