You may not realize it but many of the movies you loved were filmed in England. In addition to the storylines and acting, you can enjoy feeling like you’re in the beautiful English countryside or seeing the iconic sights of London. In order to experience some of these famous backdrops firsthand, consider planning a movie-themed vacation throughout England.
HERE’S HOW:
Fast & Furious 6
Many Hollywood blockbusters, including “Fast & Furious 6,” have been shot throughout London. It’s easy to visit many of the places that served as the backdrop for the car-themed film. Just start out by driving over Lambeth Bridge. This bridge, which crosses the River Thames and is home to both car and foot traffic, was featured predominantly in the film. Your next step is to head over to Piccadilly Circus, which is at the intersection of five main roads in London. Take plenty of selfies by the famous fountain. One word of advice regarding driving in London: if you plan on renting a car, you might want to read up on the rules of the road prior to your trip. In order to drive safely — on the left side of the road, of course — visit a website like TopTests; the site is filled with mock theory tests that will help acquaint you with the UK’s driving rules.
National Lampoon’s European Vacation
Fans of the Griswolds can visit the places the movie family visited in this famous comedy. While you don’t necessarily have to stay in a fleabag London hotel like they did, you can circle around Lambeth Bridge several times — just be sure not to run into a poor bicyclist, like Clark did in the movie. Next, plan a trip to Stonehenge and marvel at the giant ancient stones. While you don’t want to copy the clueless Griswolds and knock the monoliths down like dominoes, you can experience the wonder of the region. The historic site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located two and a half hours from London.
Batman Begins
The 2005 film includes plenty of interior and exterior shots that were filmed around England. For example, scenes that featured The Gotham City State Courts were filmed in the art deco lobby of Senate House, located at the University of London in Bloomsbury. In addition, Wayne Manor is actually Mentmore Towers located in Mentmore, Buckinghamshire. The Victorian house was originally built in 1854 for the Rothschild banking family. In addition, the Bhutanese prison that is featured in the film is Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury, Essex. The fort is open to visitors on occasion — most reviewers on TripAdvisor called it a lovely, educational place to visit. Depending on when you are there, you might get both interior and exterior photos of the Batman site. Before you head out, visit CoalHouseFort.co.uk to see if it’s open.
Harry Potter
While the Harry Potter movies were not technically filmed at historic UK sites, you can still enjoy a wizard-themed movie trip by scheduling a visit at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. There you can walk around the original movie sets, such as Diagon Alley and Platform 9 3/4, and see the Hogwarts Express steam engine up close. Children can collect a complimentary activity passport and go on a Golden Snitch hunt, stamping activities in their books along the way. All are invited to taste-test Butterbeer, a movie-buff beverage reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch. The tour also allows you to see the props and costumes and learn about the real-life wizardry that created the movie’s special effects. Tickets are available at WBStudioTour.co.uk.
