Edward Biddulph, The James Bond Lover's Guide to Britain, Pen & Sword | White Owl, October 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Guides to travelling around Britain with a purpose are always attractive and The James Bond Lover's Guide to Britain is abundantly so. Following James Bond resonates with suggestions of spies, drama, duplicity, and death, and in his discussion of the films as well as the locations Edward Biddulph has imbued his guide with enough of the James Bond aura to tempt Bond enthusiasts. He makes the point that there are over 150 Bond related British sites, including principal locations as well as stand ins for overseas settings, in almost all Bond films and Ian Fleming’s novels. A surprising thought, and one which adds to the enticing nature of this guide. However, the guide could also appeal to those who are just keen to give their travels a focus and, as Biddulph tells it, Bond is a figure who can carry readers all over Britain. To travel with a purpose from Scotland to Cornwall is an intriguing prospect enhanced by Biddulph’s archaeological investigation of the sites, maps and archives that provide historical information about where Bond ventured in a rather different landscape from the modern one that readers will follow. Further, for the person who is not necessarily a huge Bond fan Biddulph shows that many of the Bond sites coincide with those that any tourist may want to visit – restaurants, historic houses, museums, and other attractions. He states that the book reflects his interests of history, archaeology, and cuisine – some universal interests there!

The book covers sites in London, Westminster; and more of London; the East, South, South-East and South-East; Midlands and the North, Wales, and Scotland. There are listings of James Bond films and books; a bibliography and further reading. There are photos, taken by the author in most instances. Biddulph explains how to access sites – usually they are accessible by car, some requiring a short walk. He also acknowledges the tourist using public transport and has endeavoured to provide information that can be followed up by such travellers. Warning to check on opening times is always useful advice – many years ago I recall trekking to a manor house in the sleet and finding it closed for winter. And having lived in Westminster at one time, how I wish I had this guide to some of the sites there.
The writing is engaging and broad enough to interest even those who do not initially see Bond as a travel guide. The information is enticing enough to make this change. For the Bond fan, the book is a hive of information that immediately engages, instructs, and inspires adoption of a road trip Biddulph style. Even the bother of looking up timetables and routes for travel by public transport seems worthwhile after reading The James Bond Lover's Guide to Britain.

This is a title that works at a couple of levels. If you’re a Bond fan, it’s a fascinating guide to UK locations which feature in Bond films. The films are listed and the locations are set out by country and county, with references to locate the places. If your travelling, it’s an ideal companion to take you to places you may not have thought about as a place of interest and I was surprised to discover a number of locations I didn’t know had Bond connections. It’s packed with photos and pictures and there’s a wealth of Bond related information for the film buff. I’ve found it interesting to read without actually travelling and it’s proved relaxing and informed. I’ve noted a few places if interest next time I’m out and about and will certainly take a physical look at the locations. I enjoyed this mini travelogue and my thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.