Dive into history on this period drama film locations tour

Welcome to the previous home of Mary, Queen of Scots, offering guided tours, royal exhibitions and opulent afternoon teas. Its state rooms have been used by Britain’s kings and queens for hundreds of years, and it sits right on the Scottish capital’s Royal Mile – surrounded by pristine gardens. Fans of historic fantasy Outlander may know Holyroodhouse best as the home of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the real-life royal with a starring role in the show.  

Get lost in the cobbled alleyways of Edinburgh’s Old Town, topped by the impressive Edinburgh Castle. Take a self-guided audio tour and meander through the alleyways and architecture of the Old Town, and climb Calton Hill for outstanding views across the city, the sea and beyond. In season three of Outlander, the characters visit Edinburgh for the first time and explore the Old Town Streets. Most notably, Jamie Fraser’s print shop can be found on Bakehouse Close.  

The elegant crescents and wide walkways of the Georgian New Town have also lent themselves to period filming, such as Apple TV+'s The Buccaneers and historical drama Belgravia. 

This huge museum showcases everything from art and fashion to science and the natural world, with centuries of Scottish history and world culture covered. The permanent ‘Scotland Transformed’ exhibit focuses on the 18th and early 19th centuries and features a silver picnic set made for Bonnie Prince Charlie – a replica for which can be spotted in Outlander season three!  

Stretching between the Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh’s famous thoroughfare is best-known for its historic sights – but it’s also the place to buy top-quality souvenirs. Look out for authentic Scotch tweed, kilts, whiskies and local delicacies.

Perched on top of a dormant volcano at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is where you’ll find the Scottish Crown Jewels, the One O’Clock Gun and the National War Museum.

The intricate interiors of this beautiful stately home are equally as impressive as its grand architecture. Its verdant gardens are dramatic in every season – take a stroll around the lake to channel your inner Lord or Lady. Notice something familiar about Castle Howard? It had a starring role in Bridgerton’s first season, doubling up as Clyvedon Castle.

Journey through Viking past and discover what life was like in 10th-century Britain. Jorvik Viking Centre brings the sights and even the smells of the Norse world alive. Check out its Ride Experience and travel back with animatronic Vikings thrusting the whole experience to life.

Discover Victorian Britain at this village, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and on the European Route of Industrial Heritage. Visit the free-to-enter Salts Mills, dive into vintage and craft fairs at Victoria Hall or venture out on the Shipley Glen Tramway. From historic buildings to pretty parks, there’s so much to explore here.  

It’s full steam ahead, with vintage trains, beer fairs and even a chance to drive a locomotive for yourself on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The heritage railway holds over 150 years of history in its tracks and travels through the stunning Brontë country. Board the train for a steam-fuelled ride through Yorkshire’s valleys – you might even end up sitting in the same seat as Tommy Shelby! That’s right, the railway’s vintage aesthetic lent itself to several scenes of the post-war gangster drama, Peaky Blinders. 

Discover the childhood home of Britain’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. Tour this fascinating home in the heart of town and discover the place that shaped the young bard – the third of eight children belonging to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Listen to family stories and learn how Shakespeare's legacy continues to shape Britain today. 

Discover what life was really like in Tudor times in this immersive experience in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. This popular living history museum, based in a historic 16th-century building, lets you see, smell and taste Tudor life. There’s also a Shakespeare tour and spooky ghost tour which takes place after dark, when the museum shuts.

Immerse yourself in sixteenth century Stratford-upon-Avon; explore the room where William Shakespeare sat as a pupil in the 1570s, and experience what it was like to be a schoolboy in Tudor times with Shakespeare’s teacher, Master Jenkins. Discover the space where young William saw plays performed by the greatest actors of the day and learn to write with a swan’s feather quill. Stratford-upon-Avon’s Guildhall, home to a series of rare medieval wall paintings, provides the missing chapter of the story of Shakespeare's life – his education and the inspiration that led him to become the world’s greatest playwright.

You can't beat seeing a Shakespeare play in the hometown of the bard himself! Head to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon for an unforgettable cultural experience. Explore backstage during one of its tours and discover its costume workshop.

The 500-year-old Tudor cottage was where the young Anne was born and raised, and in later years the scribe would visit her. You can see original furniture, wander through its stunning gardens and enjoy a sculpture trail inspired by the bard’s life.

Explore fashionable life in 18th-century Georgian Bath at this magnificently restored town-house museum, which doubled as the home of the Featheringtons in Bridgerton. The museum has been decorated and furnished just as it would have looked during the period 1776-1796.

History meets Hollywood on this walking tour of Bath, which is themed around the hit Netflix series, Bridgerton. Listening to a soundtrack from the show, you’ll discover the houses of Lady Danbury and the Featheringtons, visit the real-life ​​'Modiste' – Madame Delacroix's dress shop – and much more. Whether you choose a small-group or private tour, it will be packed with behind-the-scenes gossip and real-life Bath history, too.

Located in a beautiful Georgian building in the centre of Bath, fans can step into Jane Austen’s world by visiting this museum chronicling her life and works. Afterwards, why not enjoy cake and tea in the upstairs Regency Tea Room?

Tour the original Roman Baths and discover fascinating archaeological finds from pre-Roman and Roman Britain. Discover the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House and finds from Roman Bath as you delve into pre-Roman and Roman Britain at this major attraction.

Standing at the heart of the city for centuries, this former monastery is one of Bath’s most magnificent monuments. Maybe you’ll explore its 1,300-year history on a guided tour, light a candle for a loved one, or catch a spine-tingling music recital? As well as wheelchair-accessible tours of the Abbey’s ground floor, you can climb the 212 steps to the top of the tower for breathtaking views of Bath and beyond. 

Nearby Abbey Green is a charming cobbled square full of independent coffee shops and quirky stores. Look out for the Abbey Deli, which you may recognise as the Modiste Dress Shop in Bridgerton!

Will you brave the Haunted Gallery, join a tasty Tudor cooking workshop, or catch outdoor movies and food festivals in its magnificent grounds? King Henry VIII’s home is packed with fun things to do, all bringing history to life. Several of the palace’s regal locations have been featured in Bridgerton, from its cobbled courtyards to perfectly manicured gardens. Why not travel back to the Regency era and visit for yourself?  

You’ve admired London’s royal landmarks on screen – now discover them for yourself on this themed walking tour. Taking in the grandeur of The Strand, Clarence House, Buckingham Palace and more, this is a treat for every fan of The Crown.

Want to explore inside the Royal Family’s iconic London home? On selected dates, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to visitors. Take the chance to marvel at the lavish Throne Room, gaze over the gardens, and see the Changing of the Guard ceremony up close.

From outdoor movie screenings in summer and an ice rink in winter, to its vibrant exhibitions of art, crafts and photography, there’s always something on at Somerset House. The mighty architecture dates back to 1547, when it was a palace for the Duke of Somerset. Its historic setting makes it a perfect location for period filming: it featured in 2023's Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix! 

Revealing the human history of Britain’s conflicts, the world’s largest museum of war is both poignant and fascinating. Featuring uniforms, tanks, artworks and weaponry, all with their own unique stories. There is even a WWII Spitfire aircraft in the atrium.

Edge south of central London and you’ll find the historic borough of Greenwich. Stand on the world-famous Meridian Line – home to Greenwich Mean Time, by which the world tells the time. Check out the Royal Park, the National Maritime Museum and climb aboard the oldest surviving tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. An iconic scene from the 2023 Napoleon biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix was filmed here, in which the military leader uses a cannon to stamp down a rebellion.