Film, TV & Literature Locations in the UK

The United Kingdom has been the backdrop for some of the world's most famous films, TV shows, and literary works. Whether you're a fan of Harry Potter, James Bond, Game of Thrones, or Sherlock Holmes, you can visit real-life places that inspired or were used in famous productions. Here’s a guide to must-see locations across the UK.

1. Harry Potter Filming Locations

The Harry Potter films used some of the UK’s most magical landmarks.

London

King’s Cross Station (Platform 9¾) – The famous trolley disappearing into the wall.
Leadenhall Market – Used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Millennium Bridge – Destroyed by Death Eaters in Half-Blood Prince.

Scotland

Glenfinnan Viaduct – The Hogwarts Express passes over this stunning bridge.
Glencoe – Featured as the location of Hagrid’s Hut and Hogwarts landscapes.

Other UK Locations

Alnwick Castle (Northumberland) – The real-life Hogwarts used in early films.
Durham Cathedral – Filmed as parts of Hogwarts interiors.
Lacock Abbey (Wiltshire) – Used for Hogwarts classrooms and corridors.

2. Bridgerton Filming Locations

Netflix’s Bridgerton, set in the Regency era, was filmed in some of the UK’s most stunning historic locations.

Ranger’s House (London) – The exterior of the Bridgerton family home in Greenwich.
Royal Crescent (Bath) – Used for street scenes, as Bath’s Georgian architecture suits the period.
The Assembly Rooms (Bath) – Grand ballroom scenes were filmed here.
Wilton House (Wiltshire) – Used as Hastings House, the Duke’s London residence.
Hampton Court Palace (London) – Used for Queen Charlotte’s royal residence.
Castle Howard (Yorkshire) – Served as Clyvedon Castle, the Duke and Duchess of Hastings’ country home.
Lancaster House (London) – The interior of Queen Charlotte’s palace.

3. Bridget Jones Filming Locations

The beloved Bridget Jones’s Diary films, starring Renée Zellweger, were filmed at some of London’s most famous locations, as well as charming countryside spots.

London Locations

Bridget Jones’ Flat (Bedale Street, Borough Market) – Bridget’s famous flat is located above The Globe Tavern, near Borough Market.
The Globe Tavern – The pub beneath Bridget’s apartment where she bumps into Mark Darcy.
Borough Market – Used in various scenes, giving the movie its classic London feel.
Royal Courts of Justice – Where Mark Darcy works as a human rights lawyer.
Shad Thames – The area where Bridget and Daniel Cleaver walk along the river.

Countryside Locations

Snowshill (Gloucestershire) – Used for Bridget’s parents’ home in the countryside, featured in the Christmas scenes.

4. The Crown Filming Locations

Netflix’s The Crown, based on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, was filmed at various palaces, country houses, and historic landmarks across the UK.

Lancaster House (London) – Used as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace.
Ely Cathedral (Cambridgeshire) – Used as Westminster Abbey in coronation scenes.
Wilton House (Wiltshire) – Filmed as the interior of Buckingham Palace.
Belvoir Castle (Leicestershire) – Used as Windsor Castle.
Balmoral Castle (Scotland) – Ardverikie Estate in the Highlands stood in for Balmoral.
Old Royal Naval College (Greenwich, London) – Used for various London scenes.

5. Clarkson’s Farm Filming Location

Amazon Prime’s Clarkson’s Farm, featuring Jeremy Clarkson, follows his journey of running a farm in Oxfordshire.

Where is Clarkson’s Farm Filmed?

Diddly Squat Farm (Chadlington, Oxfordshire) – The main filming location and Clarkson’s real farm.
Chipping Norton (Oxfordshire) – The local town featured frequently, home to “Cheerful Charlie” and other locals.

Visiting Diddly Squat Farm

The Diddly Squat Farm Shop sells farm-produced goods, including “Cow Juice” (milk) and Clarkson’s beer.
The farm café offers fresh local food, though it often has long queues.

6. Poldark Filming Locations (Cornwall, England)

BBC’s Poldark used Cornwall’s stunning cliffs, beaches, and mines as its main backdrop.

Charlestown Harbour – The historic port of Truro in the show.
Botallack Mine – The Poldark family mines, with dramatic clifftop views.
Holywell Bay – The beach used for horseback riding scenes.
St. Agnes Head – Featured in many of Ross Poldark’s brooding moments.

7. Game of Thrones Filming Locations (Northern Ireland)

Dark Hedges (County Antrim) – The Kingsroad, where Arya Stark traveled.
Castle Ward (County Down) – The Winterfell courtyard.
Ballintoy Harbour – Used as Pyke, the Iron Islands.

8. James Bond Filming Locations

MI6 Headquarters (London) – The real-life British Intelligence HQ.
Skyfall Lodge (Scotland) – The Scottish Highlands location in Skyfall.
Glen Etive (Scotland) – The winding road from Skyfall.

9. Downton Abbey Filming Locations

Highclere Castle (Hampshire) – The real Downton Abbey estate.
Bampton Village (Oxfordshire) – Used as the Downton village.

10. Classic Literary Locations

221B Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes) – The home of Sherlock Holmes (now a museum).
Chatsworth House (Pride and Prejudice - Pemberley) – Mr. Darcy’s estate.
Haworth, Yorkshire (Wuthering Heights) – Home of the Brontë sisters.

Conclusion

The UK is a paradise for film, TV, and literature fans. Whether you're visiting Diddly Squat Farm, Hogwarts, Bridget Jones' flat, Winterfell, Downton Abbey, or Buckingham Palace, you’ll find a real-world connection to your favourite stories.

Want help planning your adventure with Go Tours UK? Book a call with a member of our team.

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