The Golden TypewriterReal and fictional places in the Bond books
Most Bond books are set in real cities you can visit, but some key places, such as Royale-les-Eaux and Crab Key, are invented. Below are the book locations, then the places connected with Fleming himself.
Places in the books
| Place | Main book | What happens there | Can you visit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royale-les-Eaux, France Fictional | Casino Royale | The casino resort of the first book. | Fictional: there is no real casino to visit. |
| Harlem, New York City | Live and Let Die | Bond's inquiry into Mr Big begins here. | A public neighbourhood; no specific venue from the book is confirmed. |
| Florida, USA | Live and Let Die | Travel and investigation in two books, including Goldfinger. | Yes, as a state; no book-specific addresses. |
| London | Moonraker | Headquarters, clubs and departures across the series. | Yes, though the clubs and offices in the books may be invented or private. |
| The Kent coast | Moonraker | Home of the Moonraker missile base. | The coast, yes; the base is fictional. |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | Diamonds Are Forever | Casinos at the end of the diamond pipeline; also a Thrilling Cities chapter. | Yes; check any historic venue individually. |
| Istanbul, Türkiye | From Russia with Love | Where Bond meets his contacts before the train journey. | Yes. |
| The Orient Express route | From Russia with Love | The tense train journey across Europe. | The historic route no longer runs as the same service; today's trains need checking separately. |
| Jamaica and Kingston | Dr. No | The setting for three novels and a short story. | Yes; the private estates in the books are not attractions. |
| Crab Key, Jamaica Fictional | Dr. No | Dr No's guarded island. | Fictional. |
| Nassau, the Bahamas | Thunderball | The search for the missing weapons. | Yes; private yachts and waters are not open to visitors. |
| The Swiss Alps | On Her Majesty's Secret Service | Bond follows Blofeld to a mountain clinic. | Resorts and trails, yes; the clinic is fictional. |
| Tokyo and the Japanese coast | You Only Live Twice | Diplomacy in Tokyo and a mission on the coast. | Yes; the castle is fictional. |
| Berlin | Octopussy and The Living Daylights | The setting of "The Living Daylights" and a Thrilling Cities chapter. | Yes; the Cold War city Fleming described has changed completely. |
Places from Fleming's life
22 Ebury Street, Belgravia, London
An English Heritage blue plaque marks Fleming's former home at 22 Ebury Street, SW1W 8LW. It is a private building, so view the plaque from the pavement. It is not his birthplace.
Goldeneye, Oracabessa, Jamaica
Fleming's Jamaican house and writing retreat is now a resort, and visits depend on the resort's booking and access rules. Ian Fleming Publications says visitors can see his writing corner and a recreation of his desk. The original golden typewriter is not on display there.
St James' Churchyard, Sevenhampton, Wiltshire
Fleming is buried at Sevenhampton near Swindon, in Wiltshire. There is another Sevenhampton in Gloucestershire, which is not the right place. Check visiting arrangements locally before you go.
The British Library, London
The library at 96 Euston Road holds Fleming papers and letters. They can be consulted under reading-room rules; they are not a permanent exhibition.
The Lilly Library, Indiana University, USA
The Lilly Library in Bloomington holds Fleming's own rare-book collection and corrected Bond typescripts, available to readers under its reading-room rules.
Sources
- English Heritage: Ian Fleming blue plaqueConfirmed
- Ian Fleming Publications: FAQsConfirmed
- GoldenEye resortConfirmed
- Sevenhampton Parish (Gloucestershire): Ian Fleming is not buried hereReported
- British Library: archive catalogueConfirmed
- Indiana University Libraries: Ian Fleming, bibliophileConfirmed
- Ian Fleming Publications: bibliographyConfirmed