2014 the Year for Landmark Anniversaries of Award-winning Movies Filmed in Britain

Feb 07, 2014 EST

2014 is the year for landmark anniversaries of award-winning films where Britain played a leading role on the silver screen. We show how you can still recreate the magic these movies generated at these legendary film locations in 2014 and beyond. 

5 Years Ago:

Sherlock Holmes

Then: Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr formed the inimitable partnership of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson on the big screen, solving murder mysteries across Victorian London. As well as filming in locations such as Brompton Cemetery in London - regarded as one of the finest Victorian Metropolitan cemeteries in Britain - and the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Manchester and Liverpool in north-west England also played significant location roles.

Now: Liverpool's Albert Docks are now all about art, culture, music and shopping! Home to contemporary art gallery Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story and the Merseyside Maritime Museum, this vibrant part of the cosmopolitan city is also packed with restaurants and bars. Fans of the film may recognize the streets of Manchester's Northern Quarter: regarded as the city's creative, urban heart you'll discover independent boutiques, vintage stores, quirky cafés and bars dotted throughout this bohemian area. Accessorize with a deer-stalker hat!

www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/brompton-cemetery, www.visitliverpool.com, www.visitmanchester.com

Getting there: Both Manchester and Liverpool have international airports and both can be reached in two hours by train from London.

10 Years Ago:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Then: Harry, Ron and Hermione continued to fight against the dark arts in this third instalment of the hugely successful Harry Potter franchise, which used some of Britain's most atmospheric outdoor locations to set the magical scene.

Now: The cinematic backdrop for Hogwarts Express, as it hurtles from London's King's Cross Platform 9 ¾ to the wizards' school, was Glenfinnan Viaduct, close to Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland (also used in other Harry Potter films). In Fort William hop on board the Jacobite steam train, which featured in the films as the Hogwarts Express, and take the journey from Fort William to Mallaig over the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct. For a more active Highlands' visit, head to Glen Coe - the location of Hagrid's Hut - and discover high mountain peaks, moors and waterfalls for a spot of hiking, biking and skiing in the winter! Pure magic.

www.visitscotland.com

Getting there: Fort William and Glen Coe are both within a two-and-a-half hour drive from Glasgow.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

Then: Remember the comical scene when Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver fight over Bridget's affections or when Bridget hits trendy London bars for drinks with friends? The capital made the ideal backdrop to the trials and tribulations of Britain's favorite singleton.

Now: The Italian Fountains in Kensington Gardens may have been the location where Mark and Daniel had their 'fight', but in reality, it's much more of a romantic location; the 150-year-old Grade II-listed ornamental water garden is said to have been created as a loving gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. To put the world to rights, Bridget meets her friends for drinks at the Light Bar and Restaurant in Shoreditch. Still part of the bar scene in this now very hip part of east London, the Light Bar is in good company. Along the same street is Bar Kick, as well known for its table football as it is for its cocktails, whereas The Book Club on Leonard Street, a ten-minute walk away and located in a former Victorian warehouse, mixes drinking with talks and cultural showcases. Bridget would raise a glass to that!

www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens, www.thelighte1.com, www.cafekick.com,www.wearetbc.com

15 Years Ago:

Notting Hill

Then: London's fashionable district Notting Hill played a leading role in this Richard Curtis romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.

Now: Die-hard fans of the film can take part in a Notting Hill Tour of the area and visit all the top film locations, including the colourful houses that line some streets in this part of London. Still a chic part of town, the area remains famous for the spectacular sight that is the Notting Hill Carnival, held every August, as well as its regular excellent antiques market on Portobello Road. One of London's quirkier museums is located here - the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, which you could follow up with a Michelin-star meal at The Ledbury or take part in a cooking lesson at Jamie Oliver's Recipease. Notting Hill is the perfect setting for a romantic date.

britmovietours.com, www.museumofbrands.com, www.theledbury.com, www.jamieoliver.com/recipease

20 Years Ago:

Braveheart

Then: As film-goers were absorbed in the story of one of Scotland's greatest legends, William Wallace, they were also treated to some of Scotland's most beautiful locations in memorable scenes.

Now: You'll certainly recognize the dramatic landscapes of Glen Coe and Glen Nevis in the Scottish Highlands that played such an integral part in the film, as was the mesmerising Loch Leven. It's an ideal spot for outdoor pursuits; as well the low level terrains which make for excellent walking and cycling, you can enjoy the adrenaline rush of canyoning, kayaking, and skiing in the winter. And to be truly at one with nature, embark on a red deer safari, also during the winter months, when these majestic animals come down from the mountain tops to escape the colder weather - it's a sight not to be missed.

Getting there: Loch Leven is less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glen Coe is less than three hours' drive from Edinburgh.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Then: Audiences were immersed in the world of quintessential British weddings; the romance and fun of the film are still relevant today.

Now: You don't need to be a guest at a wedding to experience some of the lovely locations that featured in the film. Stay at the five-star Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa in Bedfordshire, an hour's drive from London, which was used for scenes in wedding number two. Or spend the night in the historic coaching inn, the Crown Hotel in Amersham, Buckinghamshire - in the film it featured as the Boatman Inn, where Charles first spends the night with Carrie. To emulate Charles' declaration of love for Carrie, head to London's South Bank. Here, you can stroll along the banks of the Thames, wander the Hayward Gallery together, watch a play at Shakespeare's Globe and enjoy a romantic meal at Skylon with its panoramic views of the river. A true marriage of taste!

www.lutonhoo.co.uk, www.thecrownamersham.com, www.southbanklondon.com

Getting there: The nearest train station to Luton Hoo is Luton Parkway, which is 45 minutes by train from London St Pancras, plus Luton Parkway is the station for Luton International Airport. Amersham is an hour's drive from London or can be reached via the Metropolitan Underground line.

Madness of King George

Then: As befitted a tale of King George III and the royal family during the late 18th century, many of the film's shoots took place at some of Britain's finest heritage locations.

Now: Reignite that passion for beautiful castles and visit those used as this film's locations. Built in the 11th century, Arundel Castle in west Sussex, south-east England, runs historic days for visitors, ranging from jousting and medieval tournaments and pirates and smugglers days to Shakespeare performances. Or take a trip to Oxford where the film was also shot. Team a visit to the beautiful manor house of the 16th century Broughton Castle near Banbury, half an hour's drive from Oxford, with a trip to Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the main research library of Oxford University.

www.arundelcastle.org, www.broughtoncastle.com, www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley

Getting there: Arundel is a two-hour drive south of London or 1.5 hours by train from London Victoria, while Oxford is a 90-minute drive north of the capital.

35 Years Ago:

Quadrophenia

Then: As well as being set in London, Quadrophenia - the 1979 film based loosely on The Who's rock opera of the same name, was all about Brighton. Mods and rockers congregated in the seaside town on England's south coast where they played out their teenage angst.

Now: Today, Brighton evokes a cool, bohemian vibe, yet is a town that is packed with history and remains a quintessentially British seaside destination. Just an hour away by train from London, Brighton's restaurants, accommodation, attractions and shops are as individual as it is. Near the beach, the Lanes are connected streets with boutiques and charming, quirky shops offering everything from antiques to jewelryalong the picturesque cobblestone streets. Also check out the vintage clothing stalls along the North Laines area. Then head to the fun and fashionable Brighton sea front for a stroll along the pier and indulge your sweet tooth with quintessential 'Brighton Rock' and candyfloss.

www.visitbrighton.com

50 Years Ago:

Goldfinger

Then: In this classic Bond film, the lure of getting a hole in one at Stoke Park House in Buckinghamshire, south England, meant 007 even played a game of golf with arch-nemesis Goldfinger.

Now: Stoke Park Country Club, Spa & Hotel is located around half an hour's drive outside London plus is only seven miles from Heathrow airport, and the five-star resort is home to a 27-hole Championship golf course. Golfers can also make use of its all-weather golf practice facilities at its Swing Studio; view your swings immediately on plasma screens during an interactive golf lesson. It's a real sporting hotel; there are also 13 tennis courts, including indoor, all-weather and grass courts. There's a chance to bring home gold in either game.

www.stokepark.com