VisitBritain Launches Tourism Marketing Campaign Based on Top Film Locations

VisitBritain has launched a global screen tourism marketing campaign boosting various destinations around the country as featured in various big screen movies.

The campaign ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ rolls out internationally this week drawing on iconic film and TV moments from Mission: Impossible to Bridget Jones; Spider-Man to Succession; House of the Dragon to Harry Potter; Paddington to Fast & Furious to Mary Poppins Returns and more. The launch film takes viewers on a cinematic journey through Britain, giving them a front row seat to the destinations at the heart of the on-screen action. 

The launch film, directed by Academy Award-winning British director Tom Hooper, is supported by a wider advertising campaign which is underway across the UK’s largest and most valuable inbound visitor markets including Australia, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, France, Germany and the USA.  

The campaign comes as VisitBritain’s screen tourism research shows that more than 9-out-of-10 potential visitors to the UK would be keen to visit film and TV locations during a trip.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “Britain’s destinations are the real star of the show as we harness the powerful draw of screen tourism to attract international visitors and drive their spending across our nations and regions, boosting local economies. Using film and TV as the hook we’re telling the story of Britain today, showcasing our dynamic and diverse destinations and putting our welcome centre-stage.  

“Films, TV and tourism have a lot in common. They bring people together and they can transport us to new places, experiences and adventures. From exploring our vibrant cities, world-class attractions and stunning countryside, the backdrop to so many iconic filming locations, to enjoying our exciting contemporary culture and hospitality, Starring GREAT Britain inspires visitors to put themselves in the picture, discover more and book a trip to Britain right now.” 

UK Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “Many of the moments that took your breath away in the cinema were filmed in the United Kingdom. Stunning scenery, amazing cityscapes and great cinematic talent have combined over the years in a truly exceptional way. We want visitors from home and abroad to experience them first-hand by immersing themselves in the scenery and locations made famous thanks to film and TV.

“Our tourism industry is already worth £74 billion to the economy and this campaign will help drive more growth by encouraging millions of tourists to visit even more parts of our breathtaking country.

“Supporting our Plan for Change, this will help to boost visitor numbers and spend, create opportunity in local communities and set the scene for the UK’s thriving visitor economy for years to come.”

The full list of locations from films and TV shows featured in the launch film are below:  
London:

• Mary Poppins Returns: Location: London (scene was shot in Shepperton Studios). 
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout: Location: St Paul’s.
• Notting Hill: Location: Kenwood House. 
• Paddington: Location: Portobello Road (in the sky).
• Sherlock Holmes: Location: Houses of Parliament and the Thames. 
• Spider-Man: Far From Home: Location Tower Bridge. 

England: 

• Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason: Location: Headcorn Aerodrome in Ashford, Kent. 
• Bridgerton: Location:  West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire.  
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom: Location: Cragside, Northumberland.  
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Location: Lake District, Cumbria.  
• Paddington 2: Location: Countryside at Ullswater, Cumbria. 
• Succession: Location: Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire.