Top 10 Film location walks
Maybe it’s just us, but leaping up to exclaim “I’ve been there!” when spotting familiar locations on the big screen is one of life’s little joys. No? Well, visiting these places is still well worth your time. Last year, major international productions shot and produced in the UK contributed a whopping £3.4bn to the economy. Here are 10 places to check out that have made top film locations...
1. CALANAIS STANDING
STONES, WESTERN ISLES
OK, so Disney Pixar’s animated adventure Brave wasn’t exactly filmed here (for obvious reasons!) but these 5000-year-old standing stones on the Isle of Lewis served as inspiration for the eerie forest settings. Parking at the visitor centre makes for a gentle stroll to the stones, while you can extend your walk to visit some of the smaller Calanais structures by following the path to the right of the main circle. The site can get busy, so be wary of peak times in the summer.
2. HENRHYD FALLS,
BRECON BEACONS
Wales’ tallest waterfall served as the iconic Batcave in The Dark Knight Rises. Walkers can experience the moment of magic captured on film by peering behind that curtain of crashing water – you’ll find a vibrant, glittering space to explore. The nearby Nant Lech river valley is also worth a visit.
3. DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK,
DEVON
The moors of Dartmoor National Park are featured in abundance throughout 2011’s War Horse. Notable areas featured in the film include Ringmoor Down near Sheepstor, the scenic Hexworthy Bridge and the striking Combeston Tor. The Grade II-listed Ditsworthy Warren House was also a prominent setting in the film and can be reached from Gutter Tor.
4. ASHDOWN FOREST, E. SUSSEX
The author AA Milne was profoundly inspired by Ashdown Forest, so it was a given it would be featured in the biopic Goodbye Christopher Robin. There are plenty of ‘Winnie the Pooh’ walks available if you want the immersive experience, from the 14 mile ‘Clumps Walk’ to the playful 1.5 mile Gills Lap route that takes you to some of the sites home to Pooh’s adventures. Head to ashdownforest.org and take your pick of the 13 suggested trails.
5. FOREST OF DEAN,
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
The lush Puzzlewood located in the Forest of Dean was used to film the climatic fight scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There are fun family trails to follow and intriguing caves to explore. A local car park makes for easy access, and if you want to extend your walk through the forest you should head towards the Cannop Ponds. Lightsabers optional.
6. FRESHWATER WEST,
PEMBROKESHIRE
This wild yet somewhat peaceful shore was the setting for one of the more heartbreaking scenes (no spoilers!) in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. There are plenty of National Trust paths to follow, some taking you beyond the beach towards the wildflower-scattered fields further inland. You can also spot an old, rustic shack that was once used as a seaweed-drying hut on the foreshore.
7. GLEN ETIVE,
ARGYLL AND BUTE
The vast open spaces surrounded by stark and impressive mountains made for an exciting setting during the finale of the Bond movie Skyfall. Following the A82 to Glen Etive makes it easy to spot the sweeping shots featured in the film, but if you want a real feel for the area then tackling Ben Cruachan or exploring the eerie Rannoch Moor is recommended. The impressive Loch Etive is not to be missed either.
8. DEVIL’S PULPIT, STIRLINGSHIRE
Here’s one for the kids: the Devil’s Pulpit gorge features in a few ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ scenes in Detective Pikachu. There are some places to park near the site, but there have been issues with crowding in the past so please be respectful when choosing where to leave your car if driving. Heading through the woods and following the rushing sounds of the water below will eventually lead you to the stone staircase down to the striking red bank. Just make sure no one is looking for Pokémon at the same time – the descent is steep and usually slippery.
9. HAWLEY WOODS, HAMPSHIRE
Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron burst onto the screen with an engrossing fight scene, the backdrop being Hampshire’s very own Hawley Woods. Thankfully, you can explore in peace now that it’s strictly a villain-free zone. Hawley Lake offers a pleasant circular route, or you can head through Hawley for a walk beside Blackwater River.
10. ROSLIN CHAPEL, MIDLOTHIAN
Many scenes in The Da Vinci Code were shot in the spectacular interior of Roslin Chapel, the 550-year-old preserved structure an apt setting for mysterious adventures. With the chapel under renovation during the time of filming a model was used for external shots, so be sure and visit to see the building in its proper glory. Make a day of your trip by heading right from the chapel car park towards Roslin Glen for a woodland walk. The ruinous Roslin Castle is also within walking distance.