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.

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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.

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2. Bridgerton filming Llocations

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.

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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.

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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.

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5. Clarkson’s Farm filming locations

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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9. Downton Abbey filming locations

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

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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.

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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.

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