Our Top 10 filming locations to visit across the UK

From internationally famous movie franchises to Britain’s best loved TV shows, the United Kingdom hosts a plethora of iconic filming locations. If you’re looking for inspiration for where to book your next staycation, why not find the film sets of your favourite shows and movies? Here’s our top 10 to choose from:

10. Keighley, West Yorkshire
The Railway Children

Mooch around the quaint market town of Keighley and pay a visit to Oakworth Railway Station, the very station seen in the iconic 1970 film, The Railway Children. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has also featured in many other popular TV and film productions, most recently including the BBC’s Peaky Blinders. Another interesting spot nearby is Haworth, once home to the Bronte sisters.

9. Dartmoor, Devon
War Horse

World-renowned filmmaker Stephen Spielberg said himself: “I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor”. The stunning landscapes of Dartmoor National Park are a walker’s paradise, and fans of the 2012 film adaptation of War Horse can even take a walking tour of the filming spots.

8. Barry Island, South Wales
Gavin & Stacey

Oh, what’s occurrin’? The Welsh seaside town of Barry Island may be best known by some for its feature in the BBC’s Gavin and Stacey. With its sandy beach, seaside cafes and fairground rides, it’s a popular holiday destination for tourists and locals alike. You can even stop for a drink at Marco’s Café, hit the slot machines at Nessa’s arcade and seek out Bryn and Gwen’s houses.

7. Castle Ward, County Down
Game of Thrones

Known to Game of Thrones fans as “Winterfell”, Castle Ward is a historic National Trust property in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. You can tour the mansion and its grounds, and take part in outdoor adventure activities such as canoeing on Strangford Lough. 

6. Glenfinnan Viaduct, West Highlands of Scotland
Harry Potter

See the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and its surrounding stunning landscapes in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. This impressive railway line features in two of the Harry Potter films as the path of the Hogwarts Express. In fact, filming locations for the Harry Potter film series are scattered across the UK, including visit-worthy places such as Lavenham (“Godric’s Hollow”) and Alnwick Castle (some Hogwarts scenes).

5. Port Isaac, Cornwall
Doc Martin

The idyllic village of Port Isaac is the hometown of the BBC’s Doc Martin and a popular seaside holiday destination. The fishing town is characterised by narrow, winding streets, beautiful cottages and a picturesque bay. You can find the spots of all your favourite Doc Martin scenes, dine on the seafront and walk to the neighbouring Port Gaverne.

4. Lyme Park, Cheshire
Pride & Prejudice (1995)

The beautiful manor and gardens of Lyme Park in the Peak District was most famously used at Pemberley in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Visitors are offered a free walk leaflet detailing the Pride and Prejudice filming spots, and at Lyme Park you can also enjoy a restaurant, holiday cottage, gift shop and children’s play park.

3. Portobello Road, West London
Notting Hill

Portobello Road and its vibrant market is an iconic film location from the much-loved movie Notting Hill (1999). It’s easy to spend hours browsing the huge market along the pretty street lined with colourful buildings, imagining you’re Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts. Explore the surrounding area of Notting Hill to find more spots from the famous film and bask in the hustle and bustle of the town.

2. Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
The Imitation Game

Bletchley Park gains its fame as being the home of the Codebreakers who played a vital part in Britain’s victory in World War 2. It is now a popular museum and heritage site which featured in the 2014 film, The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing. This engrossing museum is a must-see to learn the incredible history behind how the Enigma Code was broken.

1. Highclere Castle, Hampshire
Downton Abbey

The glorious Highclere Castle, owned by the Earl of Carnarvon, is rich with history and shot to fame from 2010 when it became the location of world-famous ITV period drama Downton Abbey. Some truths lie in the TV series, as Highclere did in fact open as a hospital for soldiers during the First World War. Visitors can take tours of the castle, venue hire is available and events occur throughout the year. 

And that’s a wrap! For more inspiration for where to visit in the UK, visit our UK destination page and get in touch to book a trip.

Author: Gemma Small - 10th January 2021