Best film locations for architecture tourism in UK

Best film locations for architecture tourism in UK guide, British architectural filming tips, English buildings

Best film locations for architecture tourism in the UK

8 Apr 2021

The practice of visiting movie filming locations is known as screen or film tourism, and it is a phenomenon that is becoming more common over the years. With rich architecture and countless historical sites, it’s expected to see many of these film locations in the UK. Let’s see below some of the most visited movie filming locations in the British Isles.

Whitehall, London, England, UK:
Whitehall, London Best film locations for architecture tourism in UK
image source : pixabay.com

Best film locations for architecture tourism in the United Kingdom

Whitehall, London

This is the actual home of the British government, which has been featured in many James Bond movies, where he has been briefed of many of his missions within its premises. One of those examples are in the Casino Royale movie, where he then travels to Montenegro to play high stakes games, like the ones you will find at Novibet .

Holkham, Norfolk

With a population of a little over 200 people, Holkham is a coastal village located in Norfolk. It has been featured in many films due to its beautiful beach and impressive landscape. In movies like The Duchess, Shakespeare in Love and Annihilation you are able to see parts of this small settlement.

Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire

This location is a forest that is comprised of complex rock formations, secret caves, ancient trees and a Roman mine, which has been used as a filming location for many blockbusters, such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Merlin, Doctor Who and The Secret Garden. Some say that J.K. Rowling thought of this forest when she was creating the Forbidden Forest in the Harry Potter books.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Erected in the 11th century by the noble Yves de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick, its original purpose was to guard the road crossing the river Aln, in the Scottish border. For over 50 years this castle has been featured in movies, with its most famous apparition being in the Harry Potter films, where it’s depicted as part of the magical Hogwarts castle.

Wollaton Hall, Nottingham

Famous for its 16th century architecture, Wollaton Hall is a country house that once belonged to Sir Francis Willoughby. It contains many historical objects such as a pipe organ from the 1600’s and many paintings. The house was owned by the original family for over 200 years, and then in the early 20th century it was transformed into a public museum. This house was famously featured in the Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy as the Wayne Manor where Bruce Wayne lives in. By the way, this manor is just five miles away from the original “Gotham” village, which inspired the name for the fictional Gotham City from the Caped Crusader series.

Bampton Village, Oxfordshire

Located in the Thames Valley and with a population of a little over 2,500 inhabitants, Bampton Village became a world-famous location in the UK after appearing in the popular TV show Downtown Abbey. You can see many of the city landmarks in the series, which is set in the first quarter of the 20th century, just after the First World War. The series was mainly filmed in the St Mary the Virgin Church, the Old Rectory and the Public Library.

Edinburgh: a paradise for architecture enthusiasts

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Edinburgh Architecture

Edinburgh Home Demonstrator Project
Greendykes net zero affordable housing
image courtesy of EHDP
Edinburgh Home Demonstrator Project

Liberton Brae Townhouses
Design: LBA Architects
Liberton Brae Townhouses

St James Quarter Edinburgh
St James Quarter

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