Future plans

“Choosing location is integral to the film: in essence, another character”

Ridley Scott, director

With spring approaching and the UK Government making talk of ending lockdown in a controlled manner there is hope of adventures to come. I’m not even considering going abroad this year so if the chance comes to take a few days holiday somewhere in the UK then I’ll take it.

I’ve been giving some thought to places I could visit that are in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I’m fortunate to have been to a lot of places I’ve always wanted to visit over the years, some I’ve blogged about here, other’s I’ll get round to eventually. Here’s the list of the first places that came to mind that I’d love to see one day.

1. Derwent Water, Lake District – ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ – Maz Kanata’s castle.
2. Wells, Somerset – Doubled as Sandford in the film ‘Hot Fuzz’.
3. Wookey Hole, Somerset – Used in multiple Doctor Who stories.
4. Isle of Skye, Scotland – The Old Man of Storr appears in Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus’. There’s also the airport that features at the beginning of the fabulous ‘Flash Gordon’ movie.
5. Doune Castle, Scotland – Just re-watched ‘Monty Python and The Holy Grail’ so fresh in the mind.
6. The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland – Game of Thrones was filmed in various places such as this famous avenue of trees.
7. Aldbourne, Wiltshire – Doctor Who location featured in the 1970’s classic story ‘The Daemons’.
8. Avebury, Wiltshire – Used as the focal point in the 1970’s television show ‘Children of the Stones’.
9. Peckforton Castle, Cheshire – Sontarans from the classic era of Doctor Who once roamed its walls.
10. Greenham Common, Berkshire – Second ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ location on this list. Was the location of the rebel base.

“Sometimes you remember more about the location where you shot the film than the film itself”

Max von Sydow, actor

Honourable mention also goes to these non-locations but geek destinations-

• Walmley Waiting Room – coffee shop – it has a TARDIS loo!
• Ray Harryhausen exhibition is currently on at the Edinburgh National Gallery until September 2021.