Why Film Lovers Should Flock to the Cotswolds, UK

The incredibly successful Harry Potter films, starring Daniel Radcliffe, demanded a seriously good set, and what place is more magical than Gloucester Cathedral? The richly-vaulted cathedral cloisters were transformed into Hogwarts’ castle, and used particularly for the corridors leading to Gryffindor common room in the first two films in particular, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Interestingly, author J.K. Rowling was also born in Gloucestershire!

Everyone’s fave festive rom-com, The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law, was partly filmed at Cornwell Manor, in the village of Cornwell, close to Chipping Norton. The scene in question sees Diaz and Law going for a quintessentially English spot of lunch at a manor (Cornwell) after a countryside walk.

Alice Through the Looking Glass, the much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, was filmed in the historic Gloucester Docks. The film, which boasts an impressive cast including the likes of Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, shot scenes in the Cotswolds’ location in August 2014, with thousands of onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse. A number of huge ships were brought in to provide a backdrop for the set.

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen’s classic love story of a daring young woman with feminist ideas ahead of her time and the eligible young bachelor who falls for her, was brought to life in Cheltenham Town Hall, Gloucestershire’s largest entertainment venue. Built in 1902 as a concert hall, it features beautiful period décor, Corinthian-style columns, and to this day remains the hub of the area.

The classic snow-filled scenes from the first Bridget Jones film, Bridget Jones’ Diary, were actually shot in Snowshill, a timeless Gloucestershire village. The picturesque village featured a number of times throughout the movie, setting the scene for the idyllic Christmas at Bridget’s family home. A fun fact – the filming took place in July, which meant that the producers had to cover the entire village in fake snow!

Cotswolds’ Farm Park is a must-visit destination of the South West, and has acted as the backdrop for many different films, most notably the beautifully shot Braveheart. The park specialises in historical farm animals, including those from the Bronze and Iron Ages, Roman, Viking and Norman periods, and the Agricultural Revolution, which makes it a perfect setting for a historical drama.

Pierce Brosnan’s suave characterisation of James Bond made a visit to the Cotswolds when Die Another Day was filmed in 2002 near Bourton-on-the-Water, a village that lies within the Cotswolds’ ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. A few different locations were used; most notably a carpark in the area, which was the setting for the iconic ice-chase scenes from the film.

This prestigious country house played host to a number of celebs in 1993 for the filming of the classic The Remains of the Day. The all-star cast included Emma Thompson, James Fox, Christopher Reeve, Hugh Grant and Anthony Hopkins. The house was used again in 2001 as the RAF base seen in the incredible Pearl Harbour and again in 2002 for the gruesome zombie flick, 28 Days Later.

This woodland area featured in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens for a major scene involving the film’s villain, Kylo Ren, and his lightsaber. The forest, known for its outstanding beauty, also features in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and is said to have been a massive inspiration for Lord of the Rings‘ author JRR Tolkien in his creation of Middle-Earth.