Love watching movies and TV and would love to experience the stunning locations in real life? Well, you can! The United Kingdom is known for its numerous filming locations that have been featured in various movies and TV Shows. Here are some famous filming locations you can visit in the UK.
Hogwarts Castle (Alnwick Castle, Northumberland)
This stunning castle served as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films. Several of the exterior scenes as well as the famous scene where Harry and his fellow first-year students learn how to fly for the first time are all filmed on the grounds of this beautiful castle.
Platform 9 ¾ (King’s Cross Station, London)
Harry Potter fans can visit the iconic Platform 9 ¾, where the Hogwarts Express departs from. You can take a photo pushing a trolley through the magical wall.
Highclere Castle (Hampshire)
This grand estate was used as the main filming location for the popular TV series “Downtown Abbey”. Visitors can explore the beautiful interiors and gardens. The house is a fascinating place with a fascinating history. The house was designed by Charles Barry and the park by the famous Capability Brown. It is an accessory home to the Earl of Carnarvon since the late 17th Century and in the 1920s was home to a collection of Egyptian artifacts by the 5th Earl who accompanied Howard Carter on his excavations to the Valley of the Kings.
Nowadays the house is most famous for being Downton Abbey and was used for the famous exterior shots as well as several bedrooms and the great hall being used for filming as well. The property regularly opens its doors to the public throughout the year and makes a great day out.
Castle Ward (County Down, Northern Ireland)
Known as Winterfell in the TV series Game of Thrones, this castle and its surrounding grounds offer guided tours and immersive experiences for fans of the show. Now part of the National Trust in Northern Ireland, guests can explore the 18th-century mansion, explore one of several trails, and explore the famous clock tower and farmyard used for filming.
Glenfinnan Viaduct (Scottish Highlands)
This iconic railway viaduct was showcased in the Harry Potter movies as the route taken by the Hogwarts Express. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the viaduct and surrounding scenery. The viaduct was used multiple times throughout the film series and is spectacular to see in person. Whilst you can choose to explore this area on a train, the best views of the viaduct will be on foot. For the best picture opportunities, talk about a lovely wall in the hills that surround the viaduct. Whichever method of transport you use, it is a great place to explore.
Haworth, Yorkshire
Haworth is often visited by tourists to explore the home of the Bronte sisters. Their family home at the parsonage and the surrounding landscape have been used to film programmes about the Bronte’s but Haworth is always where the classic 1970 film “The Railway Children” was said. The village is extremely picturesque and is a great day out. If you are a fan of film, head to Oakworth station a couple of miles from Haworth where the emotional station scenes were filmed.
Shere, Surrey
You may not have heard of the village called Shere in Surrey before but you may have seen it on the big screen. Scenes in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The Wedding Date, and The Holiday have been filmed in this beautiful village. Not only may you recognise the church from Bridget Jones and village scenes in The Holiday, but you can also explore the quaint village by visiting the lovely shops, going on one of the many walks around the village and surrounding countryside, and ending the day with a trip to one of the village’s charming pubs. For a quintessentially English day out, head here.
Lacock, Wiltshire
The village of Lacock in Wiltshire is owned almost entirely by the National Trust and is a great place to visit as the quintessential English village has barely changed in 200 years which is why it makes the perfect filming location. From Cranford and Pride and Prejudice to Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, this village is a beautiful place to explore when you are visiting the Cotswolds. The streets are lined with timber-framed houses and visitors will feel like they have stepped back in time as they explore the beautiful independent shops.
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Made famous on the screen in the 2005 film “Pride and Prejudice” starring Keira Knightley, Chatsworth is the home of Mr Darcy. Located in Derbyshire, it is one of the grandest houses in England and is the home to The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. There is so much for visitors to explore beyond seeing the locations that were used on film. There are beautiful art installations, fantastic places to dine, and stunning walks to explore the beauty of the Peak District.
Castle Howard, North Yorkshire
Castle Howard has been frequently used as a filming location but it is most famous for being used as the house in “Brideshead Revisited” in the 1981 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited starring Jeremy Irons. Castle Howard was so synonymous with the film that it was used again in the 2008 version too!
Botallack Mine, St Just, Cornwall
The stunning Cornish scenery was showcased in the BBC drama “Poldark” with the Botallack Mine being a key filming location. The abandoned buildings here are now owned by the National Trust and act as a monument to the local region’s rich mining history dating back to the 19th Century.
No matter where you are in the UK, you will never be too far away from a fantastic filming location. Being able to see for yourself where these famous movies and TV shows were filmed makes you appreciate them even more and often makes a great day out and a brilliant way to explore the country.
