Film and TV buffs, this one’s for you
This summer, staycations are hotter than ever – both literally and figuratively. When traveling the UK, even if you’ve journeyed the length of the country, it can be easy to feel like you haven’t ventured far enough. For an otherworldly experience, many Brits are visiting TV and movie filming locations to add a magical edge to their staycations this summer – three in four, according to new research by Europcar, after half of Brits have opted to stay on UK soil for their summer holidays for ease and to avoid disappointment and stress. From homely soaps to Hollywood blockbusters, a range of titles on our TV and cinema screens were filmed in the UK, so there’s plenty to see and do, perhaps with the kids in tow. If you are keen to sprinkle some TV magic into your staycations this year, these are the best film and TV sets in the UK to visit this summer.
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Best Film and TV Sets to Visit on a UK Staycation
Harry Potter: Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Millions of tourists flock to the UK every year to visit the filming locations of our most famous literary export, Harry Potter. Though filming locations are scattered across the UK – from Christ Church College in Oxford to Durham Cathedral – Alnwick Castle is one of the most iconic, serving as the spot where Harry and Ron crashed their flying car in Chamber of Secrets and where Harry learned to fly on a broom stick in Philosopher’s Stone and you can now have a go at this yourself at Alnwick Castle).
Kill a few birds with one stone: Alnwick Castle has also played host to Transformers, Robin Hood and Downton Abbey. alnwickcastle.com
The Batman: Liverpool
In Matt Reeves’ 2022 The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role, the fictional Gotham City is an amalgamation of London, Glasgow, Chicago, and Liverpool. The latter, perhaps a seemingly unlikely contender, has a plethora of gothic and neo-classical buildings that suit Reeves’ interpretation of the dark city. If you fancy a northern staycation in Liverpool, make sure to stop by St George’s Hall, the Royal Liver Building (the UK’s first skyscraper), Anfield Cemetery, Wellington Memorial Statue, County Sessions House and Walker Art Gallery to soak up the Hollywood magic. visitliverpool.com
Bridget Jones: Borough Market, London
Borough Market is a London tourism must anyway, but romcom fans might enjoy this extra tidbit: much of Bridget Jones was filmed here. Bridget’s flat is above popular pub, The Globe, and the shops across the road – which were transformed into the cab office, the newsagent and the fictitious ‘Greek restaurant’ where Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) fight it out during a birthday party – still remain. (The Greek restaurant is now a wine merchant, Bedales).
Take a trip to the nearby Tate Modern, too, where Bridget and her friends hang out (and to absorb some culture, of course). boroughmarket.org.uk
Bridgerton: Bath
Set in the Regency era, Bath – a Somerset city seemingly frozen in Regency era beauty – is the perfect filming location for Bridgerton. This small city is quick and easy to explore, but must-sees (for Bridgerton fans and more generally) include The Royal Crescent, Abbey Green, and The Assembly Rooms. visitbath.co.uk
Game of Thrones: Northern Ireland
This HBO blockbuster was filmed in destinations across the globe, from Croatia to Iceland, Greece to Malta. However, the rugged beauty of Northern Ireland served the show well, with much filming taking place here. There are iconic sites aplenty: Tollymore Forest Park served as The Haunted Forest, Cushendun Caves served as The Stormlands, and Dulince Castle served as House Greyjoy’s castle. Most iconic – and most Instagrammable – has to be The Dark Hedges, which is the filming location for The King’s Road. Always intended to impress, the trees were planted by the Stuart family in the approach to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House.
Doc Martin: Port Isaac, Cornwall
In 2004, ITV’s Doc Martin put Cornwall’s quaint Port Isaac – fictionalised as Portwenn – on the map. There’s plenty to do near the pretty Celtic pier once you’ve soaked up Martin Clune’s energy at Doc Martin’s front door: stroll through the narrow streets, visit the cosy restaurants, amble the South West Coastal Path, and have a paddle in the sea. stayincornwall.co.uk
About Time: Portloe, Cornwall
What is it about Cornish fishing villages that set our wanderlust alight? Romantic comedy fans, you might remember this filming location as the most idyllic family home ever: Porthpean House in Richard Curtis’ About Time (2013), which overlooks St Austell Bay (and which you can book to stay in). Much of the movie was also filmed in the nearby Portloe, a small and idyllic fishing village on Cornwall’s east coast.
MORE FILMING LOCATIONS
The Crown / House of Gucci / Where the Crawdads Sing / Persuasion / Peaky Blinders
Featured image: Albert Dock, Liverpool (via Getty).
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