This map plots the settings and references in Bridget Jones's Diary
To start exploring, click a red pin
Grafton Underwood - Credit:
Kokai
Bridget hails from the tiny village of Grafton Underwood in Northamptonshire.
Grafton Underwood was designated a conservation area in 1977. During World War II, it was home to an 8th US Army Air Force base. Its population is approximately 130 residents. Most are aged between 45 and 60, live in detached houses or cottages, and have adult children. The newspaper of choice is reported to be the Daily Telegraph.
The county of Northamptonshire, or 'England's Pancreas', has a population of approximately 630,000 (2001). The largest town is Northampton.
Northamptonshire
Palace of Westminster - Credit:
David Iliff
The exact location of Bridget's one bedroom flat in London is never revealed, although she does refer to her street as "the kind that still has 'Free Nelson Mandela' posters in the windows", suggesting that it's not a terribly fashionable location.
The City - Credit:
Mewiki, Wikimedia
London is the capital of the UK. When the book was published in 1996, approximately 6,829,300 people lived there; by 2005, this figure had risen to 9,332,000. Around 30% of the population are foreign born, speaking more than 300 languages.
Straddling both sides of the River Thames, Greater London is divided into 32 boroughs. These surround the square mile known as the City, which was founded by the Romans and is now the largest central business and financial district in Europe, with a daily working population of around 300,000. The "Tube", London's underground rail network, is one of the largest in the world.
Buckingham Palace - Credit:
on_dit, Wikimedia
London also leads the world in culture, arts, fashion and media. Bridget's publishing house is one of many headquartered in the capital. The impressive array of historical buildings (Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London), iconic museums and galleries and the huge variety of bars, clubs and restaurants make London a great place to live and visit.
In the days before DVD players became standard issue, we had to rely on video recorders. Even the most basic models proved horribly complicated to operate, and anything more advanced than pressing play or record was beyond the ability of most.
Bangor University, where Bridget studied, is situated in North Wales.
Srebrenica Massacre Graves - Credit:
Michael Büker
The Bosnian War followed the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991, when four republics - Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina - made declarations of independence. The Bosnian declaration was made by the Muslim majority, and Orthodox Serbians living in Bosnia & Herzegovina rebelled against it. Fighting broke out and, supported by Serbian troops, the Bosnian Serbs took control of a number of areas, subjecting them to a programme of ethnic cleansing.
In July 1995, more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered in Srebrenica by the Bosnian Serb Army. The town was meant to be a "safe area" under UN protection, but the 400 Dutch peacekeepers stationed there were unable to prevent the massacre.
Holland Park - Credit:
Esteban
On the "other side of Holland Park Avenue" lies Holland Park itself, home to an opera company, a troupe of peacocks and a rather fine orangery. This is the heart of Kensington, a very smart and pleasant part of London.
The late Harold Pinter was a much admired English playwright and actor.
The Royal Courts of Justice - Credit:
Anthony M., Flickr
Dealing mainly with high-profile libel and civil liability cases, the High Court of Justice is a civil court situated within the Royal Courts on the Strand in London, with district registries throughout the country. Most cases are heard by a single judge with no jury.
Criminal cases are heard by the Crown Court.
PACT stands for the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television.
The Groucho Club is an elite members club in Soho, a popular haunt of high-profile artists, celebrities and media figures.
Oxford Street at Christmas - Credit:
Chris Eason
Comprising over 300 shops, Oxford Street is a mile and a half long, the busiest shopping area in Europe. The pavements rage with shoppers all year round, but are especially hazardous at Christmas.
Going over the top
"Going over the top" in the First World War meant leaving the trenches to crawl across the area known as "no man's land" and attack the enemy through a hail of machine gun fire.
Hintlesham Hall - Credit:
Bob Jones
Hintlesham Hall is a luxury country hotel in Ipswich, Suffolk, a very suitable venue for lavish lunches and long-awaited bunk-ups.
Funchal - Credit: