Explore Britain’s rib-tickling comedy filming locations

Selhurst Park may be famous as Crystal Palace’s stadium, but did you know it’s also the home turf of AFC Richmond, the fictional football club in Ted Lasso? Go behind the scenes at the ground to explore the home and away dressing rooms, lounges and media areas in this fascinating tour that’s sure to put a smile on any football fan’s face. 

It may count Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace among its gems, but Richmond-upon-Thames' crowning glory for comedy fans is its Ted Lasso connection. This interactive tour will take you to 12 key locations used in filming, where you can have a pint at Ted’s favourite pub, the Crown and Anchor, and even snap a selfie outside his front door. 

Welcome to the home of British football, where nail-biting penalty shootouts have been won and dreams shattered. Immerse yourself in decades of footballing history on this tour, which lifts the curtain on this landmark venue. There’s no feeling like lining up in the players’ tunnel and striding out onto the pitch, like many legends of the game have done before you. 

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’.  

Have a right laugh at Britain's first LGBTQIA+ comedy club. From improv to preview shows and big and new names in the comedy world, there's a laugh for everyone to be had! Throughout the week see different acts take the stage, with new acts and material on a Tuesday and top-notch LGBTQIA+ comedy at All Star Thursdays.

Whether you catch just a couple of shows, or fill your trip with dawn-to-dusk live entertainment, this annual festival showcases Brighton’s incredible arts scene. Choose from dance, music, theatre and more – and don’t forget to vote for your favourite performance. Look out for the festival each spring. 

This award-winning venue doesn’t rest on its laurels: with top-quality cabaret, bottomless brunches, live music and club nights, there’s always something new to discover. Its comedy club is one of Brighton’s best, and presents new acts every weekend. 

A relatively new addition to Britain’s comedy scene, The Forge was founded by the award-winning Brighton comic Stephen Grant and attracts some of the country’s biggest names. Its regular comedy club nights see four leading lights take to the stage at the Ironworks Studios, and keep an eye out for the touring big names who host one (wo)man shows here, too.  

Britain’s best stand-up acts, crisp craft beer and top-notch nosh – what more could you want? Every summer, Brighton’s Preston Park welcomes some of comedy’s biggest names for five days of quick-witted fun in the atmospheric big top. 

Dine with a difference at this dazzling entertainment venue, where three-course suppers are served against a backdrop of breathtaking music, dance and song. Its drag and burlesque brunches are legendary too – with outrageous laughs and Prosecco aplenty.

 

Symonds Yat is the star of the show – especially the gorgeous Scandinavian-inspired chalet that’s home to Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) and her son, Otis (Asa Butterfield), in the series. Formerly a guest house, it’s now a private home, but there’s plenty else to enchant in this town of two halves – quite literally, as it’s split in two by the River Wye. For some of the best views of the Wye Valley, head to Symonds Yat Rock, an ancient hill fort where peregrine falcons, buzzards and ospreys soar above. 

Dubbed ‘The Friendly Forest Line’, the Dean Forest Railway is a fabulous way to experience this woodland that’s steeped in legend. For an unusual day out, join one of their special experiences, from ‘Murder Mystery on a Steam Train’ to ‘Evening Fish & Chip Steam Train’. If the railway looks familiar, it’s because it featured in series two of Sex Education.

Whatever the season, Mallards Pike welcomes outdoors lovers for a stroll, cycle or even a spot of orienteering – Gruffalo style! Did you know it appeared in Sex Education series three, standing in for France?

A favourite destination in the Wye Valley, Tintern has also proved popular with the cast of Sex Education. Characters are often seen cycling along the River Wye here, and you’ll regularly spot Otis and Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) crossing Tintern’s iconic Wireworks Bridge. Although now ruined, the gothic masterpiece of Tintern Abbey is a must-visit, as is the picturesque village itself.

Breathtaking stunts, beautiful horses and barrels of laughs with Tweedy the Clown: there’s plenty of fun to be had in the big top at Giffords Circus. The circus is based in Stroud, Gloucestershire but tours around the south of England during the summer.  

One of the biggest and longest-running comedy festivals in the UK, check out the jokes and boost your endorphins through the power of laughter. With over 700 shows taking place over 19 days, look out for events and performances dotted around venues in the city centre. The festival normally takes place in February. 

Stretch your legs and tickle your funnybone on this comedy walking tour of Nottingham, which is hosted by a professional comedian. As well as excellent jokes, you’ll enjoy a sideways look at the city’s history and heritage, with a choice of small-group tours and tailormade private trips. The exact route is kept under-wraps until the day, to avoid spoiling the surprise, but expect an entertaining primer on all-things Nottingham. 

From Shakespearean plays and classical ballet, to stand-up comedy, live interviews and children’s entertainment, this venue has it all. To explore deeper, book a backstage tour: you’ll discover the wardrobe department, props room, stage wings and beyond. 

Is it an art gallery, a live music venue or a workshop space? Centrala is all of these things, and much more – in celebration of Central and Eastern European cultures. Amid the art shows and live interviews, look out for rock gigs, drawing lessons, comedy nights and children’s events. 

Whatever tickles your funnybone, you’ll find it at this eclectic comedy festival: from big-name stars to hot new talents, the line-up is full of stand-up, slapstick, musicals and more. It has been raising laughs for over 20 years at venues all over the city, and normally takes place in October. 

Gasp at daring stunts, marvel at the acrobats, and laugh at the clowns at the UK’s oldest permanent circus, with new shows on the horizon. Entertaining audiences for over 125 years, the Blackpool Tower Circus is the oldest permanent circus in the world, sitting proudly in the centre of the town on the Blackpool Promenade. The new season kicks off in February.

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. 

This new museum brings the razzle-dazzle with six galleries packed with immersive entertainment. Detailing Blackpool's seaside experience throughout the 20th century, get behind the scenes of magic shops, comedians, conjurers, ballroom dancing, Blackpool’s illuminations and more.

As Lancashire’s only designated comedy venue, Comedy Station is the region’s go-to for big laughs. A stone’s throw from the Tower, it brings some of the circuit’s biggest names to its stage every week from Thursday to Sunday. Since it opened in 2002, almost 6,000 comedians have performed here, including big British names like Jason Manford and Bobby Ball. 

Enjoy the best of British touring theatre shows at The Grand Theatre, entertaining audiences since 1894. From family performances to accessible events, comedy shows, musicals, plays and more, the Grade II listed building is a showstopper in itself. 

Be dazzled by stand-up's brightest stars at this spring event, held at over 50 venues around Glasgow in March. Big names on the bill include Russell Kane, Zoe Lyons and Jamali Maddox – and you’re sure to discover some new favourite comedians along the way.  

Head into the basement of a former school to find this popular comedy club, which helped launch the careers of top Scottish comic Kevin Bridges. If you fancy having a go yourself, take to the stage on Tuesdays for Red Raw, The Stand’s open mic night – or simply take a seat in the audience to see the stars of tomorrow. 

The Tron Theatre presents some of Scotland’s best new writing. Housed in a 500-year-old building, its eclectic line-up of performances includes plenty of comedy throughout the year, alongside modern and humourous twists on classic shows.  

Comedy, magic, acrobatics – it's all on the agenda at Wild Cabaret. Tuck into a delightful three-course meal while the talented entertainers work their magic. Look out for the special Family Cabaret Shows, where youngsters can get involved in the fun. 

See the biggest names in music in action at this vast venue, which welcomes acts as diverse as Lionel Richie, Iron Maiden and Kylie in 2025. It’s also a great place to catch comedians on tour, with both John Bishop and Jimmy Carr on the bill. Did you know: the arena makes a guest appearance in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga as the host venue of the fictional Eurovision? 

Witness an explosion of creative energy as Edinburgh hosts stand-up comedy, music, dance and more – for three action-packed weeks in August. Performers take to stages all over the city, as well as outdoor spaces, pubs and other unexpected cultural hotspots. Great fun!

Join Edinburgh’s only walking tour led by a professional, award-winning comedian and historian for a laugh-a-minute visit to the city. Scottish stand-up comedian Daniel Downie will take you along the cobbles of Edinburgh’s Old Town, regaling you with amusing tales about the city’s history and culture along the way. Whisky fans – look out for the Comedy Whisky Tasting experience.  

Straddling the Old and New Towns, Princes Street Gardens is an urban oasis in the heart of Edinburgh. Here you’ll find the Scottish National Gallery, with its treasured artworks, and the ever-popular Edinburgh Christmas Markets. In Netflix’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Edinburgh is the host of a fictional edition of Eurovision, and the gardens’ Ross Fountain makes a cameo.  

Part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calton Hill is where you’ll find some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, including the National Monument, Scotland’s memorial to its fallen soldiers and sailors in the Napoleonic Wars. In Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams enjoy the views from Calton Hill – they're especially beautiful at sunrise.  

This intimate venue is described as the ‘beating heart’ of the Fringe – but even if you’re visiting outside of festival season, great laughs await at Monkey Barrel Comedy in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Enjoy top-notch stand-up from big names and up-and-coming comics almost every day of the week. Mondays are open mic nights – if you’re brave enough!