UK Locations That Inspired Disney Films (& How To Visit)

Ancient standing stones on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Scottish Western Isles.

UK Locations That Inspired Disney Films (& How To Visit)
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UK Locations That Inspired Disney Films (& How To Visit)

By Olivia Emily

8 months ago

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UK Locations That Inspired Disney Films (& How To Visit)

Ever dreamt of climbing into the screen and living inside a Disney movie, Enchanted style? Well, as Cinderella taught us, ‘If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true’… Almost. To celebrate its centenary, Disney has revealed the locations that inspired – and are seen in – some of its most famous films, including eight UK locations. Visit these supercalifragilisticexpialidocious locations to soak up all the Disney vibes.

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UK Locations That Inspired Disney Films (& How To Visit)

Side by side: Disney film Alice in Wonderland and Great Fosters

Side by side: Disney's Brave x Calanais Standing Stones

Calanais Standing Stones, Stornoway

Film: Brave (2012)

The team behind 2012’s iconic Scottish animated film has cited Stornoway’s ancient Calanais Standing Stones as inspiration for the stones that appear in Brave. An important ritualistic area that dates back 5,000 years, the stones play a pivotal role and backdrop many of the film’s scenes, including the moment Merida discovers them.

Visit: This historic site is free to visit, once you’ve trekked up to the Isle of Lewis. Learn more herehere.

12m west of Stornoway off the A859 Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY

St Paul’s Cathedral

Film: Mary Poppins (1964)

The iconic St Paul’s Cathedral appears on multiple occasions in Mary Poppins, from Mary Poppins flying over the skyline to Mr Banks taking the kids to work, to seeing the lady feed the birds right outside. The latter is when the iconic ‘Feed The Birds’ song commences, a poignant pocket of compassion and charity amid the bustling city.

Visit: It’s easy to see the exterior of St Paul’s from most vantage points in London due to protected views – and you can also travel into the City to get up close and personal. If you’d like to step inside, you can attend one of the daily services for free, or book a sightseeing tour. stpauls.co.uk

St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD

Ashdown Forest

Film: Winnie the Pooh (franchise)

Winnie the Pooh and his friends live – and embark on their whimsical adventures – in Hundred Acre Woods. The original writer and creator of Pooh, A. A. Milne, used to take his son Christopher Robin for walks in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, which ultimately inspired the setting for his stories. With its picturesque landscapes – from open heathland to ancient woodland to rolling hills – Milne’s enchanting setting is immediately clear.

Visit: A popular location with Pooh fans, visit to play Pooh Sticks and visit Pooh Corner.

Wych Cross, Forest Row RH18 5JP

Regent’s Park

Film: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

London’s most regal of parks, Regent’s Park, is where Pongo and Perdita first meet in 1961’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians. While it is, admittedly, a cartoon, the magic lives on in the real park, which stretches 410 acres, stretching from Marylebone in the southwest corner to Camden in the northeast corner, just nudging Primrose Hill.

Visit: Regent’s Park is open year round and makes for a great lakeside walk – or catch a show at the open air theatre in the summer.

London SW1A 0AA

Side by side: Disney's Cruella x Liberty

Liberty London

Film: Cruella (2021)

London’s iconic Tudor revival department store plays a key role in 2021’s Cruella: it’s where the titular villain works. An aspiring fashion designer, Cruella catches the eye of the fashion world with her innovative designs. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Visit: Liberty London is located in the heart of London and open every day.

Regent Street, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH

Side by side: Disney's Avengers Engame x St Abbs Village

St. Abbs, Berwickshire

Film: Avengers: Endgame (2019)

After the war in Avengers: Endgame, Thor and the remaining Asgardians retreat to a picturesque village called ‘New Asgard’. The real filming location is St. Abbs in Berwickshire, which can trace its roots back to the 18th century.

Visit: This popular destination with Marvel fans readily welcomes visitors. You’ll find it on the southeast coast of Scotland, just north of the English border.

Scotland

Big Ben

Film: Peter Pan (1953)

Big Ben shows his face in plenty of Disney films as a London scene-setter. Perhaps the most iconic clocktower appearance is in Peter Pan as Peter and the Darling children swoop across the London skyline on their way to NeverLand.

Visit: Big Ben towers over Westminster and Westminster Bridge – you very literally cannot miss it. Plus, after a recent facelift, the gothic clock tower is back in all of its glory. You can even go inside and climb to the top to hear the bong if you’d like.

London SW1A 0AA

Great Fosters

Film: Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Alice famously gets lost in a topiary maze in Alice in Wonderland, and it is thought that Walt Disney himself was inspired by a 1935 trip to Great Fosters. This Tudor mansion house is thought to have been a Royal Hunting Lodge for King Henry VIII and later Queen Elizabeth I, and is home to a real topiary maze.

Visit: Great Fosters is now a luxurious hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant that oozes Royal historical charm. Head to the knot garden to see manicured hedges and the famous topiary, with a sundial dating back to 1585 in the middle of it all. alexanderhotels.co.uk

Stroude Road, Egham TW20 9UR

Images courtesy of Disney.