Romanticize Your U.K. Vacation With These 6 Film-Inspired Destinations!

Traveling is hands down one of the best experiences. Creating the perfect itinerary? Arguably one of the worst. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good planning session, but narrowing down all of the breathtaking views, charming shops, and delectable restaurants to a mere few is a nauseating task. How do you know what’s really worth seeing? What if you leave something super duper cool off your list and don’t find out until you’ve landed back at home and see an Instagram post tagged two minutes away from where your hotel was?

Luckily, I just got back from 5 weeks in a beautiful country and I’m here to fill you in on all the must-sees in 5 different locations! If you’re a big fan of “Bridgerton”, Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, or anything along those lines, you’ll be very excited to hear that I’m talking about England! Whether you’re looking to take a spontaneous end-of-summer trip or are just curious for the future, read on! 

1. London

There’s no question that, if you’re heading to England, you’ll want to stop at the capital! Of course, you’ll need to visit Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard. Then there’s the obligatory photo-op in a couple of now-aesthetic phone booths. Then —stay with me on this next one — take a hop-on hop-off tour around the city. Yes, by this point, it will become painfully obvious to the general public that you’re a tourist. But nothing compares to the cool breeze blowing through your hair as you sit on the top of a double-decker bus, driving beneath Tower Bridge and soaking in the close-up views of Big Ben and The London Eye. By now, you’ll probably be ready for lunch. I’m hungry just thinking about it! There are tons of restaurants on every corner, so you truly can’t go wrong. Don’t be ashamed to walk into a chain like Chipotle if that’s what you’re craving — there are 13 Chipotles in London and only two others in the entirety of the U.K.! Then, if you’re big on shopping, you’ll definitely want to stop into Selfridges, voted the best department store in the world! Not to mention, you can play with robots and take a seat in a DeLorean just like the one in Back to The Future! 

And, of course, tons of famous movies have been filmed in London. Which filming locations are worth seeing? As fun as it may sound on paper, going to a bunch of stand-alone buildings that were used in movies can get a bit tiring. I would definitely recommend going to sites that you would want to stay at for long periods of time. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, be sure to make your way to Cecil Court, "the heart of the early British film industry" and the initial inspiration for Diagon Alley. Here you can also find tons of bookshops with first-edition copies of British classics! You might also want to check out Leadenhall Market where you can find the actual Harry Potter filming location of Diagon Alley and the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron Pub. If you have time, a 20-minute drive will get you to Notting Hill, where you can explore cafés and vintage shops while following in the footsteps of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts! Plus, if you want to see Will’s travel bookshop from Notting Hill (AKA where Anna Scott confesses her love), head to 142 Portobello Road, which is now a gift shop where you can purchase some super cool merch. 

2. Bath

I might be partial to Bath because I spent the most time there. But take my word for it when I say, it’s a dream! Known for its 2,000-year-old Roman Baths and architecture reliant on beautiful cream-colored Bath stone, just stepping foot in this small city will have you feeling like the main character in a Jane Austen novel. Plus, "Bridgerton" is filmed here! Some notable locations are the Holburne Museum, which serves as Lady Danbury’s house, and The Abbey Deli (my all-time favorite breakfast spot), which was turned into the Modiste Dress Shop!

What else should you do in Bath? I guess the better question would be, what shouldn’t you do there?! Check out the Roman Baths Museum and then indulge in your own spa experience at the Thermae Bath Spa where you can relax in both hot and cold water, sit in steamy saunas, and even look out at the cityscape while floating around in a rooftop pool! Once you’re done chillaxing, peruse the shelves of cavernous Toppings Bookstore or the lovely Persephone Books (which exclusively features the work of women writers) before heading over to the Abbey for a quick peek inside or walking to the beautiful Royal Crescent (AKA the Fetherington’s House in "Bridgerton"). Whatever you do, don’t fall into the trap of stopping in Starbucks for a quick mango dragon fruit lemonade refresher (side note: can we talk about how amazing that drink is?). England makes it much sweeter than they do in America! Plus, there are tons of local coffee shops to pop into. And don’t forget to stop at The Circus to admire the gorgeous townhouses. Fun Fact: Nicolas Cage owned a house in the Circus just a few years ago! 

3. Dorset 

Only 2.5 hours from London, Dorset is a gorgeous getaway for anyone who likes hiking, paddleboarding, or just relaxing on a beautiful beach. Wonka (which comes out on December 15, 2023) used Dorset as a filming location, so you can breathe the same air as Timothée Chalamet while you explore this beautiful place! What should you do here? Except for breathing in Timmy C. air, of course, you can easily spend hours at Lulworth Cove dipping your feet in the water and collecting unique rocks. Or, if long walks are more your speed, particularly picturesque Durdle Door, a large natural limestone arch, is just a mile away. If you are in the mood for a boat ride, take a ferry to Brownsea Island and enjoy a serene stroll through nature. You might even spot a group of baby ducklings or a red squirrel! Ready to say farewell to Dorset? 

4. Glastonbury

Take a quick hour drive from Dorset to Glastonbury! This is the perfect place to shop for crystals and jewelry you’ll get complimented on everywhere you go! Don’t forget to see the ruins of the impressive Glastonbury Abbey before you leave! Also, did you know that Bradley Cooper performed in 2017 at the famous annual Glastonbury Music Festival while shooting scenes for A Star is Born?! Plus, tons of famous artists play at this festival every June! 

5. Oxford 

If you want to see the door that inspired C.S Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia or the Harry Potter location where Draco turned into a ferret (aka the courtyard of New College), look no further! Start your day off with a guided tour — the most interesting guided tour I’ve ever been on, which includes super cool information on the city’s history and traditions at Oxford University’s 39(!) colleges. Next, check out the Oxford Covered Market for food and shopping. You must grab a milkshake or smoothie at Moo-Moo’s, a small, independent family-run business. The kiosk is pink cow print, so you can’t miss it! Then, head to the river for a fun activity called "punting" where you stand on the end of a boat and use a pole to propel yourself forward. It’s fun for all ages, and chances are, you won’t fall in! Before you leave, make sure you’ve seen all of Oxford’s stunning Harry Potter filming locations. Check out the TikTok below for the full run-down. 

6. Stourhead 

You know the scene in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice where Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth in the rain? If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I wish Mr. Darcy would propose to me in the rain,” first of all… same. Second of all, I have good news for you! While I can’t promise you Matthew Macfadyen will be there, I can tell you exactly where to find the location of the proposal! It’s at the garden Temple of Apollo in a huge estate called Stourhead! Located in Wiltshire, Stourhead has some of the most dramatic views you could imagine. Set aside a day to saunter around the property and take in the shimmering lake, blooming flowers, gorgeous Palladian mansion, and more. You’ll be sure to fall in love with this location most ardently!

Moral of the story: grab a suitcase and book the next flight to England ASAP!