Films can make us dream. They transport us into worlds filled with unforgettable stories, fantastical landscapes and beautiful cities we’d love to explore ourselves.

But you don’t have to just watch them from a cinema seat.

When you join Astrolabio for a study holiday abroad, you get the chance to visit the real places where some of your favourite films were made. From historic villages in the Cotswolds to the bustling streets of London, the wild Highlands of Scotland and the peaceful countryside of Somerset, each location has something special to offer. And that goes for both on screen and in real life!

Here’s a closer look at some famous films and the places where they came to life.

Films set in the Cotswolds

Miss Potter

This biopic follows the life of Beatrix Potter, the beloved author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Starring Renée Zellweger, the film was partly shot in the Cotswolds, a region famous for its soft green hills and winding country lanes.

The film shows Potter’s deep love for the countryside, as the scenes were filmed in the rolling meadows and rustic villages that look much the same today as they did in Potter’s time.

For visitors, it’s easy to see how this landscape inspired her stories of clever rabbits, ducks in bonnets and hedgehogs in aprons.

Downton Abbey

Millions of viewers around the world fell in love with the world of Downton Abbey, where drama, love and intrigue play out in grand houses and quiet villages. The fictional village of Downton was filmed in Bampton, a real village in the Cotswolds.

Bampton’s medieval church and old stone houses became familiar to fans of the series.

Today, visitors can walk those same streets, visit the church where characters attended weddings and funerals, and even find small exhibitions showing how filming transformed local buildings into iconic locations, like the Downton hospital and post office.

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Few romantic comedies are as loved as Bridget Jones’s Diary, starring Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. The film mixes big-city London scenes with cosy, countryside moments.

Some of the most famous winter scenes — including the awkward but charming Christmas parties — were filmed in Snowshill, a small village in the Cotswolds.

With its stone cottages dusted in snow and twinkling lights, Snowshill became a picture-perfect British village on screen. Even when the cameras left, the village kept its charm — with small pubs and village greens that feel made for walking and soaking up the real-life magic of England.

Films created in London

Four Weddings and a Funeral

This classic romantic comedy made London part of its story.

Scenes were filmed in some of the city’s most historic spots: the 12th-century church of St. Bartholomew-the-Great (where one wedding takes place), the grassy views of Hampstead Heath (perfect for quiet conversations) and along the South Bank of the Thames, with its lively mix of street performers, art galleries and riverside paths.

These real-life locations helped give the film its authentic feel, mixing the elegance of old London with the modern city’s energy. Today, visitors can still attend services at St. Bartholomew, walk across Hampstead Heath for stunning skyline views, and wander the South Bank for food markets, art shows and street music.

Notting Hill

Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts made Notting Hill one of the most beloved romantic films of all time. Shot in the real London neighbourhood of Notting Hill, the film features brightly coloured houses, the famous Portobello Road Market and the small travel bookshop (inspired by real shops) where the main characters meet.

The film showed a London that was vibrant and full of life.

Today, fans visit the famous blue door from the film, browse market stalls selling antiques and art, and walk the same streets seen in some of the film’s most touching scenes. The area remains one of London’s most popular spots for both tourists and locals, especially during the annual Notting Hill Carnival, which brings together music, food and colourful costumes in one of Europe’s biggest street festivals.

Paddington

Based on the beloved children’s books by Michael Bond, Paddington follows the adventures of a small bear who arrives at Paddington Station in London and finds a new home.

The film was shot in and around Notting Hill and the real Paddington Station, with its beautiful Victorian architecture and busy platforms.

A bronze statue of Paddington Bear now greets visitors at the station, and fans of the film (and books) can follow themed walking tours through Notting Hill, discovering colourful houses, hidden gardens and the places where Paddington’s story unfolded.

No Time to Die

James Bond’s most recent adventure brought him back to London for high-stakes action. Filming took place across the city, including at Whitehall, where Bond meets government officials, and Tower Bridge, one of London’s most famous landmarks.

Scenes shot along the Thames highlight both London’s historic and modern sides, with old stone buildings standing alongside sleek glass towers.

For film lovers and Bond fans, exploring these locations offers a new way to see the city: as a place of intrigue, danger, and constant motion — just like 007 himself.

Films made in Somerset

Jude

Based on Thomas Hardy’s tragic novel Jude the Obscure, this film shows the quiet beauty of Somerset’s rural landscape. The rolling hills, stone buildings and quiet towns stand in contrast to Jude Fawley’s desperate desire to escape poverty and gain an education.

Jude was praised for its realistic portrayal of Victorian England — with scenes showing muddy village streets, busy markets and the harsh life of ordinary people. Somerset’s countryside still offers visitors a glimpse into England’s past, with local pubs, historic farms and friendly small-town communities.

The Libertine

Set in the 17th century, this drama follows the scandalous life of poet John Wilmot, played by Johnny Depp. Some scenes were shot in Somerset, where the green fields and old manor houses provided a contrast to the wild court life of London.

Somerset’s gentle landscapes become a place of reflection in the film, highlighting Wilmot’s inner struggles as he moves between fame, self-destruction and moments of quiet truth.

The Duchess 

Starring Keira Knightley as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, this film explores the life of a woman whose personal hopes and desires often clashed with the expectations of her time.

While much of the film was shot in grand homes and London society, parts were filmed in Somerset, using its gentle hills and fields to show moments of peace and private reflection.

Films based in Scotland

Braveheart

Mel Gibson’s sweeping epic about William Wallace’s fight for Scottish freedom made full use of the Highlands’ dramatic scenery.

Many of the film’s sweeping battle scenes and dramatic countryside shots were filmed in and around Glen Nevis and the Highlands near Fort William. Here, you’ll find rolling hills covered in heather, mist-shrouded mountains and hidden valleys that still look untouched by time.

The film also used the areas around Loch Leven and Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most famous and hauntingly beautiful glens, known for its history and jagged mountain peaks.

Braveheart shows Scotland as untamed and fiercely beautiful — a perfect symbol of Wallace’s quest for independence.

Highlander

This cult fantasy film opens in the Scottish Highlands, where Connor MacLeod (played by Christopher Lambert) discovers his immortality. Filmed in Glen Coe, Eilean Donan Castle and the shores of Loch Shiel, Highlander shows Scotland as a place of mystery, ancient ruins and vast, lonely landscapes.

Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks, appears early in the film. Perched on an island where three lochs meet, the castle perfectly fits the story’s themes of history and timelessness.

Meanwhile, the towering mountains around Glen Coe add to the film’s moody, almost mythical atmosphere.

Trainspotting

Trainspotting has many scenes set in Edinburgh, and its famous opening scene — where Renton and Spud run through city streets — was filmed on Princes Street, one of Edinburgh’s busiest shopping areas.

The film also features shots of New Town’s elegant Georgian architecture, cobbled lanes and tenement buildings, contrasting the city’s beauty with the harsh realities of its characters’ lives.

In one memorable scene, Renton and his friends take a trip into the Scottish Highlands. Standing by the railway at Corrour Station, surrounded by empty wilderness, they reflect (somewhat cynically) on Scotland’s natural beauty. The remote, windswept location underlines the film’s blend of dark humour and gritty realism.

Skyfall

Skyfall brought James Bond back to his roots in the Highlands. Filmed near Glen Etive and Glen Coe, the film uses Scotland’s stark landscapes as a dramatic stage for Bond’s return to his childhood home.

Driving along the single-track road through Glen Etive, the film shows Daniel Craig’s Bond against towering mountains, grey skies and winding rivers. These scenes create a sense of isolation and quiet strength, perfectly matching Bond’s own troubled past and determination to fight until the end.

Glen Coe, famous for its jagged peaks and tragic history, adds depth to the story. For visitors, it remains one of the most striking parts of Scotland.

Films set in the UK: Final Thoughts

Whether you’re wandering the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, exploring a quiet Cotswolds village or standing among the rugged peaks of the Highlands, there’s something unforgettable about visiting places you’ve seen on screen.

A study holiday with Astrolabio isn’t just about lessons and textbooks. It’s a chance to live the language every day, discover the history behind the films you love, and create your own memories in places filled with stories.

If you’re ready to start your adventure, come see us or get in touch. We’ll help you find the perfect course and destination, and maybe your own bit of movie magic along the way.