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Take a walk in the footsteps of movie greats and uncover secrets of historic fortresses that set the backdrop for mighty film battles. Get ready to step into a world of film and TV locations across Britain. From Brighton’s shores to Scotland’s countryside taking a starring role in a new thrilling spy drama, there’s loads of movie magic to look forward to in 2023.

Whether you’re a movie buff seeking out the stories from the latest releases, or after that picture-perfect pose at the places that play host to your favourite TV show – Great Britain sets the scene to embark on a star-studded adventure.

Filming locations to visit in 2023

Empire of Light

A star-studded cast – including Olivia Colman, Michael Ward and Colin Firth – come together in Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light. Released in January 2023 in the UK, the film follows the relationship of cinema manager Hilary and new employee Stephen in Margate during the early 1980s.

Filming locations in Britain 

From ice-cream parlours to sea food festivals, the ‘Garden of England’ is meant for discovery.

Man and woman walking between vines at a vineyard

A town with bags of charm, head to Margate for tasty seafood, charming indie shops and a world class art gallery.

Young woman walking in front of a shop with pink signage
Dreamland

Transformed into the Empire Cinema for the film, the amusement park Dreamland in Margate sets the scene for multiple scenes. Get your skates on at the roller rink, up the adrenaline on the waltzers and look out for events bringing live music and festivals to the seaside town.

Worthing Pier

A part of Worthing’s coastline since 1862, Worthing Pier opened in 1862 and was designed by Sir Robert Rawlinson. The pier is now to home to an amusement arcade, Pavilion Theatre and bar, and is a popular spot for fishing. Venture out to the end of soaring sea views and unique look at Britain’s south coast.

My Policeman

Released in October 2022, director Michael Grandage – and actors including Harry Styles, Emma Corrin and Rupert Everett – bring a turbulent love affair set in 1950s Brighton to the screen. Based on the novel by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman explores homosexuality at a time where it was illegal in Britain.

Filming locations in Britain 

A waterfront playground with a whole lot of tales to tell, Brighton’s Palace Pier is a must-visit in the seaside city.

Close up of person holding ice cream cone on pier

Visit this 19th-century seaside ‘pleasure palace’ in the heart of Brighton to discover its colourful history.

Royal Pavilion at dusk, lit up in a range of vivid colours
The Dome Cinema

Explore this authentic Edwardian cinema in Worthing, along England’s southern coast and west of Brighton. The building first opened in 1911 and was originally used as an entertainment hall, including a roller-skating rink and theatre. Now it plays host to regular public film screenings – the perfect place to catch your favourite flick.

Peacehaven Cliffs

Stroll along the chalky cliffs of East Sussex for a unique coastal Britain experience. A hotbed for prehistoric nature relics, the Peacehaven Cliffs are a fossil hunters paradise. But look beyond the stories of its rocks for added adventure. Embark on part of the Greenwich Meridian Trail that follows a whopping 273-mile-long (439 km) route, and starts at the King George V monument on the cliff edge.

Hitchin Outdoor Pool

Eagle-eyed The Policeman fans will recognise Hitchin outdoor pool from a swimming scene between Harry Styles and Emma Corrin. Set amongst beautiful scenery, make a splash in the 50m heated outdoor pool which is open between May to September.

Argylle

Argylle is the hotly anticipated spy drama with some big names, including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston and English singer and songwriter Dua Lipa in her acting debut. Coming to Apple TV+ in 2023, the adaptation of the yet-to-be-released novel tells the story of a top-notch spy suffering from amnesia and his quest for revenge.

Filming locations in Britain

A fusion of modernity, baroque, Palladian and Gothic, Inveraray Castle was inspired by a sketch from the architect that brought Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard to Britain.

A view across the grounds of Inveraray Castle

Known for its white-water routes and appearances on the big screen, Glen Etive is an unmissable Scottish spot.

Two men, sitting on a large rock, taking a break

A jewel in the Chilterns, explore 45 acres of parkland around the Italianate villa, or discover Wycombe Village and Wycombe Hall for dramatic views and quaint lanes.

Visitors taking photographs at West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire
Edinburgh’s Parliament Square

In the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town wander the cobbled pathways to discover Parliament Square. Part of the city’s iconic Royal Mile, you’ll find Parliament House which houses the Supreme Courts of Scotland.

Fitzrovia

From immersing yourself into life-size Monopoly, to swinging a club at mini golf and getting into eccentric art – cool Fitzrovia has you covered. Located in London’s bohemian Borough of Camden, its buzzing with bars and restaurants bursting with international flavours.

Kent and East Sussex Railway

Ride into heritage and history at the Kent and Sussex Railway. Follow the railway walk which lies on the fringes of the High Weald Area, or choose discover steam locomotives and diesel railcars at the railway museum.

Indiana Jones 5

A movie franchise like no other, Harrison Ford returns in summer 2023 as the world’s favourite archaeologist come explorer. The fifth and final instalment in the saga sees Antonio Banderas and British actor Phoebe Waller-Bridge join the cast.

Filming locations in Britain

Overlooking the golden sands of Bamburgh beach, this magnificent fortress is one of Britain’s biggest inhabited castles.

View from a distance of a castle on hill near a beach

An exclusive island that, due to the tide, becomes inaccessible to the public twice a day, Holy Island of Linidisfarne is a sanctuary on Northumberland’s coast.

Visitors walking with their dog at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland

Travel back in time on a steam-powered train – between the market town of Pickering, and Whitby on the coast.

Steam train on train tracks and old-fashioned carriages at Goathland Railway Station
St Vincent Street, Glasgow

One of Glasgow city’s main streets, St Vincent Street dates back to the early 1800s. Look out for The Union Bank of Scotland building, designed by architect James Miller, constructed between 1924 – 1927.

Leaderfoot Viaduct

A marvellous structural feat and historic landmark in the Scottish Borders, Leaderfoot Viaduct, also known as the Drygrange Viaduct, has been a part of the landscape since the 19th century. Originally built for the Berwickshire Railway to pass over the River Tweed, it stands 126 feet above the floor of the river valley and was eventually closed to passenger traffic in 1948.

Glencoe

Immersed within the Highland’s Lochaber Geopark, Glencoe mountains are the product of ancient glaciers and volcanic eruptions. Movie lovers will spot its notorious landscapes from James Bond to Harry Potter and now Indianna Jones. Adventures can take to the slopes for skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking. While on the water, look to hop in a kayak for a journey across Loch Leven.

Napoleon

The film of epic proportions that sees Joaquin Phoenix star as French leader Napoleon, kicked off its filming at Lincoln Cathedral, the historic building which celebrated 950 years of existence in 2022. Telling a tale of love and power, the movie follows the French military general during his rise to leadership and is due to be released in 2023 on Apple TV+.

Filming locations in Britain

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Woman walking in Blenheim Palace gardens surrounded by greenery

An unmissable feat of architecture, Lincoln’s Cathedral has been towering over the city and county for over 950 years.

A tour group on a tour of Lincoln Cathedral, looking at a stained glass window
Boughton House

A hidden treasure in Northamptonshire’s countryside, Boughton House is a fusion of British and French style. Inherited by the 1st Duke of Montagu in 1683, French architectural influences fill the once Tudor building. Visit now for house tours, from the King Tours to Beds, Books and Beyond, escorted by insightful guides revealing all the secrets of the house.

Wonka

A chocolate lovers paradise, Wonka reprises everyone’s favourite eccentric founder and creator, Willy Wonka in winter 2023. Played by Timothée Chalamet, the film follows the young chocolatier and his adventures opening the world-renowned chocolate factory. British actors Olivia Colman and Rowan Atkinson also join the cast.

Filming locations in Britain

A wellness retreat for the Romans and Georgian architecture around every corner.

Woman swimming in a swimming pool at a spa

From fishing and fossil hunting to exhilarating boat tours, there’s heaps of ways to explore Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast.

Aerial view of people on sandy beach and swimming in sea
Mapledurham

Set around the banks of the River Thames, Mapledurham is a quaint village in Oxfordshire. From its historic watermill, to Mapledurham House, headquarters of the Mapledurham Estate, it’s played a starring role in many a film, including thriller The Eagle Has Landed.

Verulamium Park

Embark on a nature-infused exploration of 100 acres of parkland at St Albans’ Verulamium Park. A sanctuary in the cathedral city, it’s a hotbed for wildlife. Keen twitchers can spot birds across the ornamental lake, while walkers can enjoy part of the Ver River Trail. You can spy another Wonka filming location in St Albans at nearby Abbey Mill Lane.

Mission Impossible 7

This summer, Tom Cruise returns to his role as American spy Ethan Hunt for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, with English actors Simon Pegg and Vanessa Kirby joining the film series.

Filming locations in Britain

Voyage to one of Britain’s docklands for a snippet of Georgian life.

Children on a school visit at the Historic Dockyard Chatham
Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire

Iconic quaint limestone buildings, hidden winding lanes, rock climbing and stunning countryside make up the Peak District’s Stoney Middleton. Explore the village’s showstopper, an unusual octagonal church, or for a taste of adventure delve beneath the surface on a caving experience a short drive away.

Grand Central, Birmingham

Used to depict an airport terminal in Mission Impossible 7, Birmingham’s Grand Central is a city hub. Along with the Bullring, it makes up the largest shopping destination in the city, with the likes of Selfridges, Treetop Adventure Golf and Indian and Vietnamese grub from Mowgli.

Masters of the Air

From the creative minds of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg comes this American war-based drama. Airing on Apple TV+ in 2023, Masters of the Air is a TV series that depicts the story of the Eight Air Force, known as the Mighty Eight, and their fight against Hitler and Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Production began in Oxfordshire, with Austin Butler, Callum Turner and Anthony Boyle in starring roles.

Filming locations in Britain

Aylesbury

Just past the northern reaches of the picturesque Chiltern Hills you’ll discover the Vale of Aylesbury. Its Old Quarter comes alive with history and heritage, from the Old County Hall in Market Square to St Mary’s Church. While nearby Waddesdon Manor is a real showstopper, a French Renaissance-style château built in the 1870s.

Abingdon–on–Thames

Look beyond Oxford, 6 miles south in fact, and you’ll uncover a hidden Oxfordshire gem, Abingdon-on-Thames. With a history from the Saxon era, it holds the title of England’s oldest continuously inhabited town. History buffs will love the late fifteenth century Abbey Gateway, while explorers can hop aboard a self-drive motorboat for a unique way to see this market town.

Didcot Railway Centre

Get an insider look at locomotives at Didcot Railway Centre. From spying Victorian steam powered machines to getting into the controls at The Signalling Centre, there’s over 200 years of railway history to discover. Hailed as the ‘Living Museum of the Great Western Railway’, join a Discovery Day for a journey through the original 1932 Engine Shed.

Immerse yourself in film and TV with these experiences

Embark on a Roman adventure at St Albans Verulamium Museum, explore the Roman Hypocaust, Roman Theatre and city walls.

A family examining a display in Verulamium Museum, St Albans

Explore the heights of Lincoln Cathedral on a Tower Tour for spectacular views over the once Roman Legionary Fortress.

A view of the central area inside Lincoln Cathedral

One of London’s few remaining intact 1950s ballrooms, Rivoli Ballroom is booming with events that bring the party.

A performer with hoops during a show in the Rivoli Ballroom, London

Discover famous film and TV locations in Britain