Regardless of what you’re a fan of, chances are you can find something relating to it when you visit the United Kingdom. London, in particular, is a veritable hub for dedicated fans, whether they love music, films or TV series. And since there are so many places to visit, you can be sure that you won’t enjoy the landmarks alone. Instead, you’re more likely to be joined by large numbers of your fellow fandom members, providing an excellent opportunity to socialize and meet new people.
Here are some of the most incredible places you can visit in the United Kingdom, depending on your fandom.
Stranger Things has already received cult status among fans who tuned in to watch every episode. The series, whose first season appeared in 2016, has become a Netflix flagship, attracting record viewership and causing a lot of hype within the fandom. It earned acclaim from critics for its likeable cast of characters, the writing and characterization, soundtrack and atmosphere, as well as the 1980s vibe that caused many to become nostalgic for the era, even in cases when they hadn’t even been born at the time.
As everyone loves Stranger Things, fans had the opportunity to enjoy many show-related experiences over the years. For instance, many enjoy collecting the Funko Pop vinyls featuring different versions of the same character, including Steve, Lucas, Mike, Robin, Eddie, Vecna and Jane/Eleven. Over the years, there. All fans have at least one of these figures on a shelf at home, and many are dedicated collectors.
Over the years, London has been home to many Stranger Things-related activities, including concerts featuring orchestral renditions of the soundtrack, collaborations with clothing brands such as Topshop, viewing parties, and a pop-up featuring limited experience editions for fans. Visitors could interact with the characters, explore renditions of locations featured in the show, enjoy themed food and drinks, take pictures in 80s-style booths, or with baddies such as the Demogorgon and Vecna. And, of course, many could take home exclusive merchandise.
While the experience has now left London, it’s bound to be replaced by something even greater once the fifth and final season is released.
The UK is the homeplace of some of the most popular bands and musicians in the world, such as The Beatles, Queen, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Oasis, Depeche Mode, Wham!, Judas Priest, Arctic Monkeys, Iron Maiden, Coldplay and Spice Girls. That’s why, if you’re a music lover who enjoys discovering new bands and uncovering hidden gems, there’s no better place to visit than the UK.
London is naturally a hotspot, offering many famous landmarks. The city hosts several festivals, including the Camden Rocks Festival, British Summer Time Hyde Park, Kaleidoscope in the Alexandra Palace Park and Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park. Regardless of which music genre you enjoy, London has something for you. You can also join several tours, such as the one visiting the David Bowie mural in Brixton inspired by the artist’s sixth studio album, Aladdin Sane. There is a Birthplace of The Rolling Stones Tour, where you can discover the origins of the band’s long standing career from on board a private psychedelic bus.
There’s also a Swinging 60s bus tour of London, during which you visit sites that helped launch artists such as The Kinks, Elton John and Jimi Hendrix. And, of course, no trip would be complete without visiting Abbey Road, the famous crossing in St John’s Wood, Greater London. The thoroughfare is well-known for featuring on The Beatles’ eleventh studio album of the same name.
There are numerous record shops in London, including:
Many films and series set in Britain feature London at least once. Harry Potter is arguably one of the most famous fictional characters in the world. Fans of the series, collectively referred to as Potterheads, have been fans of the fantasy series for years, growing up alongside the beloved characters. King’s Cross railway station is one of the series’ most iconic locations, where students board the Hogwarts Express at platform nine and three-quarters. Many fans visit it yearly, and you might have to wait in line to get a picture.
221B Baker Street is another famous location in London, recognized as the home of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Located in the City of Westminster, Baker Street features a Sherlock Holmes Museum, opened in 1990, located at a traditional address. However, the place didn’t exist back when the novels were written, and since the 1930s, the famous address has been integrated into a larger block of buildings.
The London Paddington Station is famous for the fans of Paddington Bear, the iconic children’s literature character. Named after the station where he was found, the station currently features a sculpture of the lovable bear under the clock on the first platform. You can also buy merchandise at the station, and there’s another statue of Paddington in Leicester Square, featuring him sitting on a bench and enjoying a marmalade sandwich.
These retail bookstores are any fan’s dream, as they feature a wide array of comic books, graphic novels, manga, video games, clothing and other collectibles. Many consider it the best store to be one of the best booksellers in the world, offering fans access to endless titles, from the most well-known to the more obscure. Regardless of the genre you enjoy, there’s definitely something for you here. The store is located on Shaftesbury Avenue, close to the Tottenham Court Road station.
If you’re deeply involved in fandom culture, there’s no better place to visit than London. Not only will you get involved with your fandom, but you might also join a few new ones.
