Stretching between London and Bristol, and surrounding areas, the Great West Way has been a backdrop for countless film and television shows, including well-known titles like Bridgerton, Pride and Prejudice and the more recent Disney+ series, Rivals!
When travelling along this remarkable route, be sure to immerse yourself behind the scenes as you explore some of the most iconic sets from the famous big screens…
Located towards the far western parts of Great West Way is Bristol, a harbourside city known for its youthful art and culture scene, and of course, its production of the well-known stop motion animations Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep!
Recognisable film locations across the city include Bristol’s Harbourside, as it became Weymouth Docks for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Clifton Suspension Bridge in The Sense of an Ending, and even Bristol University in Inbetweeners 2.
It’s more recent fame though, has taken from the new Disney+ series, Rivals. Starring an iconic cast including David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Danny Dyer and Emily Atack, much of the shows’ shooting was based in the city, and iconic landmarks can be recognised including Aerospace Bristol, where scenes took place aboard the legendary Concorde Alpha Foxtrot! Tetbury in Gloucestershire and Corsham in Wiltshire also featured in the new TV series.
The World Heritage City of Bath has welcomed a range of famous film and tv shows to its streets, including iconic landmarks such as Pulteney Weir in Les Misérables, Royal Crescent in Bridgerton, and Queen Street in a special episode of Sherlock!
Jane Austen
Known for its ties with Jane Austen, this beautiful Regency city has played a special role in a range of period films and tv series. Inspired by Jane Austen’s books, you can find recognisable locations in the 2007 adaptation of Persuasion, as well as the 1987 BBC adaptation of Northanger Abbey, where The Assembly Rooms and Bath Abbey are included.
Bridgerton
Bath also played a huge part in one of the current most famous Netflix series’, Bridgerton. Despite all 3 seasons taking place in Regency-era London, Bath stood in for the capital’s streets with its breath-taking Georgian buildings creating the perfect backdrop. The Royal Crescent, Holburne Museum, Beauford Square and The Assembly Rooms are amongst those recognised frequently throughout the show.
Bridgerton continued its filming journey along and around the Great West Way, with appearances from Wilton House in Wiltshire, Hampton Court Palace and Syon Park outside Richmond, and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
Centrally located along the Great West Way is Wiltshire’s rolling hills, breath-taking landscapes and historic, cottage-lined villages. Offering the perfect backdrop for classic films and tv series, Wiltshire can be recognised in a range of iconic productions over the years.
Lacock
Owned by the National Trust, the charming village of Lacock has been a go-to location for historical films and dramas including Pride and Prejudice and The Other Boleyn Girl. A short walk from the main streets is Lacock Abbey, Tudor home of the Talbots. Its dramatic Gothic architecture can be recognised most notably in the first 2 Harry Potter films, where its interior appeared as the Potions and Dark Arts classrooms at Hogwarts!
Corsham
Corsham’s preserved High Street created the perfect backdrop for BBC series, Poldark. Despite being set by the Cornish coast, the picturesque Wiltshire town stood in for 18th-Century Truro throughout the series. Other popular period shows filmed here include Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Lark Rise to Candleford and the most recent, Rivals.
Stonehenge
The iconic stone circle is known worldwide for its prehistoric tales and orientation on the rising and setting sun. Because of this, many major productions have chosen to include it on the big screen. Thor: The Dark World, Season 5 of Doctor Who and Transformers: The Last Knight are amongst the most popular that Stonehenge is included in.
Old Wardour Castle
Located in Tisbury, just outside of Salisbury in Wiltshire, is Old Wardour Castle. Not only do these medieval ruins have a dark historical past dating back to the 1390s, but it is also best known for its feature in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The Castle stands in for the Loxley’s family home and looks slightly more intact due to special effect painting!
A few picturesque villages in the Cotswolds have featured within the Film and TV scene. Snowshill, perfectly named, was included in the classic rom com, Bridget Jones’s Diary, where Bridget visits her parents at Christmas. Tetbury, another town in Gloucestershire, was recently used in the new Disney+ series, Rivals, and holds close ties to the author, Dame Jilly Cooper, where she lived for over 40 years! Poldark, Lark Rise to Candleford and Emma were also filmed here.
Take a short distance from the Great West Way route and you will find a range of other iconic filming locations!
Highclere Castle
Most recognisable for its role in Downton Abbey, this magnificent stately home in Hampshire is just a couple hours drive from central London. Visitors to Highclere Castle will find most rooms familiar, including the dining room where many evening scenes took place with the wealthier characters.
Blenheim Palace
Located in Oxfordshire, just under 2 hours drive from central London, is Blenheim Palace. Not only is the Palace known for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and its 18th-Century Baroque architecture, but the Palace and Estate have also featured in a wide range of films. 2010’s Gulliver’s Travels featuring Jack Black, showcased several parts of the grounds. Mission Impossible and 007 included Blenheim in 2015 and the Bank of the Great Lake can be seen in a short flashback clip in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!
More recently, it became the interior and exterior of Buckingham House, where King George resides in the Bridgerton series, Queen Charlotte.
Start your journey from film set to tv screen as you embark along the Great West Way this season...
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