Watch this episode of Big Blend Radio’s English Connection Show as historian and tour guide Glynn Burrows explores the fascinating world of filming locations across England. From iconic TV series to major films, discover how real places and studio sets come together to tell unforgettable stories. Scroll down to read Glynn’s accompanying article and explore the destinations behind the scenes.

I get told it all the time: “This is just like a film set!” And truth be told, they’re not wrong. We’re incredibly fortunate in Britain — almost anywhere can pass for a period drama with just a touch of dressing and a few modern bits hidden away. Wander through many of our towns and villages and it feels as though you’ve stepped straight back into the world of Jane Austen, the age of knights and castles, or even the days of the Romans.

What makes it all the more magical is that so many well‑known films use real buildings rather than polystyrene and plywood sets. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a leisurely trip around places that look almost too perfect to be real.

Whenever I watch a blockbuster filmed somewhere I know well, I always wish they’d leave it looking like that — without the modern signs, road markings, and cars that so often spoil what could easily pass for a nineteenth‑century masterpiece. The last time I was in Bath, I found myself wishing they’d ban cars from parking in front of the Royal Crescent. And in Stratford‑upon‑Avon, I couldn’t help imagining cobblestones instead of tarmac. Still, there are plenty of hidden gems that remain wonderfully cinematic, just as I remember them.

My own hometown was transformed for the box‑office flop Revolution, though many of the buildings seen on screen still stand today. The seventeenth‑century Custom House, with its quayside and river, made a surprisingly convincing stand‑in for New York.

If you fancy a tour of filming locations — including the studio where much of the Harry Potter series was created — you can easily enjoy a relaxing week filled with stunning scenery and remarkable historic buildings.

We begin, as many journeys do, at the airport. It’s amusing to think that countless modern films include airport scenes, so you may well be walking through a terminal that’s appeared in any number of blockbusters. But that’s not what we’re here for — let’s escape the hustle and bustle and head for the countryside.

For those keen to see where the Harry Potter films were made, we can stay nearby on our first night and arrive at the studios early, before the crowds descend. It’s an extraordinary experience, especially for fans.

After the studios, we’ll drive to Cambridge — a beautiful university city and the filming location for The Theory of Everything. The story of Stephen Hawking is compelling, and the scenery is breathtaking. Just up the road is Duxford, where much of Memphis Belle was filmed. You can even see the aircraft itself when it’s not out for displays. The best part of Duxford is hearing the Spitfire roar overhead — a sound you never forget.

From Cambridge and Duxford, we head across the country to Oxford, another world‑famous university city. Several Harry Potter scenes were filmed here, along with beloved TV series such as Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour.

Next on the itinerary is Bath — one of the finest Georgian cities in Britain. Much of Bath could pass for a film set with very little effort. Remove the modern street furniture and the cars, and you’re practically in a period drama. It’s no wonder so many productions choose to film here. The opportunities for brilliant photographs are endless: Number One Royal Crescent (home of the Featheringtons in Bridgerton), or the Modiste shop on Abbey Green, to name just two.

While in Bath, a visit to the Jane Austen Centre is practically compulsory — you can even dress up in Regency attire. And although the Roman Baths aren’t a filming location, it takes very little imagination to picture them as they were nearly two thousand years ago.

After travelling through several centuries in one city, a short sixty‑mile drive brings us to a place almost everyone recognises: Downton Abbey. Although the series used multiple locations, Highclere Castle is the iconic setting every fan wants to see. It’s extremely popular, and tickets sell out quickly, so booking well in advance is essential.

If you can’t secure tickets to Highclere, don’t worry — there are plenty of other grand houses that offer a glimpse into the Victorian and Edwardian worlds enjoyed by the upper classes.

One thing I always remind visitors: filming locations rarely look exactly as they do on screen. There may be cars, modern signs, or busy roads nearby. But with a little imagination, I can easily picture myself as a dapper Georgian gentleman — or a young wizard wandering through a world of spells and potions alongside Harry and Hermione.

As the founder of Norfolk Tours, Glynn Burrows creates immersive, custom journeys through the heart of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. He also specializes in helping his clients trace their English ancestry and to visit historic familial sites. Learn more at https://www.englishconnection.uk/.

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