Other TV & film locations to cruise
The coastline of the UK and Ireland has long attracted film directors. Here are some other film and TV locations to sail to:
AMBLE, NORTHUMBERLAND, FOR ALNWICK CASTLE
Visitors to Alnwick Castle will recognise it from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The Outer Bailey is where Harry and his friends had broomstick flying lessons; the Inner Bailey was the spot where Harry and Ron crashed the Weasleys’ flying car. The castle’s state rooms have also appeared in ITV’S Downton Abbey. It is just a 30-minute bus ride from Amble Marina (www.amble.co.uk) to Alnwick Castle.
Amble has also been in the limelight as a location for the ITV detective drama Vera. Locations throughout Northumberland and Newcastle have been chosen as the setting for the long-running series, including Blyth, which is a short sail down the coast.
GREENWICH, LONDON, FOR THE OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE
There are numerous film locations around the capital but the Old Royal Naval College is one of the most popular. It has a starring role as Buckingham Palace in The Crown, and has featured in other notable productions such as The Madness of King George, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Iron Lady, Les Misérables, and Cruella. For details of tours, visit www.ornc.org.
Greenwich Yacht Club offers visitor moorings and is only a short walk from the college (take a look at www.greenwichyachtclub.co.uk).
LULWORTH COVE, DORSET
This circular cove is a popular tourist attraction and was used for the final scene in the 2013 Brad Pitt action horror film, World War Z. Anchoring is best in the north east corner of the cove.
The beach scene in the children’s comedy Nanny Mcphee was filmed at nearby Durdle Door, as were scenes from the 2015 film adaptation of Dorset’s most famous offspring, thomas Hardy’s, classic novel Far from the Madding Crowd.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
TV detective drama Rebus was filmed all over the city including Leith Docks and Port Edgar Marina (www.portedgar.co.uk), which offers visitor berthing. Princes Street, Calton Road, and Regent Bridge is where Trainspotting’s Renton and his friends are chased by the police in the 1996 film. A short bus ride south takes you to Rosslyn Chapel, which features in the climax of The Da Vinci Code
DINGLE, IRELAND
Dunquin overlooking the Blasket Islands was the setting of Kirray, the fictional village which was built for the 1970’s David Lean classic, Ryan’s Daughter. Nearby Dunmore Head and Slea Head also featured. Dingle Harbour has a good marina (www.dinglemarina.ie), and is an hour’s bus ride from Dunquin.