Insane Filming Locations You Can Visit In Real Life

Ever wondered where your favourite films are set? We'll tell you so you can add them to your next trip away.

Planning a student holiday? Or are you just naturally curious where a film was set around the world? Production companies film in some of the most glorious locations all over, and it's totally possible for you to tour them during a getaway.

From the Amityville Horror House to Mehrangarh Fort, below are some seriously insane filming locations you can visit in real life (tons are in the UK too!).

1. Notting Hill — London

Film: Notting Hill

Let's kick off our movie locations list with a super famous place in London. The film Notting Hill, also based in London's Notting Hill, stars the gorgeous Julia Roberts and the heartthrob that is Hugh Grant. It's a film about secrecy, contrasting lifestyles but most of all, love. 

Notting Hill is well worth the visit for its ice cream coloured houses and of course, Portobello Road Market. Simply hop off the Notting Hill Gate tube stop on the central line.

2. Glenfinnan Viaduct — Scotland 

Film: Harry Potter franchise

This insanely breathtaking viaduct was used to film various scenes in the Harry Potter franchise. It's possible to ride the steam train that runs a scenic service between Fort William, near Ben Nevis, and Mallaig in summer. Just be sure to book it months in advance, as for obvious reasons, it sells out super fast. 

3. Hatfield House — Hertfordshire 

Film: The Crown

So they couldn't quite land Buckingham Palace as a film location, but Hatfield House in Hertfordshire was certainly a breath-taking alternative.

Set as the scene for The Crown, it's located an hour's drive from London. The area is where Elizabeth I, for real, spent her childhood. On-screen, it was used as the home of Queen Mary, Elizabeth II's widowed grandmother.

The manor is temporarily closed for the moment, however, the Park & Woodland Walks are open each day of The Easter Holidays, except April 15. The Gardens are open each Thursday to Sunday with The East Garden only open on Thursdays. The architecture and scenery is well worth observing if you're in the area anyway, regardless of if it's shut.

4. Katz's Delicatessen — New York

Film: When Harry Met Sally

Katz's isn't just an iconic deli in New York, it was also a filming location for When Harry Met Sally. Marvel at this NY landmark and have a spot of lunch while you're at it!

There are tons of ways to get to Manhattan's famous deli. Get the F subway from Sheep Meadow and exit at Allen St and Houston St SW. Then it's just a 2-min walk. Easy peasy.

5. Amityville Horror House — Toms River, New Jersey, and Salem, Wisconsin

Film: The Amityville Horror (1979 and 2005)

Located at 112 Ocean Avenue Amityville, NY. The Amityville Horror house is known as one of the most haunted places. Unsurprisingly, The Amityville Horror was filmed in none other than the Amityville Horror House. Talk about authenticity…

In case you need the backstory, it's where a young man killed six of his family members in the 70s. The film has since had several sequels and should be on your  must-watch list if you're a horror enthusiast. To keep your facts right, the Amityville Horror House was the location for the 1979 film. The 2005 remake was, interestingly, featured at 27618 Silver Lake Road in Salem, Wisconsin instead.

6. Christ Church Cathedral — Oxford, England

Film: Harry Potter franchise

One of the prettiest cathedrals in the whole of the UK, this 16th century building was the scene for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You can get a walking tour when you visit, which also takes you through the Great Hall and the iconic staircase often featured when students first arrive at Hogwarts school. 

7. The McCallisters' House — Winnetka, Illinois

Film: Home Alone

Who doesn't love Home Alone? You can visit The McCallisters' House for real in Winnetka, Illinois. You can't actually go in as there's been residents there since 2012, but you can certainly view it from a distance and check out the Home Alone interior images online.

8. Contra Dam — Switzerland

Film: GoldenEye

Goldeneye was not only an iconic film in the 007 series, but it was also a hit for retro gamers. You can really visit the location known as Contra Dam in Switzerland.

But that's not all, you can give the iconic bungee jumping scene a go for yourself if you really must. But you're looking at roughly £200+. If you're a serious thrill-seeker then it's worth it. Probably.

9. Mehrangarh Fort — Jodhpur, India

Film: The Dark Knight Rises

Based in Jodhpur 400 feet above the city (we can't believe it either), is the Mehrangarh Fort. It's the place Bruce Wayne sees after escaping the underground prison in the film The Dark Knight Rises. Not only is it an insane filming location, but it's also ​​home to several places known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards, as well as a museum housing various relics.

Definitely one for Batman and history fans.

10. Matamata, Hobbiton Set — Matamata, New Zealand

Films: Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit

The Hobbiton Set showcases the Shire and Hobbiton set itself and is based in the North Island of Matamata. There's 44 hobbit holes (that's not a typo!) and it's open for tours. 

They have tons of tours, including the standard Hobbiton tour, Evening Banquet tour and Second Breakfast tour. We low key want to do all three of these, but there's tons more to choose from too. You're looking at a starting price of $89 New Zealand Dollars (around £50), which in all honesty, isn't too bad. Check out the Hobbiton Set official site and other tours they have to offer.

11. Plaza de España — Seville, Spain

Film: Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones

Are you a Star Wars fan and don't want to travel *too* far? Seville should be your next destination because Plaza de España is where part of Episode II was filmed. More specifically, it was the backdrop for Naboo's Theed Palace.

Little to no CGI was used here, so you can see for yourself just how breathtaking this film location really is.

12. Hatley Castle — British Columbia, Canada

Film: X-Men franchise

Hatley Castle was featured in X-Men, X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. Its exterior was used for Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, while its interiors were filmed in LA.

And if you haven't heard of Hatley Castle before, it has some history which you may find interesting while planning your visit to British Columbia. It was previously used as a dormitory and mess hall for cadets and staff officers at Royal Roads Military College. Now it's an administrative centre, housing the President, Vice-President, the Managers of Finance and Facilities, and the administrative support staff for Royal Roads University.

13. Various Oregon locations — Oregon, USA

Film: The Twilight Saga

Despite being set in the very real-life town of Forks, the directors filmed it elsewhere. Oregon was a commonplace to film the Twilight Saga and included places like St. Helen's, Kalama (Forks High School), and Indian Beach (the location for La Push beach).

14. Café des Deux Moulins — Paris, France

Film: Amélie

Amélie worked as a real waitress in this cute iconic cafe, ​​one-minute walk from the Relais Montmartre, on the charming rue Lepic. This authentic Parisian cafe has been around since the 20th century too, so it's got quite the history, as well as decently priced coffees and meals, too (considering it's a real landmark).

We hope we fed your curiosity about some of the worlds' most stunning filming locations.