Visit Your Favourite UK Film Sites
For movie enthusiasts, the Festival de Cannes in France is considered the “main” event. Many also travel to Nice or as fair afield as the USA for the Sundance Festival. If a film has really captured your imagination, why not visit some of the sites where filming took place? Jump in your car – and if you don’t own one, book car hire in London or your city of residence from companies such as Avis who offer car rental services. You can visit many famous locations across the United Kingdom which have featured in some very famous movies.
London and the United Kingdom has seen its fair share of movie sets and has been the backdrop for a few blockbusters over the years. Below are just a few of the well known movies shot in the UK.
The Kings Speech (2010)
All of its 118mins of this Oscar winning movie, was shot in the UK. 33 Portland Place, Marylebone, London was used as the home of the Duke and Duchess of York. The King and his speech therapist, fall out with each other at Avenue Garden, Regent’s Park, London. Elland Road Stadium in Leeds and Grattan Stadium in Bradford were used as Wembley Stadium at the start of film. Ely Cathedral, in Cambridgeshire stood in for the iconic Westminster Abbey.
The Thirty Nine Steps (remake of 1978)
For a truly iconic image of London in film it’s hard to beat the nail-biting, clock-ticking drama seen at the top of Big Ben in The Thirty Nine Steps. The main character of the film finds themselves hanging off the hands of Big Ben!
28 Days Later (2002)
A British horror movie which featured scenes set across the English capital. In the film, the main character wakes up to find himself completely alone in an empty London and wanders over the deserted Westminster Bridge. Not a bus, a London cab or a person is in sight – and that takes some doing in Central London.
Robin Hood (2010)
Pembrokeshire on the south west Wales coast has featured in “Robin Hood” staring Russell Crow. It is not hard to see how this vast expanse of beach with little pools created at low tide captivates audiences and holiday makers alike, especially those carrying surfboards. The beach is called Freshwater West Beach, just down the road from Saundersfoot. Its really gorgeous and there’s space enough for everyone.
Braveheart (1995)
This historical drama was filmed in some of Scotland’s most dramatic locations, Glen Nevis, Loch Leven and Glen Coe. Glen Nevis, located under Ben Nevis is where the opening scene is shot. It’s a walker’s haven and home to Scotland’s three highest waterfalls. Glen Coe is a fantastic place for climbers and hikers in the spring and summer, and there is still good ski-ing here in the winter. Filming took place on Glen Coes eastern edge close to the 3,345-foot high mountain, Buchaille Etive Mor.
Harry Potter (Trilogy)
Alnwick Castle is probably the most famous Harry Potter filming location, as the setting for Hogwarts School of Magic, but en-route to Hogwarts, a train is seen passing over a high railway bridge. This wasn’t computer generated – the bridge is the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the line from Fort William to Mallaig in Scotland, with views down to the Loch itself.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Lincoln Cathedral was one of the settings for the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code. This historic cathedral, was used instead of Westminster Abbey – the setting in the book. Lincoln has one of only four copies of the Magna Carta in existence. Another of the locations in Dan Browns’ book is Chapel Rosslyn near Edinburgh. This building became something of a mecca for Da Vinci Code enthusiasts after the film was released. The 15th Century chapel is believed to have strong connections with the Knights Templar and the Masons.
The World is Not Enough (1999)
Mr Bond, a British spy who never dies, tracks the bad guys all over London including scenes shot at Tower Bridge, Tobacco Wharf, Stowe School and Stowe Gardens, Royal Victoria Docks, SIS Headquaters the list is endless. In a major chase scene, Bond follows the baddies along the River Thames in a frenetic boat chase. The film also features the Millenium Dome with our hero parachuting into the landmark in the opening scene.
So if you love film, follow in the footsteps of your favourite movie actors and see some of the iconic sights of the UK!
