Outdoor Movie Index

The most iconic movie locations across the UK to visit

From the iconic landscapes of Star Wars to the backdrops of King Arthur, the UK has been a hotspot for filmmakers looking to capture natural beauty. Its lakes, mountains, and forests have become the perfect canvas for some of the biggest blockbusters and series.

Whether it’s the majestic peaks of Scotland or the enchanted woodlands in Wales, GO Outdoors we have explored some of the UK’s most picturesque cinematic settings, uncovering the top regions that have brought stories to life. 

We will also delve into the UK locations featured in some of the highest-grossing movies worldwide, giving you even more reasons to lace up your walking boots, grab your waterproof jacket, and explore these breathtaking movie locations.

Visit the Lake District to witness the eerie villages shown in 28 Days Later

		Featured in
Rank	National park	Movies	TV series	Combined movies and series
1	Lake District	77	17	94
2	Peak District	27	9	36
2	Snowdonia	27	9	36
4	Dartmoor	27	3	30
5	North York Moors	18	4	22
6	Yorkshire Dales	15	4	19
7	Brecon Beacons	14	4	18
8	Cairngorms	12	2	14
9	Exmoor	11	2	13
10	The Broads	5	0	5

1. Lake District

94 movies and TV series appearances

The Lake District’s striking landscapes have served as perfect backdrops for a variety of iconic scenes across film and TV, making it the UK’s most featured national park. One of the most memorable sets in the Lake District is Peter Rabbit (2018), starring James Corden. Windermere’s charming village location provided a picturesque setting for Peter and his friends’ mischievous antics. 

In ITV’s Deep Water (2022), Windermere Lake again plays a central role, set around the serene but haunting waters. Take a stroll around the lake to see if the gripping mystery successfully captures the calmness of the waters.

The national park also played an important role in The Witcher (2019). The fantasy series captures the wild landscapes of the Lake District, which helps set the stage for epic battles and mystical scenes. Follow in Geralt’s footsteps over the rolling hills, look up at the towering trees and maybe even master the rugged mountains where he faced dangerous creatures.

If you fancy a spookier outing, visit the setting of 28 Days Later (2002). The Lake District’s desolate and haunting landscapes helped create a terrifying backdrop to the post-apocalyptic world. Hawkshead Village, a picturesque and quiet village featured in the opening scenes. It appears abandoned and overrun by nature, enhancing the sense of desolation after the outbreak of the virus.

Relive the zombie apocalypse scene in World War Z along Cornwall’s iconic coastline

			Featured in
Rank	National landscape	Country	Movies	TV series	Combined movies and series
1	Cornwall	England	238	79	317
2	Dorset	England	170	62	232
3	Isle of Wight	England	42	17	59
4	Surrey Hills	England	29	4	33
5	Anglesey	Wales	15	11	26
6	Loch Lomond	Scotland	12	4	16
6	Shetland	Scotland	12	4	16
8	Cotswolds	England	11	4	15
9	Chilterns	England	7	1	8
9	South Devon	England	6	2	8

1. Cornwall, England

317 movies and TV series appearances

Cornwall, with its rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, and charming countryside, has been a favourite film destination. Its stunning coastal vistas played a major role in the BBC’s Poldark series. Poldark showcases sweeping shots of the Cornish coastline, with dramatic cliffside views that echo the intense emotions of the show. Trevose Head, with its striking cliff-top views over Mother Ivey’s Bay, was used to underline the beauty of Poldark’s World.

The long-running TV series Doc Martin (2004-2022) extensively used Cornwall’s landscapes, filming in the village of Port Isaac. The picturesque fishing village and its cliffs and coves were featured throughout the series.

And if you’re after a truly unexpected cinematic experience, Cornwall has you covered there too. World War Z (2013) brought the island to the big screen with a pulse-pounding scene set against the haunting backdrop of St. Michael’s Mount. The medieval fortress, perched on its rocky island, became the perfect setting for the chaos of the global zombie pandemic, adding an apocalyptic twist to Cornwall’s timeless beauty.

Explore Harry Potter’s Forbidden Forest at Burnham Beeches

				Featured in
Rank	Forest	Country	Area	Movies	TV series	Combined movies and series
1	Burnham Beeches	England	Buckinghamshire	35	0	35
2	New Forest	England	Hampshire	13	7	20
3	Epping Forest	England	Essex	15	0	15
4	Sherwood Forest	England	Nottinghamshire	5	0	5
4	Ashdown Forest	England	Sussex	5	0	5
4	Swinley Forest	England	Surrey	5	0	5
7	Delamere Forest	England	Cheshire	4	0	4
8	Tollymore Forest Park	Northern Ireland		1	2	3
9	Alice Holt Forest	England	Hampshire	2	0	2
9	Kielder Forest	England	Northumberland	2	0	2
9	Wyre Forest	England	Worcestershire	2	0	2

1. Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire

35 movies and TV series appearances

One of the most famous movies to feature at Burnham Beeches is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007). The forest plays a huge role in the film, serving as the location for several key scenes in the wizarding world. The forest is used when Harry and his friends travel to the Ministry of Magic on a flying Thestral-drawn carriage. The eerie and ancient trees of Burnham Beeches give a sense of mystery, fitting the dark tone of the series. It is also used as the Forbidden Forest, thanks to its dense woodland and ancient towering trees. 

But Burnham Beeches isn’t just for wizards. The adrenaline-fueled film Legend (2015) harnessed the forest’s atmospheric landscapes to amp up the drama. In one of the many high-speed chase scenes, the wild, untamed feel of the woodland adds to the intensity, cranking up the tension with every twist and turn. It’s the kind of location that makes every moment more thrilling.

If historical fantasy is more your thing, King Arthur (2004) used Burnham Beeches to portray scenes that reflect the untamed wilderness of ancient Britain. It is used for the movie’s forest setting to depict moments of strategy and preparation before battle. The vast canopy of ancient trees served as an ideal backdrop for these intense moments, giving the film a raw look that emphasises its medieval setting.

Discover the majesty of Park House and experience sets from Bridgerton and The Crown

		Featured in
Rank	Filming location	Movies	TV series	Combined movies and series
1	Park House	113	18	131
2	Knebworth House	35	6	41
3	Waddesdon Manor	18	7	25
4	Beaulieu	22	2	24
5	Hever Castle	12	5	17
6	Bamburgh Castle	11	5	16
6	Castle Howard	6	10	16
8	Haddon Hall	11	2	13
9	Highclere Castle	9	2	11
9	Belvoir Castle	8	3	11

1. Park House, Norfolk

131 movies and TV series appearances

Located on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, Park House was Princess Diana’s childhood home and has been the private home of five generations of British Monarchs. The house stands on a 20,000-acre estate in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Park House graced The Dark Knight Rises (2012), where the estate served as the perfect setting for some of the movie’s high-stakes action clips, including a scene involving Bruce Wayne’s retreat from the chaos of Gotham City. The grandeur of Park House provided a striking contrast to the dark intensity of the movie, symbolising escape for the troubled hero.

For those who enjoy a bit of royal drama, The Crown (2016-2023) also filmed key scenes at the Sandringham Estate. The critically acclaimed Netflix series, which chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, brought the estate’s rich history to life, offering an exclusive peek into the royal family’s world. Visiting Park House means stepping into the very heart of British monarchy — and experiencing a living piece of history.

Recreate Thor’s visit to New Asgard in The Avengers at Inverness Castle

Rank	Movie name	Box office earnings (gross worldwide)	Year	Number of filming locations in the UK
1	Avengers: Endgame	£2,161,917,542	2019	2
2	Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens	£1,599,606,827	2015	4
3	Avengers: Infinity War	£1,585,129,757	2018	9
4	Avengers: Age of Ultron	£1,085,129,409	2015	11
5	Beauty and the Beast	£1,047,334,762	2017	2
6	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2	£1,036,845,011	2011	4
7	Deadpool & Wolverine	£1,033,426,628	2024	1
8	Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi	£1,030,532,097	2017	3
9	Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom	£1,012,044,818	2018	3
10	Spider-Man: Far from Home	£874,761,821	2019	4

Marvel

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centred on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. Several movies were filmed in iconic UK locations. Ready to step into the action? Here are two stunning spots where you can feel like you’re part of the adventure.

In Avengers: Endgame (2019), Durham Cathedral was used to film scenes set in the “New York” time heist sequence. The cathedral was used for scenes where the Avengers travel back in time to 2012 during the events of the first Avengers movie to retrieve the Tesseract. It served as the backdrop for the “Sacred Timeline”, where the Avengers are seen navigating through the chaos of the first battle in New York. The grand, soaring interior was used to depict key moments as the heroes attempt to retrieve the Tesseract from the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility.

Next, head to Inverness Castle in Scotland, featured in Avengers: Infinity War (2018),  serving as the backdrop for the scene involving Thor’s visit to the “New Asgard” in Norway. The specific scenes filmed at the castle were used to depict the fictional New Asgard, where Thor meets with his people after the events of Thor: Ragnarok. The castle’s striking architecture and stunning landscapes helped set the scene for this pivotal moment, tying into the narrative of Thor’s journey and the Asgardian’s struggle to find a new home after the destruction of Asgard.

Star Wars

Star Wars is an American epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas. The franchise began with the self-titled 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. 

The series has featured many UK filming locations, including Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens (2015). Skellig Michael in Ireland was used to film the exciting scenes on Ahch-To, the remote island where Luke Skywalker has been in self-imposed exile. The isolated island, with its rugged cliffs and monastic structures, served as the setting for the climactic scene at the end of the movie.

In Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Skellig Michael in Ireland was used to film the iconic scenes on Ahch-To, the remote island where Luke Skywalker has been in self-imposed exile. In the scene, Rey reaches the island with the intention of finding Luke Skywalker and bringing him back to the fight against the First Order. The filming on the island shows Rey climbing the steps leading to Luke’s secluded dwelling, where she finally offers him Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber, signalling the return of the Jedi to the galaxy’s conflict. The island’s natural beauty and history made it a perfect choice for the role of Ach-To in the Star Wars universe.

Derwentwater, a picturesque lake in the Lake District, was used to depict the water scenes near Ahch-To. In the film, Rey travels across the water to reach the island. The serene, stunning lake was chosen for its natural beauty and ability to evoke a sense of mystery, fitting the tone of Rey’s quest to find the last Jedi.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast is a Disney media franchise comprising a film series. The success of the original 1991 movie led to three direct-to-video follow-up films. In 2017, Disney released a live-action remake of the film.

Several scenes of the movie were filmed at the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire. The location was chosen for its enchanting natural beauty and timeless atmosphere, which fit with the film’s fairytale aesthetic. In the movie, the sequence where the villagers march towards the Beast’s castle is filmed at Moneybury Hill, within the estate. The “Dark forest” scenes, depicting the forest surrounding the Beast’s castle, were also filmed on the estate.

The Ashridge Estate, managed by the National Trust, is renowned for its ancient woodlands and has been featured in various movies, including Maleficent (2014) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). And when you walk the same paths, it feels as though you’re stepping into the heart of the stories themselves.

Harry Potter

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), Freshwater West Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, served as the location for Shell Cottage, the seaside home of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. The movie featured scenes where Harry mourns over Dobby’s grave near the cottage.

The filming team also constructed a temporary set resembling the cottage amidst the sand dunes of Freshwater West specifically for these scenes. Today, visitors can still find a memorial of Dobby in the dunes, and fans have placed pebbles and socks in tribute.

Hatfield House in Hertfordshire was also used to film scenes depicting Snape’s first memory of Lily. It delved into Severus Snape’s past, showcasing his initial encounter with Lily Evans before they attended Hogwarts.

Swinley Forest in Bracknell, Berkshire, was used to depict the edge of the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. In these scenes, Neville Longbottom stands bravely against Death Eaters at the entrance of the bridge near Hagrid’s hut. The scenes included Harry, Ron, and Hermione present, with the trio being captured by Snatchers and interactions with Death Eaters. The forest’s dense trees and terrain provided the perfect backdrop for these pivotal moments.

Jurassic Park

In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), Cragside House in Rothbury, Northumberland, was used to portray the exterior of Lockwood Manor, Benjamin Lockwood’s estate. Filming took place in the winter of 2016, capturing the house, its iconic bridge, and the surrounding coniferous landscape. These shots were digitally integrated into the film to create the setting for the dinosaur auction scene.

In Jurassic Park: Dominion (2022), The Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford served as the setting for the interior of Biosyn’s headquarters. The film features a lecture hall where Ian Malcolm delivers a speech, filmed in the Leonard Wolfson Auditorium of Wolfson College, also part of Oxford University.

Methodology

We created a seed list of the most searched UK national parks, national landscapes (AONBs), forests, and historic houses. 

Each location was searched on IMDb using the on-site filters to record the number of movies and TV series filmed there.

IMDb was used for the movies with the biggest box office earnings that were filmed in the UK. This data is accurate as of 19/03/2025. Movies with filming locations in studios were removed. The Barbie movie was removed from the ranking due to a lack of UK filming locations.

Sources

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/parks/england/cumbria/lake-district-national-park

https://www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/walks

https://www.chilterns.org.uk/map_marker/burnham-beeches-nature-reserve-walks/

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/england/norfolk/sandringham

https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/ideas-and-inspiration/film-and-tv/gallery-of-locations

https://chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter

https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/places-to-go/explore-derwent-water-and-keswick

https://jurassicpark.fandom.com/wiki/Biosyn_Research_Facility

https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/things-to-do/walking

https://www.komoot.com/highlight/1442746

https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/beaches/freshwater-west