East of England film and TV itinerary

Suffolk’s very own foodie town offers more than just its tantalising flavours. Proud home of the original patron Saint of England, Saint Edmund, and Bury St Edmunds Abbey, there’s heaps of history to unlock in the east of England. Explore nature at Abbey Gardens and Nowton Park, or get cultural at Great Britain’s only remaining Regency playhouse, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. The town also stars in Armando Iannucci’s movie, The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019). Charles Dickens himself visited Bury St Edmunds on many occasions, staying at The Angel Hotel; also performing readings from The Pickwick Papers and David Copperfield at the Athenaeum. 

Discover the story of Suffolk’s ‘wool towns’ in medieval Lavenham. Described as ‘England’s best-preserved medieval village’, Lavenham has more than 300 listed buildings to spot. There’s plenty of independent shopping to keep you busy, and tea rooms to refuel at. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Lavenham Guildhall and the surrounding streets step in for scenes set in Godric's Hollow. This really is where the magic happens.

From medieval aristocrats to a Tudor queen, experience 800 years of history at Framlingham Castle. Walk the castle walls, explore the exhibition and explore the Folktale Creature Trail. Fun fact: take a look at each of the Tudor chimneys – each one has a different brick design. You’d be right in thinking that the castle feels familiar. It features in the TV comedy/drama The Detectorists, also in Ed Sheeran’s music video for 2017 song Castle on the Hill. 

A former Tudor port, tuck into award-winning fish and chips on the seafront as you watch fishermen haul in their catch at this traditional seaside town. Stroll past 19th-century seaside villas, crunch along the pebble beach, dip into boutique shopping along the ancient high street and visit the Aldeburgh Museum to learn more about the town’s historic naval past.

Mouth-watering roast dinners, succulent steaks and Britain’s finest cheeses – all on the menu at this award-winning gastropub. The Unruly Pig serves up top British cuisine with an Italian influence, which have earned it the number one spot in the UK Top 50 Gastropubs Awards in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Dishes change with the seasons and there’s a real emphasis on market-fresh produce. Take advantage of ‘Tasting Thursdays’, when the five-course tasting menu is reduced to £49 per guest.

Take to the helm of your very own boat to explore this glorious waterway. At a leisurely pace, you’ll enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the Norfolk Broads – spotting otters, migrating birds, dragonflies and wild lilies.

Enter the forest of family fun – with treehouses, wobbly wires, boat rides, marsh walks and more. Listen in at the storytelling stage, whizz along ziplines or explore a maze in the treetops – you can choose your own adventure in this enchanted woodland.

Enjoy walking and exploring where the Broads meet the coast. This secluded location is famous for its wildlife – from the wildfowl of Horsey Mere, to the swallowtail butterflies in the fens.

All aboard this historic railway, which stretches between the Victorian seaside resort of Sheringham and the Georgian town of Holt – and dates back to 1884. Expect glorious views of the sea and countryside, as you travel in a heritage steam- or diesel-powered locomotive. Alongside scheduled trips throughout summer, look out for themed events, Christmas lights and fun vintage festivals. Look out for Weybourne Station, which featured in the TV show Dad’s Army: The Royal Train episode (1973), the BBC TV sitcom Hi-De-Hi! (1980-1988), and the 1985 detective sleuth adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple: The Moving Finger.

Sitting proud for over 900 years, get behind the scenes of one of the city's most famous landmarks. The medieval Keep opened its newly refurbished doors in 2024 following a restoration project bringing it back to its former glory as a royal palace. The on-site museum and art gallery will entertain with fine art and archaeological finds, plus temporary exhibitions.

This store has seen its fair share of history over the years. A Norwich shopping staple for more than 200 years, Jarrolds has everything from fashion to food, books to beauty. Every product is carefully curated from local artisans and brands unique to the store.

The impressive Norman Foster building is reason to visit alone and what's inside this public art museum, and part-time film set, will entertain for hours. Check out the 'Living Art' permanent display, and hug or tell a secret to the artworks. Not forgetting to explore the 300 acres of grounds, explore the sculpture park featuring works by Elisabeth Frink and Antony Gormley. There’s also hands-on craft workshops for all ages. The gallery had a cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming – as the Avengers’ headquarters in 2017. Its striking glass architecture provided a futuristic backdrop for the final scenes in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).

Voted one of the best beaches in Britain by TripAdvisor, the sandy shoreline at Gorleston-on-Sea makes for excellent seaside adventures. Try windsurfing, surfing or body boarding on the waves, enjoy musical treats at the bandstand, or explore the town complete with Edwardian theatre, amusements and fish and chips. Located just down the road from its well-known sibling, Great Yarmouth, this gem is a winner for traditional British coastal fun. Director Danny Boyle turned the spotlight on the beach and Pier Hotel while filming scenes for his 2019 film, Yesterday.  

Thrillseekers, you’ll love the 93-year-old wooden rollercoaster in this seaside theme park. Or, why not test your nerve on Pendulum, which twists upside-down over 50ft (15.5m) in the air?

An action-packed day out with bike hire, boat rides, treetop rope courses, walled gardens and a vineyard – all before you even get inside the 18th-century Palladian-style house. The Holkham Stories Experience takes you through 400 years of history and heritage. Enjoy the artworks housed in the Hall, learn about the architecture and stories from within the walls on a guided tour, and spot the herd of friendly deer that roam the grounds. The State Rooms were also used to recreate the interior of Devonshire House in the film The Duchess (2008). 

Whether it's a wander through the sand dunes, or the pine forest, you’ll find Holkham Beach full of nature and soaring sea views. Holkham Beach can be accessed by a car park at Wells-next-the-Sea, and is serviced by toilets and a beach cafe. Star of the silver screen, the beach has featured in many a movie hit, including Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Shakespeare in Love (1998) and Never Let Me Go (2010).

Discover the glorious North Norfolk Coast from Burnham Deepdale. Look out for the village’s round-tower church, one of 125 of its kind in Norfolk. At Deepdale Farm, you’ll find a packed calendar of events, from willow weaving to nature walks. Back in 2002, James Bond film Die Another Day was filmed here, with the farm’s fields doubling as rice paddies in South Korea. If you want to channel your inner 007, the Norfolk Coast Path is within easy reach and so is the sea – ideal for kayaking and kiting.

Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1862, this magnificent residence is where Queen Elizabeth II often stayed throughout winter – and has been the backdrop of many royal Christmases. It is surrounded by 20,000 acres of gardens, woodlands and countryside, in which the late Queen was often seen riding her horses. The house and gardens are open to visitors, while selected tours include afternoon tea, Land Rover safaris and more. While Sandringham as a location features many times in the Netflix show The Crown (2016–2023), filming didn’t take place here. Somerleyton Hall in Lowestoft, stepped in for scenes representing Sandringham.

Climb up the steps of this 12th-century fortress to see the mighty earthworks that surround it, all designed to keep invaders at bay. Once home to Queen Isabella, the widow – and alleged murderess – of King Edward II, it was built in around 1140, and has been passed through generations of the same family since 1544. As well as being open to visitors, it hosts colourful festivals and battle re-enactments year-round. 

In the Theory of Everything film (2014), St John’s College doubled as Trinity Hall, where Professor Stephen Hawking studied. See where the May Ball scene was filmed on the lawn outside the New Court Building, in which staunch atheist Hawking falls in love with devout Christian Jane Wilde.

Over 8,000 species spread across 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses in the centre of Cambridge offer year-round interest and inspiration to visitors of all ages.

The only covered bridge to cross the River Cam, the Bridge of Sighs is a Victorian gothic marvel. It’s part of St John’s College and appeared in The Theory of Everything, based on the life of Stephen Hawking. You can take a tour of St John’s College to see its remarkable architecture up-close. For another perspective on the college, why not hire a punt and take to the River Cam?

Featuring over 500,000 objects from around the world, this university museum is a joy to explore – and hosts talks and workshops too. Its collections include everything from ancient Egyptian sarcophagi to Impressionist masterpieces; modern art to Renaissance sculptures; rare coins to Asian arts.

The tiniest of cities is dominated by Ely Cathedral – an incredible feat of architecture with the most epic stained glass windows. You’ll have seen it in a range of big and small screen dramas, including 2014's The Theory of Everything, The Crown (2016–2023) and 2007's Atonement. While in the centre, check out the hands-on Ely Museum and Oliver Cromwell’s old home, to discover more about the history of the city. 

Explore a legacy spanning 500 years at Burghley House. You’ll recognise both its exteriors and interiors from the big screen – mystery fans can probably picture Tom Hanks’ Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code (2006) here. Put your own brainpower to the test and see if you can make it to the centre of the mirrored maze in the magical Garden of Surprises. 

Nestled within the south Lincolnshire landscape, Grimsthorpe Castle has stood proud since construction began in the 13th century. modern day life sits shoulder to shoulder with the rich history of the estate, including the 300-year oak trees. Explore the grand interior, enjoy the locally sourced produce in the Farm Shop, and younger visitors can let loose in the adventure playground. Bridgerton fans, you might recognise the interior from season three, specifically the Innovations Ball scene, shot in the Vanbrugh Hall and courtyard. 

From guided tours and walks to adventure playgrounds, family crafts to workshops and events, the Belton Estate has evolved through the centuries to remain ever relevant. Creativity lives and breathes at Belton, and there’s plenty for you to get stuck into, as well. Easy on the eye, the impressive house and grounds also make for an excellent period drama backdrop. It was the main filming location for King George’s house in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and also featured in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice (1995) as the home of Mr Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

An unmissable feat of architecture, Lincoln’s Cathedral has been towering over the city and county for over 950 years. One of Europe’s finest Gothic cathedrals, discover the intricate work indoors on a floor tour, or climb the steep steps for a tower tour. Did you know that Lincoln Cathedral doubled for Westminster Abbey in The Da Vinci Code (2006)? 

A place where kings and convicts have roamed, discover William the Conqueror’s creation built in 1068 and walk the walls of this historic castle. Embark on a guided tour of the castle and grounds to unearth over 1000 years of history. Or choose to explore the lives and stories of Victorian convicts who resided within the castle walls when it was a prison. Don’t miss annual events, including the Luna Cinema and jousting. These ancient walls have welcomed film crews over the years, too. Downton Abbey (2010–2015) used the space to represent York prison, while the TV show Call the Midwife (2012–) also shot scenes within the prison walls.