It's been a great year for the British film industry and UK films, actors and directors have received a whole host of nominations for The Oscars 2019. Britain's beautiful countryside, stately homes and bustling cities also featured, forming the backdrop for many of the nominated films too.
Discover some of the best places to visit in the UK as revealed in these Oscar contenders.
The Favourite
The magnificence of Hatfield House in Hertfordshire provided the predominant filming location for director Yorgos Lanthimos’ period drama about Queen Anne in 18th-century England, with Olivia Colman starring and nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Both Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, with the film itself nominated for Best Picture, Writing (Original Screenplay) and Cinematography, among others. The country house is a leading example of Jacobean architecture, while the surrounding landscape is home to two deer parks and an array of other wildlife.
Visiting information: Hatfield House is an hour drive from central London. The House, Gardens, Parks and Woodland Walks will be open to the public from 6 April 2019.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Another film up for Best Picture, Rami Malek’s portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury landed him a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Shot across London, notable landmarks used during filming include the Grade II listed art deco Gillette Building in Brentford and Hornsey Town Hall in Haringey. Southwark’s Union Street also doubled as New York in the biopic, with the picturesque backdrop of the Grand Union Canal near Rickmansworth providing a further spectacular setting for a glimpse into the life of one of music’s most revered talents.
Getting there: Brentford, Haringey and Rickmansworth are each under an hour drive from Central London.
Mary Queen of Scots
Josie Rourke’s historical drama features many exciting locations across both England and Scotland. Nominated for Makeup and Hairstyling alongside Costume Design, the enthralling tale of Mary Queen of Scots takes in Seacliff Beach and North Beach in East Lothian, as well as Blackness Castle in Linlithgow. Derbyshire’s Hardwick Hall, Gloucester Cathedral and Penshurst Place also feature in the epic portrayal of life in Elizabethan Britain.
Visiting information: Blackness Castle is open all-year-round, with extended opening hours between 1 April and 30 September.
Hardwick Hall is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and opens for 2019 from 27 February.
Penshurst Place and Gardens is open daily from 16-24 February, on weekends in March and then daily from 30 March to 27 October.
Gloucester Cathedral is open all-year-round.
Mary Poppins Returns
The heart of the City of London is the star as the beloved magical nanny makes her return to the big screen. Iconic landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Westminster and the spectacular Victoria Memorial, near to Buckingham Palace, also feature in the film that has been put forward for Production Design, Music (Original Score) and Costume Design awards.
Visiting information: Victoria Memorial, in front of Buckingham Palace is accessible to pedestrians. To access the inside of the palace, the State Rooms are open to visitors for 10 weeks in summer.
