Essential days out for film fans this summer

If you’re a film buff, the UK is a great place to experience a wide range of tours and attractions that take you behind the scenes of some of your favourite movies. For those looking for something a bit different to do this summer, here are some of the best film places to visit.

The National Media Museum

The National Media Museum in Bradford houses a collection of more than 3.5 million items relating to the world of film, photography and television. It features the country’s very first IMAX cinema, where you can watch some of the latest blockbusters, as well as the Pictureville Cinema, where you can see some of the best classic movies. There are a number of different exhibitions that celebrate the history of film, alongside a calendar of changing displays and events.

Carnforth Station

This station is situated in the village of Carnforth in Lancashire and is famous as one of the settings for the classic film Brief Encounter. It is now home to the Carnforth Station Heritage Centre, as well as the Brief Encounter Refreshment Room. The station has been fully restored as it would have been in the 1940s. There are a number of exhibitions dedicated to the 1945 film, alongside historical artefacts commemorating the history of the station and the village.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

This attraction is in Leavesden, which is only 20 miles to the north west of London, and is where you can go on the Harry Potter Studio tour. This is a must-see for all fans of the films and books. It provides you with the opportunity to experience life at Hogwarts, step on board the Hogwarts Express, see some of the many sets, and even walk along Diagon Alley. In the back lot, you can view a number of the exterior sets, including the famous purple triple-decker Knight Bus. A visit to the studio tour wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the fantastic Butterbeer.

Film London

There are many locations in the UK that have been used as settings for films, and a wide variety of these are in London. If you’re paying a visit to the capital this summer, there are a range of websites that highlight the best tours and locations for you to visit. This gives you the chance to see settings for a number of movies, including Paddington, Sherlock Holmes, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Notting Hill and The Da Vinci Code.

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum

This museum is part of the University of Exeter and is a public site as well as an academic research facility. It features more than 1,000 exhibits on public display, but it is actually home to more than 75,000 pieces. The museum takes you through the pre-1910 era right up to the modern day.

Fans of the silver screen will not want to miss any of these attractions. They’ll each give you a different insight into the world of movies and your favourite locations and characters.