Lights, Camera, Action: Unveiling the UK’s Iconic Filming Locations
Attractions | Events | Outdoor Activities | Pub | Pub Accommodation | Uk Pubs | Posted 2023.12.18
Do you ever find yourself wishing your life could be a movie? There’s something quite magical about stepping into a scene where your favourite film or TV show could come to life. While I can’t promise you Hollywood glamour, I can offer you an exciting journey through the heart of Britain, unconvering iconic filming locations.
From the rugged Scottish Highlands to the picturesque Cornish landscapes, Great Britain serves as the enchanting backdrop for some of the most unforgettable movie moments. Whether you’re a fan of classic rom-coms, heart-stopping thrillers, or epic superhero sagas, the United Kingdom has been a stage for them all.
Join me in this exploration of famous movies and television series, uncovering the stunning, iconic filming locations that played a pivotal role in creating cinematic magic. We’ll also guide you on where to stay nearby, ensuring your adventure is as memorable off-screen as it is on.
So, grab your popcorn, settle into your favourite spot, and let’s embark on a journey through the iconic settings of the United Kingdom.
Wonka
The Iconic Filming Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset
The Wonka movie, which premiered on 8 December 2023, is a captivating spin-off from Roald Dahl’s renowned work, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. The movie follows the story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician, and chocolate maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
As a filming location for a segment of the movie, the production company opted to feature the historic Cobb at Lyme Regis. In the opening scenes of the Wonka movie, one of Willy Wonka’s cargo ships docks in this picturesque harbour on Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast. To transform the setting into an atmospheric wintry scene, the production team used a snow machine, props, and an old wooden-style house set.
Pubs nearby
The Royal Lion
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The Rock Point Inn 
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Bridgeton
The Iconic Filming Location: Castle Howard, North York
Bridgeton is an Emmy-nominated TV drama created by Shonda Rhimes based on the bestselling romance novels by Julia Quinn. Set during the Regency era in England, the series follows the lives and love stories of the Bridgerton family’s eight children.
In season one, after their wedding, Simon and Daphne move into the fictional Clyvedon Castle – whose façade, entrance hall, and grounds were filmed at Castle Howard, in the heart of Yorkshire.
One notable location within the estate is the Temple of the Four Winds, featured in the show when the Duke and Duchess defy societal expectations associated with their newfound roles. Seeking refuge from a sudden downpour during an evening stroll, the couple stumbles upon the Temple, an 18th-century folly used for ‘refreshment and reading’.
Pubs nearby
The Talbot
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The Durham Ox
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Peaky Blinders
The Iconic Filming Location: City of Birmingham
This popular 1920s post-war English crime series follows Thomas Shelby and his family who run the most feared and powerful local gang, the Peaky Blinders. Named for their practice of sewing razor blades into the peaks of their caps, they make money from illegal gambling, protection, and the black market.
Writer and creator Steven Knight based Peaky Blinders on his parents’ stories of growing up in Birmingham in the 1920s. This epic gangster drama first aired in 2013 and has run to five series, with the sixth series currently in production.
It is said that before filming Peaky Blinders, the Irish actor and main protagonist Cillian Murphy was taken to The Garrison Pub in Birmingham to get a feel for the local area and to perfect his accent. This pub featured a lot in the early days of the show as a favourite drinking location.
You can join the official Peaky Blinder Walk in Birmingham which takes you past other iconic filming locations in the city, like the Rainbow Pub, The Bull Ring, Rackhams and the Great Western Arcade.
Pubs nearby
The High Field
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Harry Potter
The Iconic Filming Location: Lacock, Wiltshire
The Harry Potter movies, originating from J.K. Rowling’s debut novel ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, unveil the captivating tale of an orphaned young boy who possesses magical abilities.
The subsequent books and highly popular films follow Harry on an awe-inspiring journey, chronicling his evolution from boy to adult within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The National Trust’s Lacock Abbey was used as a film location for the fictional boarding school, its historic walls echoing the magic that unfolded within. And Lacock, a 13th-century medieval market town near Bath, became a recurring muse for numerous scenes in the Harry Potter film series.
Pubs nearby
The George Inn
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The Red Lion
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The Avengers
The Iconic Filming Location: Norwich, Norfolk
The Avengers, a blockbuster series of Marvel movies, invites audiences into the extraordinary lives of Earth’s mightiest superheroes who unite to safeguard the world from evil villains. From the technological genius of Iron Man to the god-like power of Thor, and the strength of Captain America, The Avengers blend their strengths and talents to create a formidable alliance against the forces of darkness.
The University of East Anglia’s art gallery, the Sainsbury Centre, features prominently as the Avengers’ headquarters and has evolved into a must-visit destination for tourists exploring Norwich.
Pubs nearby
The Georgian Townhouse
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The Kings Head
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Pride and Prejudice
The Iconic Filming Location: Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Jane Austen’s romantic masterpiece Pride and Prejudice follows a family with five daughters who will not inherit their family’s estate entailed to the nearest male relative. The Bennet family’s future depends on one of the daughters to marry a wealthy man who can provide for the other four sisters.
At the heart of the 2005 film adaptation are Elizabeth Bennet (played by Kiera Knightley) and rich aristocratic landowner Mr. Darcy (played by Matthews McFayden). Chatsworth, the Grade 1 listed home to sixteen generations of the Devonshire family is used in the film as Mr Darcy’s residence. The grand staircase and ceiling of the Painted Hall and the Sculpture Gallery with its remarkable collection, are particularly memorable settings.
Pubs nearby
Devonshire Arms at Pilsley
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Devonshire Arms at Beeley
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Downton Abbey
The Iconic Filming Location: Highclere Castle, Hampshire
Downton Abbey, a captivating British historical television drama series, was created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. The series, set on the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, portrays the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era.
Throughout the drama, viewers witness the profound impact of significant historical events on the characters’ lives and the evolving dynamics within the British social hierarchy during this transformative period.
Highclere Castle, a beautiful Grade I listed country house near Newbury originally built as Highclere Place House in 1679, is used as the Downton Abbey estate. This magnificent building with an estimated 300 rooms and its 1000 acres of parkland is featured throughout the series.
Pubs nearby
The Carnarvon Arms
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The Jack Russell Inn
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Written by Issy Matthews
Social Media Intern
