Britain’s countryside vistas are famous the world over, so much so that most of them have made it onto the big screen. The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the beautiful areas of Oxfordshire and Berkshire have all featured in TV shows and films ranging from Harry Potter to Skyfall.
So, where exactly are those amazing places that you’ve seen so much on the big screen? Here are some of the most famous.
Game of Thrones (Northern Ireland)
Game of Thrones is another recent TV show that took the entire world by storm. It’s a fantasy tale of the battles between neighbouring kingdoms, many of which assume the Iron Throne belongs in their hands. It was an epic show that we could watch time and time again, and not just because of its gripping storyline. Game of Thrones features scenes of medieval castles, sprawling countryside vistas and hamlets, many of which are located in Northern Ireland.
Miss Potter (The Lake District)
In 2006, director Chris Noonan treated the world to a biographic film about the life of the world-famous author, Beatrix Potter. And, the film, named Miss Potter, features countless scenes set in the countryside setting of the Lake District, the former home of the renowned author. Catch a glimpse of England’s most mountainous region in this epic flick. Or, join us on a tour to see the best of The Lake District.
Calendar Girls (Kettlewell)
England’s largest ceremonial county of Yorkshire often goes by the nickname of “God’s County” thanks to its stunning countryside vistas. Calendar Girls, a 2003 comedy flick, is based on the true story of a group of middle-aged Yorkshire women who decided to create a nude calendar to raise money for charity. Many scenes were shot in the picturesque village of Kettlewell, which is surrounded by stunning countryside in North Yorkshire.
Downton Abbey (Oxfordshire & Berkshire)
Given its current popularity, Downton Abbey needs little explanation. The show focuses on an aristocratic family and their servants in post-Edwardian Britain. Wondering where those amazing places are that you keep seeing on the screen? Most of them are in the beautiful counties of Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Fury (Buckinghamshire)
The UK’s countryside is so amazing that even American filmmakers want to feature it in their films. The hit film Fury, starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf and a host of other stars, is mostly set in Buckinghamshire. If you like war films with plenty of countryside views, you need to watch Fury.
Harry Potter & Skyfall (Scotland)
The characters of James Bond and Harry Potter are possibly two of Britain’s most famous fictional inventions. Ever wondered where films like Skyfall were filmed? Many scenes you’ll see when re-watching the Harry Potter films and Skyfall are located in Scotland, where you could spend a lifetime exploring The Highlands. And if you’d like to experience the world of the most famous wizard, take a look at our Harry Potter Studio Tour.
The Edge of Love (Wales)
The Edge of Love is a British romantic comedy starring names such as Kiera Knightley and Sienna Miller, though most of the film focuses on the life of Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, played by Matthew Rhys. As such, many of the scenes were shot in the beautiful countryside settings of Wales.
If you’d like to visit the Lake District, make sure you take a look at our Lake District Tour with Afternoon Tea. Go on a cruise in the beautiful area and stop for a traditional British afternoon tea.
