Feast Your Eyes On These Beautiful English Film Locations

Take a guided tour around the second oldest university in the English-speaking world – it dates back to 1209. During your visit, try not to bump into Holmes’ archenemy, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), on campus. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), directed by Guy Richie, was filmed around the University, where Moriarty is a professor. The walk through the beautiful grounds which are surrounded by greenery, striking architecture and even museums, traces the famous detective’s steps. There are over 150 departments in total at the University.
Cambridge University, The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambride, UK, 01223 337733
Whilst on the tour and visiting Trinity and King’s College (two of 29 colleges at the University: 22 are for undergraduates, 4 for mature students and 3 for females only) those most attentive can look out for characters from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) which uses these two Colleges in the opening scenes of the film. Once the University’s striking grounds have been seen and you’re out and about in Cambridge, consider strolling down to the river Cam for some punting. An advised stop off is The Old Crown for a bite to eat — the puddings come highly recommended.

Trinity College, Cambridge, UK, 01223 338400

Kings College, King’s Parade, Cambridge, UK, 01223 331100

The Old Crown, 89 High St, Girton, Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, 01223 277217

After visiting central Durham, Easington Colliery, just 22 minutes away by bus or car, is another top destination for ballet and classic film fans. Easington Colliery is located on Durham’s Heritage coast and is the fictitious town of Everington, home to Billy Elliot (2000).Along these roads are where the scenes of Billy (Jamie Bell) dancing out of anger and frustration after his father refuses to let him dance were filmed. The house used for Billy’s home has been demolished, but nearby the spot where Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters) drops him off after dance lessons is still there on Angus Street. You can also walk 2 minutes around the corner to see where Billy’s brother (Jamie Draven) gets arrested after being chased by police on Anthony Street. From atop the hill there is superb view of the North sea.

Miss Potter (2006), starring Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter, was filmed around the spectacular Lake District. The area is the biggest National Park out of 15 in England, and is comprised of whimsical lakes and soft mountains. You can visit the highest mountain in the park, Scafell Pike (image 10), that is 3210 feet tall (978 metres) and even the largest and longest lake in England. Lake Windermere is 14.8 square kilometres and 10.5 miles long (16.9 kilometres).
Tranquil picnics are common on the grassy planes where one can take in the landscape that enchanted the real Miss Potter. The surrounding scenery inspired her children’s books and delicate drawings. It is hard not to fall in love with the view that is overwhelming with bright to dark greens and hues of blue. Not to mention the wild flowers that sprout through scattered patches of grass.

If fans really wanted to embody Miss Potter, then there is a tour available of the film locations used. The tour starts with a leisurely cruise on Lake Windermere, where the spectacular sights will be in abundance and chats with local fishermen will add to the experience. From the middle of the lake, all that can be seen is the undisturbed nature. This area of the Lake District offers panoramic views of high peaks, open skies and sparkling waters.

The tour then leads to Hill Top Farm to see the 17th century cottage in which the real Miss Potter wrote her stories. The garden features in many of Miss Potter’s drawings and it is no surprise considering it boasts a range of spectacular flowers such as honeysuckles, peonies, lavender and roses. There are even fruit plants like strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb and currants giving life to the grounds. For nature lovers, this tranquil spot will seem like paradise.

Hill Top Farm, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, UK, 015394 36269

As a perfect end to the day after leaving Antony house, admirers of Alice in Wonderland can stop by the nearby harbor of Charlestown. This is the dock where Alice (Mia Wasikowska) leaves. The harbor is also the setting for older films such as The Eagle Has Landed (1976) directed by John Sturges and starring Michael Cane, Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall and The Three Musketeers (1993) directed by Stephen Herek and starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and Chris O’Donnell.This is a small but quaint dock full of history waiting to be learnt about the port in its more affluent days, the involvement of the town during the war and the countless stories of shipwrecks. It is a historical part of Cornwall and began as a small excavated dock in 1792 as the only shipping outlet in the entire area. Later, expansions designed by Charles Rashleigh, occurred and remain to shape the dock today. However, before any of the changes, in 1790, there were only 9 fishermen and their families living in Charlestown.