Not all movies are filmed behind a closed set, quite a few big budget movies are shot on-location in spectacular parts of Britain and visiting these locations can be a fantastic way to explore different areas of the UK and uncover the movie magic.
We’ve created an interactive map of 19 must-visit film locations and backdrops used for the silver screen. So, this summer, you might want to try adding these film locations to your holiday list.
Click the pin drops to discover which movies were filmed where.
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<iframe src="https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/movie-infographic/index.html" width="100%" height="1200px"></iframe>East Anglia and The City of London
In East Anglia and across the city of London, there are five iconic film locations to visit.
Love Actually, 2003, Selfridges Department Store, London
The scene in Love Actually where Alan Rickman attempts to purchase a flashy necklace for his secretary, which has to be specially gift-wrapped by Rowan Atkinson, was shot at Selfridges, the famous department store in London
Goldeneye, 1995, Somerset House, London
For any James Bond fans, you’ll want to check out Somerset House in London where the courtyard was used in Goldeneye (1995).
Paddington Bear, 2014, Paddington Station, London
Paddington Station, the fun-loving bear’s namesake, features in the film adaptation of the much-loved children’s book.
The Woman in Black, 2012: Osea Island, Essex
The fictional Nine Lives Causeway leading to the haunted house inhabited by The Woman in Black, is cut off by the sea in both the film and in real life: the location for this is Osea Island in Essex. Filming took place over two weeks as the production company had to work around the rise and fall of the tide.
The Theory of Everything: St John’s College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
The biopic of Professor Stephen Hawking follows the renowned physicist’s student years at the University of Cambridge through to the onset of his Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The filming took place in and around Cambridge and included the University’s most famous building, St John’s College.
And if you want to stay close by, your nearest Away Resorts to these sites are Mersea Island holiday park in Essex and Mill Rythe Holiday Village in Hampshire.
South East of England
There are five locations in the south east of England which were used for block-buster films.
Dunkirk, 2016: Dorset and Hampshire
Christopher Nolan’s retelling of the evacuation of the allied forces from occupied France in 1940 featured various railway and port scene sequences filmed in and around Dorset and Hampshire. The most recognisable is Common Quay in Weymouth, where civilians are seen preparing their own boats to rescue soldiers stranded at Dunkirk.
Avengers, Age of Ultron, 2015: Hawley Woods, Hampshire
The Age of Ultron film crew visited Hawley Woods to shoot the winter battle scene where a section of the woodland was transformed using fake snow; a temporary bunker and massive tanks were also rolled in.
Victoria and Abdul, 2017: Osborne House, Isle of Wight
Victoria and Abdul tells the real-life tale of the friendship between Queen Victoria and her Muslim attendant, Abdul. The film was shot at various locations across Scotland, but also at Queen Victoria’s palace, Osborne House (pictured), on the Isle of Wight.
Les Misérables, 2012: Dry-Dock, Portsmouth
The opening scenes of the musical, Les Misérables, starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne, were filmed at the historic dry-dock in Portsmouth.
Batman Begins, 2005: Mentmore Towers, Buckinghamshire
This 19th century Buckinghamshire country house was used as Wayne Manor, home of Bruce Wayne Batman’s alter-ego, in the Batman Begins film.
Your nearest Away Resorts holiday parks to these film locations are Sandy Balls Holiday Park in the New Forest, Whitecliff Bay in the Isle of Wight and Hayling Island Holiday Village in Hampshire.
South West of England
There is one must-visit film location in the south west of England, but it’s a beautiful place to spend the entire day!
Alice in Wonderland, 2010, Anthony House, Cornwall
Antony House was used as the backdrop for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. The house was chosen from a list of more than 30 prospective properties because it fitted his description of a “perfect, pocket-sized mansion”.
Wales
Wales is home to some of the most breath-taking scenery in the UK, making it a favourite location for directors and film crews.
The Dark Knight Rises, 2012: Henrhyd Falls, Brecon Beacons
Henrhyd Falls was utilised as the Batcave for the final instalment of the Batman trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan.
Tarzan, 2016: Dinorwig Slate Quarry, Snowdonia, Wales
The location’s intriguing mix of stunning views, interesting old buildings, industrial machinery and rail tracks made it a perfect location for Hollywood’s version of Tarzan.
If you’d like to book a holiday in Wales, your nearest holiday park to these two locations is Barmouth Bay.
East Midlands
The East Midlands has played host to some high-grossing films in the past couple of decades, thanks to its mix of historical and architecturally imposing buildings.
The Davinci Code, 2006: Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire
Lincoln Cathedral was temporarily transformed to look like Westminster Abbey to shoot various scenes for the film adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, which starred Tom Hanks.
Pride and Prejudice, 2005: Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
The film adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous novel features various locations around Derbyshire, but the most recognisable, of course, is Chatsworth House, which was used as Pemberley, the residence of Mr Darcy.
If you would like to stay in the East Midlands, the nearest Away Resorts holiday park is Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire.
North West of England
The North West of England is home to the Lake District, where the beautiful and tranquil expanses of water can make excellent film sets.
Miss Potter, 2006: Derwentwater, Keswick, Lake District
The Lake District was a favourite holiday spot (and latterly home) for the author Beatrix Potter and inspired many of her children’s books. It was also featured in the film biopic, Miss Potter, starring Renee Zellweger.
Scotland and Scottish Isles
Scotland and the surrounding islands are home to some of the most beautiful yet dramatic landscapes in the whole of the British Isles, so it’s no surprise that many of the nation’s favourite films were filmed in this country.
Trainspotting, 1996: Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The opening scene of Trainspotting sees Renton and Spud fleeing down Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street after a shoplifting attempt goes wrong.
Harry Potter 2001 – 2011: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Highlands, Scotland
The viaduct is used in scenes where the Hogwarts Express is whisking pupils off to the famous school of magic.
Macbeth, 2015: Quiraing, Isle of Skye
The film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, was mostly shot on the dramatic landscapes of the Isle of Skye. The key scene in Macbeth in which Banquo is slain on Macbeth’s orders, is shot in the woodland overlooking the Cuillin ridge.