Scene-stealing landscapes? Check. Red carpet treatment? Check. When it comes to set-jetting, Britain ticks all the boxes – and more.
It’s time for visitors to go behind the scenes of some of the summer’s biggest blockbusters where our scenery plays a starring role.
Think ‘wheely’ good fun at Silverstone to celebrate the release of director Joseph Kosinski’s F1, or caving at Cheddar Gorge as seen in 28 Years Later. Now that’s Britain’s kind of cliffhanger.
F1
Strap in to experience the fast and furious world of Formula 1 as it celebrates its 75th birthday. F1, starring Brad Pitt, promises all the thrills and spills of top-level motorsport – and where better to film it than in Britain? After all, the British Grand Prix brings motorsport’s biggest names to the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire every summer. But there’s plenty of action to be had year-round at the neighbouring Silverstone Museum, including state-of-the-art simulators and Scalextric tracks for that race-day buzz. Alternatively, see more F1 cars up-close at the New Forest’s National Motor Museum, showcasing Britain’s motoring heritage.
Daring drivers can put their off-road skills to the ultimate test on a Land Rover Driving Experience, with muddy ditches, rocky hills and swirling streams available at nine locations across England and Scotland. Or the whole family can go full throttle at the F1 Arcade, in London or Birmingham.
The Witcher
Everyone’s favourite monster-hunter for hire is back on screens this year – and so is Britain. Steeped in myths and legends, Snowdonia (Eryri) is an ideal stomping ground for The Witcher, and scenes from series four will unfold in the lakeside town of Llanberis. A land renowned for adventure, see the National Park from a new perspective at Zip World Betws-y-Coed, with a zip safari, forest coaster and giant swing.
In south-east England, the mighty Seven Sisters are also slated to appear in series four. The vast chalk cliffs, part of the South Downs National Park, are made for walking and wildlife-watching. Look out for Surrey’s Thursley National Nature Reserve too, a paradise for birders.
More adventures await at mystical Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean. Think twisted trees, mossy rocks and winding paths – no wonder it inspired the landscapes of Takodana in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Welcome to Wrexham
It may be small, but Wrexham is a city with serious star power. Fuel up before a game at the STōK Cae Ras stadium at Tŷ Pawb – part-food court, part-shopping and arts destination, with 30 independent traders. The UNESCO-listed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is 20 minutes south of the city, and the most exhilarating way to experience it is by canoe. Bearded Men Adventures and Ty Nant Outdoors both offer tours for the daring.
For more footballing fun, combine a trip to Wrexham with a cross-border adventure. Kick off the day in Liverpool with the Anfield Abseil, which takes visitors to the Main Stand roof of Liverpool FC’s Anfield for panoramic views of the stadium and the city, before an epic 100ft descent. In Manchester, there’s the National Football Museum to explore – that’s four floors of memorabilia and interactive exhibits dedicated to ‘the beautiful game’.
Jurassic World Rebirth
Like the filmmakers behind Napoleon, Bridgerton, The Crown and many more, the Jurassic World Rebirthteam chose London’s Old Royal Naval College, in Greenwich, as their backdrop. Don’t miss its Painted Hall, dubbed ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’.
The Greenwich Royal Museums Day Pass is an excellent value way to see this neighbourhood’s other sites, including the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark. For an extra cost, there’s the chance to climb the Cutty Sark’s rig for ship-shape views of East London. Visitors with a head for heights will also love Up at The O2, climbing the venue’s famous roof for incredible views of the capital’s skyline, from sunrise to twilight. Finish off at Greenwich Market for shopping galore, as well as food stalls offering classic British and global snackable cuisine.
A trip to Britain’s natural history museums brings Jurassic World’s beasts to life. Come face-to-face with Stan the T-Rex at the Manchester Museum and glimpse an enormous woolly mammoth at the National Museum Cardiff. But our museums are anything but stuck in the past – there’s everything from a ‘Dino Snores’ sleepover to a Dino Disco on the agenda for kids this year at London’s Natural History Museum.
28 Years Later
Britain also stars in 28 Years Later, the latest addition to director Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later saga. In Northumberland, Lindisfarne rolled out the red carpet for the cast. Join local guide Mary Gunn on a Hidden Holy Island Guided Walk to get under the skin of this beauty spot, then stay overnight at the vast Kielder Forest, a natural adventure playground.
City life beckons in Newcastle, where film crews were also spotted. Go underground on a tour of the Victoria Tunnel, an old wagonway that tells the story of Newcastle during the 19th century and World War II. For more spine-tingling stories, join a Newcastle True Crime Tour.
If that’s not spooky enough, the York Dungeon promises the ultimate fright night, with nine live shows bringing to life some of the city’s most fearsome residents. Or hop aboard the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, which runs regular murder mystery events through the glorious North Yorkshire countryside.
Within easy reach of Bristol is Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, which provided suitably dramatic landscapes for 28 Years Later. The gorge offers rock-climbing, free-falling, caving and escape room experiences to satisfy every adventurer. For a more relaxed day out, try a Wine and Cheese tour of the Cheddar Valley, complete with lunch at The Pony Chew Valley to sample some of the region’s top produce. Scenes were also shot in Teignmouth in Devon, accessible by direct train from London Paddington. Take the Taste of the Teign Food and Drink Trail for a foodie journey of discovery.
Outdoor cinema experiences to enjoy this summer
Nothing beats a night at the cinema – and it’s even better in the fresh air. London’s Rooftop Film Club, in Peckham and Stratford, is serving up a summer of blockbusters in spectacular open-air settings. Secret Cinema is also bringing its latest immersive production of Grease to Battersea Park from 1 August to 7 September 2025, with a cast of 30 performers.
Elsewhere, Adventure Cinema and Cinestock are pitching up at Britain’s heritage properties for a breathtaking backdrop, while in south Wales, Wonder Cinema is bringing back drive-in cinema experiences. Finally, Edinburgh’s Square Cinema returns from 13 to 15 June 2025 for a free packed weekend of film.
Main Image: Cheddar Gorge in Somerset
Source: Visit Britain
