Famous Film Sets To Visit

Sycamore Gap has also appeared in the TV crime drama Vera. It narrowly escaped damage in 2003 when a helicopter carrying a film crew filming a history series for TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh crashed metres away. Alan Titchmarsh was on the ground when it crashed and escaped injury, and the helicopter crew escaped with minor injuries. 

The amazing Northumberland landscape has also inspired many writers and directors with George R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame confirming that Hadrian’s Wall inspired his own, giant ice wall. 

Alnwick Castle as a famous film location

• Featured as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. The Outer Bailey is recognisable as the area where Harry learned to fly broomsticks and learned the rules of wizarding sport Quidditch
• Seen in Downton Abbey as the magnificent Brancaster Castle (Christmas Specials 2015 and 2016)
• Filming location for Elizabeth (1998), starring Cate Blanchett
  
• Blackadder also saw Rowan Atkinson riding on horseback through the snow-covered grounds of Alnwick Castle
• Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) was also filmed at Alnwick Castle where rumour has it, thousands of plastic daffodils were sited to replicate the real ones there that flower each Spring
  

Bamburgh Castle Films

You might be wondering, what was filmed at Bamburgh Castle? The real question is—what hasn’t been? 

This mighty fortress on the Northumberland coast has become one of the UK’s most recognisable famous film locations, with its imposing walls and breathtaking sea views setting the scene for countless productions. Notable Bamburgh Castle films include: 

• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) – Harrison Ford’s final outing as Indy features thrilling scenes shot on-site at Bamburgh
• Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) – Bamburgh Castle was transformed into a key battleground in this action-packed blockbuster produced by Stephen Spielberg. Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg and Sir Anthony Hopkins filmed scenes at the Castle and on the beach below. 
• Macbeth (2015) – Starring Michael Fassbender, the castle adds an atmospheric backdrop to Shakespeare’s dark tale
• The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) – Netflix returned to Northumberland’s coast for this historical epic. The castle has also appeared in numerous documentaries and historical dramas thanks to its cinematic presence.

Richard Burton also came to Bamburgh in 1963 to film Becket and brought Elizabeth Taylor with him. Bamburgh beach also featured Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Dalton as Mary Stuart and Lord Darnley, riding their horses in the 1971 movie Mary, Queen of Scots. So you can see that there was a lot what was filmed at Bamburgh Castle.

Famous Film Locations: Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Here are some notable productions that have featured Lindisfarne as a famous film location: 

• Macbeth (1971) – Directed by Roman Polanski, this gritty version of Shakespeare’s masterpiece was partly filmed on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, taking full advantage of its bleak and dramatic setting. The island’s stark beauty and historical ambiance lent itself perfectly to the dark, medieval tone of the film
• The Viking Queen (1967) – Although much of this film was shot in Ireland, some scenes were filmed on Holy Island, using its wild coastline and castle as backdrops for this Roman-era drama
• The Railway Man (2013) - This screen adaptation of Eric Lomax’s memoirs as a prisoner of war has a star-studded cast, including Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. A former British Army officer, who was tortured as a prisoner of war at a Japanese labour camp during World War II, Eric discovers that the man responsible for much of his treatment is still alive and sets out to confront him. As well as scenes in flung destinations in Australia and Singapore, the film features Holy Island and Berwick upon Tweed where Eric lived in the last few years of his life.

Kielder Films

While not as mainstream as other famous film locations in Northumberland, Kielder has become a favourite among independent filmmakers, sci-fi directors, and TV producers. Kielder Forest was one of the filming locations for the fantasy action film The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016) starring Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, and Emily Blunt. The forest’s dense, shadowy atmosphere provided the perfect enchanted woodland setting for the movie’s darker, magical scenes. The popular TV detective series Vera featuring Brenda Blethen is filmed across the North East and makes full benefit of the jaw-dropping landscapes of Kielder.  Inspector George Gently is another TV detective series filmed across the North East. 

Chillingham and Warkworth Castles

Northumberland supplied several locations for the 1997 movie Elizabeth starring Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I. The burning of the Protestant martyrs at ‘Bishopsgate, London’ is undertaken at Alnwick Castle. Alnwick Castle also becomes ‘Leith Castle’. Chillingham Castle supplies both the interior of ‘Leith Castle’ and the hunting lodge, where Elizabeth meets up with Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes).  The cells of the ‘Tower of London’ were filmed at Warkworth Castle. The apartment of arch-manipulator Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), and the chamber in which sinister Catholic priest Ballard (Daniel Craig) is tortured, are both Aydon Castle, near Corbridge and just a short drive from Herding Hill Farm.  

Plan Your Movie-Inspired Adventure 

Staying at Herding Hill Farm puts you within easy reach of these unforgettable famous film locations in Northumberland. Whether you're exploring the rugged coastline, Roman ruins, or ancient castles, you’ll feel like you've stepped straight onto a film set. Why not: 

• Visit Bamburgh Castle and recreate your favourite scenes
• Walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path and discover the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves locations
• Take a trip to Alnwick Castle and go full Hogwarts mode with a broomstick flying lesson!