Explore Britain's best-loved family film locations

Pack your marmalade sandwiches and prepare to immerse yourself in the world of the legendary British bear! This new, interactive experience on London’s South Bank is dedicated to Paddington himself. Explore scenes from the films on a multi-room, walkthrough journey as you help the Brown family prepare for the ‘Marmalade Day Festival’.  

Step back in time to 1959 and the town of Hawkins, for this gripping new Stranger Things adventure from an award-winning creative team. Currently showing at the Phoenix Theatre, it's an unmissable experience in London for fans of the show. 

Delve into the weird and wonderful aesthetic of legendary director Tim Burton at the Design Museum. The collection features sculptures, drawings and installations from his personal archives, embodying the distinctively eerie themes of his cinematic creations.    

25th October 2024 – 26th May 2025

Filled with props, sets and costumes from the Harry Potter movies, this immersive tour is a must-visit for all fans. It’s set in the very spot where filming took place, and features animatronics, special effects and exclusive interviews with the stars.

Ready to channel your inner Willy Wonka? From its chocolate making zone and sumptuous cafe, to sweet theme park rides and the world’s biggest Cadbury shop, every inch of this museum is dedicated to our nation’s sweet treat. You can peek inside the world-famous Cadbury factory, too.  

Striving to conserve some of the world’s most endangered species, this is the place to meet – and help to protect – red pandas, lemurs, meerkats, monkeys and more. You’ll see the action up-close at feeding times, and it’s even possible to sponsor one of the animals.

Known as the ‘Black Country’ for the soot produced by its many iron foundries, this open-air museum brings local history to life. It’s designed as a real-life community, with actors revealing what life was like in 19th-century Britain, complete with traditional food and street games. This is your chance to step into Tommy Shelby’s Birmingham – the Black Country Living Museum was a key filming location for Peaky Blinders!  

Rediscover the big kid in you at the weird and wonderful museum of kinetic art, MAD. Get hands-on with the gadgets and enjoy all things mechanical and unique. From giant marble runs to interactive mechanical art, this kinetic kaleidoscope offers everyone hands-on, tried-and-tested fun, focusing on inclusivity. 

Spectacular shows and attractions, spellbinding storytelling and exhilarating experiences bring history alive. You can even stay over in a tower fit for kings and queens, or rest up in lodges within the castle grounds. A packed events calendar includes live-action days and birds of prey demonstrations, or discover Warwick’s darker side in the castle dungeon.

In the foothills of north Wales, this Victorian vision brought many firsts – the initial laburnum arch and magnolias in Britain were found here. These pioneering gardens were filled with plants collected by global explorers and today you can find national collections, sweeping lawns and gardens with rare varieties of plants, all cared for by the National Trust and set against the stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains. 

The garden was also used as a filming location for the 2020 remake of treasured children’s classic, The Secret Garden. As you stroll through the floral valley, keep an eye out for the stream where the children go swimming!  

If you think north Wales is a peaceful, tranquil location – think again. Between those soaring mountains and wildlife-filled forests, you’ll find the epic adventures of Zip World: a name synonymous with thrilling high ropes courses, underground trampoline parks and the fastest zip line on the planet. It has locations throughout the region, including the Conwy Valley and Penrhyn Quarry, offering activities for every age group. 

Standing tall for more than 700 years, this medieval fortress overlooks the pretty town of Conwy – and both are a joy to explore. It’s one of four north Wales castles to be celebrated by UNESCO for its cultural importance, and its events bring the area’s history to life.

This eco-friendly family theme park is all about sustainable fun, with rides for all ages, plus animal experiences and the chance to get hands-on with nature. From sliding through the forest on rubber rings, to a thrilling ride on the world’s first people-powered rollercoaster, a memorable day out is guaranteed.  

Built as a royal fortress over 700 years ago, Caernarfon Castle is still standing strong - not surprising when you read its hefty turrets and walls are 5.5 metres (18ft) thick. It towers over the banks of the River Seiont in north Wales, looking just as intimidating as it did when King Edward I lived here in the 1200s. It regularly hosts medieval battle reenactments, falconry displays, archery tournaments and weaponry making. It was also used for Prince Charles’ investiture ceremony in 1969 – an event later recreated here for The Crown Netflix series.

Brave the UK's tallest rollercoaster, The Big One, or meet cartoon favourites at Nickelodeon Land; every age and thrill level is catered for making for a great day out. Stretching along Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool's Pleasure Beach offers all the thrills and spills of the fair. With splash-tastic water rides, children's activities, shows and events throughout the year, the main season runs from April to October. If you don't fancy riding on The Big One, take a guided tour instead for a different perspective. 

From Marvel action heroes to British TV legends, snap a picture with your favourite famous people. Feel like you’ve stepped into the screen, with A-list stars all around! Located on the iconic Blackpool promenade, you couldn’t be in a better spot to explore the town’s top attractions.  

This tropical paradise with more than 18 waterslides and attractions is fun for all the family. At Britain's largest indoor water park, younger visitors can try the Caribbean Storm Treehouse, while the Master Blaster — the largest indoor rollercoaster waterslide — will tick thrill-seeker's boxes. Gold winner of the VisitEngland Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, Sandcastle makes sure that everyone has the best possible experience.   

In a beautiful gothic building at the heart of the city, this free museum is full of treasures from all over the world. Don’t miss the ancient Egyptian relics, prehistoric dinosaur bones, and Bronze Age jewellery from around Britain. Look out for curator talks and workshops too.

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!  

There’s over 1,000 years of history to discover at Durham Cathedral. Book your spot on a cathedral tour to hear the stories of the people who have influenced its history, before heading up the 325 steps to the top of the central tower. Harry Potter fans will recognise several spots in the cathedral that doubled as Hogwarts locations in the first two films (2001–2002) – but did you know that parts of Avengers: Endgame (2019) were filmed here too?  

From food to shopping, this ‘living history’ museum recreates English life in the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. Maybe you’ll try old-style fish and chips, meet a pit pony, or take a spin at the funfair? Beamish was also used as a filming location for Downton Abbey, and is set in 300 acres of countryside in County Durham.

The camera loves Alnwick Castle. Having starred as Hogwarts in two Harry Potter films, as well as featuring in lots of other productions, this Northumberland-based screen star doesn’t stop there. Its lively events include outdoor theatre, wand-making workshops and sorcery performances, as well as cannon shooting, falconry flights and roaming jesters. You can even try your hand at a broomstick flying class! 

One of the world’s best contemporary gardens, The Alnwick Garden combines modern and traditional landscapes in the heart of Northumberland. Featuring the world's largest treehouse, a Poison Garden and Bamboo Labyrinth, The Garden also offers an expansive Rose Garden, climbing clematis and honeysuckle, as well as interactive water features and stunning Ornamental Garden.

Overlooking the golden sands of Bamburgh beach, this magnificent fortress is one of Britain’s biggest inhabited castles. As well as exploring its historic exhibits and stunning sea views, you can stay overnight in its apartments: a little slice of history, all of your own. Did you know – you’ll be following in the high-octane footsteps of Indiana Jones? The opening scenes of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) were filmed at the castle.