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Britain continues to be the real star of the show for our favourite films and TV series. Here’s where to visit.
What do ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Marvel’, ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Succession’ all have in common? They were all filmed in Britain, in places you can visit.There’s no shortage of opportunities to walk in the footsteps of your beloved characters. And the real destinations have become celebrities in their own right. In fact, more than 90 per cent of potential visitors to the UK are eager to explore a filming location during their trip.In January, Visit Britain officially launched its ‘Starring Great Britain’ campaign, kicking off with a blockbuster-inspired film that sees everyone from Tom Cruise to Zendaya take a backseat to the UK’s bustling cities, serene lakes, and rolling green hills. Directed by Academy Award-winning British director Tom Hooper, the four-minute montage shines a light on Paddington Bear fleeing a moving train in the Lake District and Jude Law staging a river rescue on the Thames. Speaking at ITB Berlin 2025, Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain encouraged travellers to “come to Britain and put yourself in the picture”.“This is a campaign that harnesses the power of film and TV and those emotional connections people have with what they see on screen,” she says. “All around the country there are just amazing film locations that tell the story of Britain.” While Euronews Travel has previously reported on this fun campaign, highlighting where you can go to step into the real-world sets of ‘Wonka, ‘Bridgerton’, and, of course, ‘Harry Potter’, we’ve got more film adventures up our sleeves. Read on to discover the true star of the show: the location.Sweep through London in Spiderman-style or have a drink down Bridget’s localWhile you may not be able to swing from Tower Bridge like Spiderman, this iconic landmark over the River Thames is a must-see. A marvel of Victorian-era engineering and architecture, construction on the London landmark was completed in 1894, and 40,000 people now use it to cross the River Thames every day. See the city from a new perspective by strolling across its glass-floored walkways or enjoy the view from an open-top bus.Elsewhere in the capital, film enthusiasts can visit Bridget Jones’ famous Southwark flat for a drink at The Globe Tavern pub and a jaunt around Borough Market, a popular destination for street food, wine bars, and restaurants. From here, you can meander along the South Bank, taking in sights like the Houses of Parliament, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the historic Elizabethan playhouse.Wales or Westeros? Step into dragon territory in North WalesBeyond London, Yates encourages travellers to get off the beaten path and explore lesser known coastal gems. “We know London is a huge draw for international visitors, but there is much more to Britain,” she says. “By using the power of what people have seen on screen we can encourage them to explore more of regional Britain, to go to those amazing beaches in Wales that they’ve seen on ‘House of the Dragon’, to follow the footsteps of ‘James Bond’ up to Scotland and to have a go at Quidditch like they’ve seen in ‘Harry Potter’.Around 450 kilometres from the busy capital, the picturesque island of Anglesey in North Wales is dragon territory, with a sweeping shoreline that offers a wealth of activities from beach hopping to salt bathing. The ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off, ‘House of the Dragon’ puts the Welsh landscape centre stage, with valleys, quarries and beaches setting a suitable ominous stage for the HBO show’s fictional kingdom. One of the most popular beaches in Anglesey is Penmon Point, which is home to the Trwyn Du Lighthouse, built in 1838. Coastal scenes in season two were filmed near Penmon Priory, with Corlys Velaryon filmed sailing in the area. Nearby, Landdwyn Island is considered one of the most charming locations in Wales and was also featured in the spin-off. The island’s ruined church was once home to Saint Dwynwen – the Welsh patron saint of lovers from the 5th century A.D. Get Fast and Furious in Edinburgh As seen in ‘Fast & Furious 9’ (F9), the Scottish capital of Edinburgh is brimming with culture and history. Known for its stunning architecture and the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the city centre was transformed into a high-speed playground in September 2019, with roaring supercars racing across 11 filming locations over 19 action-packed days. High-octane car chases and daring stunts took place in some of the city’s most iconic spots, including Waterloo Place, located at the foot of Carlton Hill. Designed in the 19th century to serve as a grand entrance to the city, its Corinthian-columned buildings provided a dramatic backdrop for the thrilling car chases. For a more serene adventure, head to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano rising 251 meters above sea level in Holyrood Park. Strap on your hiking boots and enjoy a leisurely climb to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city skyline.Walk with dinosaurs in Northumberland Head north to step into 400 hectares of woodland surrounding Cragside, an impressive Victorian home in Northumberland where ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ was shot in 2018. With manmade lakes, foaming waterfalls and swathes of rhododendrons, the fantasy mountain landscape is best visited in the summer months when temperatures hover around 18°C. We’ve got this far – but now we must again mention the most classic – and arguably magical – British film franchise. Just a 20-minute drive north from Cragside, and you’ll happen upon Alnwick Castle for a dose of wizarding magic, as it appeared in the first two ‘Harry Potter’ films. The Outer Bailey sets the scene for the boy wizard’s first flying lesson, while the Inner Bailey provides the setting for the infamous Whomping Willow scene, during which Harry and Ron crash land a flying car into its thrashing branches.Elsewhere in the Northeast of England, the stunning Durham Cathedral in Durham City also appeared in the ‘Harry Potter’ series, as well as ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. Climb the 325 winding spiral steps to the cathedral roof to experience breathtaking views of the city and river below.
