Starring Great Britain: New campaign invites travelers to explore UK

Published on November 11, 2024

By: Paramita Sarkar

In a unique call to adventure, Visit Britain is set to launch the “Starring Great Britain” campaign in January 2025, inviting travelers worldwide to step into the settings of their favorite films and TV series.

Celebrating Britain’s picturesque landscapes and historic cities that have graced the big and small screens, the campaign aims to position the UK as a top travel destination for film and TV tourism.

Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain, highlighted the campaign’s focus on showcasing a wide array of filming locations beyond London, stating, “Nine out of 10 visitors to the UK are keen on exploring film and TV locations.”

With streaming platforms booming, more destinations like Bath, Oxford, and Manchester have found their place in global cinematic favorites.

Fans of Bridgerton will be thrilled by the Georgian splendor of Bath, including iconic sites like The Royal Crescent, which now offer guided tours and regency-themed experiences.

Meanwhile, admirers of last year’s Wonka film can explore Oxford’s historic colleges or visit Birmingham’s Cadbury World for a whimsical chocolate factory tour.

The UK offers something for everyone: Harry Potter enthusiasts can journey to Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle for a spellbinding Hogwarts experience with broomstick training, while Marvel fans can visit Manchester, which famously doubled as New York in Captain America.

Fans of Peaky Blinders can head to the Black Country Living Museum near Birmingham to step into the industrial backdrops of the series.

With the campaign emphasizing accessibility, these famous settings, including North Wales’ rugged coastlines featured in House of the Dragon and Holkham Beach in East Anglia seen in Shakespeare in Love, are open for exploration by the public.

As more regions build their cinematic identities, the UK film industry’s growth is also bolstering local communities.

Yates pointed out that “authentic travel experiences” align with the rising trend of regenerative tourism, which benefits communities by supporting local businesses.

The popularity of these locations has been a major driver of inbound tourism.

Britain saw nearly 39 million visitors in 2024, a figure expected to grow with rising interest from American and Asian markets.

“From city to countryside to coastline, it’s really easy to do it all in Britain,” Yates remarked, crediting the UK’s efficient train network.

With new agreements with major film studios and partnerships with the British Film Commission, travelers can expect to see Britain’s rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes featured on screens worldwide for years to come.

The “Starring Great Britain” campaign promises to bring iconic scenes to life, allowing fans to be part of the cinematic magic in some of the UK’s most captivating destinations.