With heart-warming tales of connection and togetherness, these popular Christmas films not only evoke the holiday spirit, but can inspire travellers to explore Britain’s diverse landscapes. From quaint snow-covered cottages to regal central squares, these locations have played starring roles in festive hits and serve up a visual feast alongside the traditional Christmas turkey.
Last Christmas: Christmas Eve in London
Set against the vibrant backdrop of London, Last Christmas weaves a tale of personal growth and romance. Iconic locations like Covent Garden, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus come alive with twinkling Christmas lights that capture the city’s holiday spirit. Featuring some of the capital’s most popular shopping destinations and festive shop fronts, visitors should also look out for Cecil Court, a charming narrow street near Leicester Square packed with bookshops and antiques stores.
Main picture: Christmas in Covent Garden, London, as seen in the film Last Christmas. Credit: VisitBritain.org
Paddington 1, 2 & 3: Heart-warming London adventures
Though not a traditional Christmas film, Paddington warms hearts during the festive season. Paddington Station’s iconic statue and picturesque backdrop invite travellers to embark on their own adventures. From the leafy streets of North London to manor house grandeur in Hertfordshire, the film’s locations inspire wanderlust. The Notting Hill residence of the Brown family was effectively portrayed in Primrose Hill (close to London Zoo and Camden Lock). Hatfield House in Hertfordshire played the role of the interior corridors of the Geographers Guild. To coincide the release of the new Paddington in Peru movie, fans can now journey through Paddington’s iconic stories at the new Paddington Bear Experience in London. Join the little bear in solving puzzles, complete challenges, and explore themed environments from his world in this interactive adventure.
The Holiday: Rural Surrey in the limelight
Director Nancy Meyers’ hit festive flick The Holiday uses several idyllic locations to depict the quintessential English country setting where stars Cameron Diaz and Jude Law find romance. The villages of Shere and Godalming in Surrey, where the British part of the film was shot, look exactly the same in real life as they do on the screen, with cobblestone streets and houses with colourful shutters and moss-covered roofs. Visitors can even enjoy a drink at the historic White Horse pub in Shere, which featured in several scenes. And while the characterful Rosehill Cottage was only developed for filming, it was inspired by Honeysuckle Cottage in the small picturesque commuter village of Holmbury St Mary.
Bridget Jones’ Diary: A Cotswolds love affair, Snowshill, Gloucestershire
Although primarily set in London, Renee Zellweger’s first meeting with Mark Darcy – played by the inimitable Colin Firth – in Bridget Jones’ Diary is set against the snow-dusted backdrop of the Cotswolds. The village of Snowshill, near Broadway, provided the setting for a party at her parent’s home, with the crew using fake snow as filming took place in the middle of summer. Packed with stone cottages and with hills rising up on three sides, the region is known for its unspoilt beauty, whatever the season.
Harry Potter: Spell-binding Britain
Another Christmas favourite, Harry Potter has put Britain firmly on the map for film-location hopping. Head to King’s Cross station’s Platform 9 3⁄4, to York’s own wonky timber-framed version of Diagon Alley, the giant cauldron located in Wiltshire’s Lacock Abbey, and creep around the cloisters of Gloucestershire Cathedral – the corridors of Hogwarts. Check out Oxford, the ‘city of dreaming spires’, with the famous Bodleian Library doubling up as the one at Hogwarts, while the vaulted Divinity School next door became Hogwarts Hospital – admitting students with broomstick injuries and back-firing spells. Budding wizards can also take part in broomstick flying lessons at Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle. For a full experience, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter gives fans the opportunity to check out original sets, animatronic creatures and special effects.
Doctor Who TV Series: Welsh wonders
The landscapes of Wales have played host to the iconic British science fiction TV series, Doctor Who. This popular long-running show has embarked on adventure-packed journeys across the country, especially in the cherished Christmas specials. Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales, has emerged as the epicentre of a few Doctor Who productions, welcoming the TARDIS to its city streets and parks. Visitors can stroll through the very locations where the Doctor’s adventures unfolded, like Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay, a public plaza paying homage to writer Roald Dahl. This picturesque setting has graced the screen in multiple Doctor Who episodes, as well as the medieval architecture and expansive grounds of the majestic Caerphilly Castle.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again: Edinburgh and Glasgow’s festive fantasy
Vanessa Hudgens returns in the sequel to the feel-good 2018 Netflix hit The Princess Switch. Scotland provides the backdrop, with the atmospheric surroundings of the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral and Mimi’s Bakehouse in Leith among the locations transformed into the fictional world of Belgravia for filming. To fully embrace the Christmas spirit and feel like a royal, stay in accommodation like the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, where a harmonious blend of Victorian design and contemporary amenities await. Alternatively, in Glasgow, One Devonshire Gardens, a Hotel Du Vin, is renowned for its exceptional dining experiences. In Edinburgh, travellers can opt for The Witchery, situated just beside Edinburgh Castle, or the Balmoral Hotel, which offers scenic views of the city.
Words: VisitBritain.org
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