Highclere Castle in Hampshire was the main filming location for Downton Abbey (Photo by Tim Alex on Unsplash)
TV-inspired travel is just what it sounds like and it is not something new, however it has become one of the hottest travel trends of 2023. When viewers watch a tv series, they become immersed in the story and the location. Even series that are no longer airing new episodes still send tourists to their filming locations. People continue to binge watch series on streaming service even after the series has ended. This creates renewed interest in the series and filming locations.
According to Expedia.com: “Television is sparking wanderlust and influencing our choice of holiday more than ever. Expedia research confirms that streamed movies and TV shows are now the top sources of travel inspiration, overtaking social media for the first time.” This phenomenon was studied by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University. They call it the "Outlander effect" and they specifically studied the impact that the series had on the perception of Scotland and tourism. They observed a 45% increase in visitors to 25 of the show's locations across Scotland. Keep reading for top Outlander filming locations to visit in Scotland.
There are numerous locations around the world that have gained in popularity due to being featured in tv shows. This blog will focus on cities in the UK that have seen an increase in tv-inspired tourism and the tv shows that inspired them.
Tower Bridge in London used in the opening scene of Ted Lasso (Photo: Envato)
Tips for Finding Kosher Food on your TV-Inspired Vacation
Before you plan where you are going, you want to make sure that you will be able to find kosher food. Obviously, the best tip that I have for you is to check TJT. We have guides to kosher and Jewish life for cities around the world. You can search by city or use our “Search Nearby” function to see if there is any kosher food or shuls near your location. It is not difficult to find kosher products in the supermarkets in the UK.. It’s best to stay in one of the larger cities that have kosher food and go on day trips to the filming locations. Many of the filming locations are in remote areas so best to stock up on kosher food before you head out to see the sites.
- England: You can find an extensive list of kosher restaurants and shops as well as shuls in England. Most of the kosher restaurants are in the London and Manchester areas. Some of the filming sites are in London and many of them are within a two-hour drive from London.
- Ireland: Dublin has a Chabad house with a kosher shop and restaurant. Many of the filming locations for Vikings are in Wicklow which is about an hour’s drive from Dublin. Many of the locations for Game of Thrones are not too far from Belfast. Check TJT's guide to kosher and Jewish life in Ireland.
- Scotland: If you are heading to Scotland, you’ll be able to find kosher restaurants and shops in Glasgow. Many of the filming locations are within a two-hour drive from Glasgow. Check TJT's guide to kosher and Jewish life in Scotland.
Royal Crescent in Bath where parts of Bridgerton were filmed (Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash)
England: Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and Ted Lasso
England has long been a draw for tourists and there are many popular tv shows and movies that have made England even more popular with tourists. We are talking about tv shows here so don't expect any mention of Harry Potter (we’re saving that for the movie-inspired travel blog post). I’m sure that there are many more tv shows filmed in England but for today, we are going to focus on Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and Ted Lasso.
Downton Abbey is a TV series set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicting the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff. Fans of the show are drawn to the castle that is the filming location of the family home as well as the surrounding village. The most popular Downton Abbey filming locations to visit:
- Highclere Castle: This castle in Hampshire is the main filming location for Downton Abbey and serves as the exterior and interior of the Crawley family's home. Visitors can explore the castle and its beautiful gardens, which have become a popular tourist attraction.
- Bampton: This village in Oxfordshire was used as the setting for Downton village in the show. Visitors can explore the village and see the church, library and other locations featured in the series.
- Cogges Manor Farm: This farm in Oxfordshire was used as Yew Tree Farm in the show. Visitors can see the farm and its animals, as well as explore the gardens and orchards.
- Lacock Village: This village in Wiltshire was used as the setting for various outdoor scenes in the show. Visitors can explore the village and see the streets and buildings that were used in the series.
Bridgerton is a series based on a series of Regency romance novels by Julia Quinn. The show is set in an alternate version of Regency-era London and follows the lives and love stories of the Bridgerton family and their interactions with other aristocratic families during the matchmaking season. The show features several stunning and regal locations in England. Experience the world of Bridgerton at these popular tourist locations:
- Royal Crescent: This crescent-shaped street in Bath was used as the exterior of the Featherington family's home.
- Holburne Museum: This museum in Bath was used as Lady Danbury's estate in the show. Visitors can explore the museum and see the rooms and gardens that were used in the series.
- Abbey Green: This square in Bath was used as the location for the outdoor market in the show. Visitors can explore the square and see the stalls and shops that were used in the series.
- Bath Street: This street in Bath was used as the location for Modiste's dress shop in the show.
- Beauford Square: This square in Bath was used as the location for the Duke of Hastings' London home in the show.
- Rangers House: This house in London was used as the exterior of the Bridgerton family's home.
- Wilton House: This stately home in Salisbury was used as the interior of the Bridgerton family's home.
- Leigh Court: This mansion in Bristol was used as the location for the interior of Clyvedon Castle in the show. Visitors can explore the mansion and see the rooms that were used in the series.
Ted Lasso is a comedy-drama series that follows the story of Ted Lasso, an American football coach who moves to England to become a soccer coach. The show is set in the present day and features the fictional English Premier League team AFC Richmond. The show features several locations around England which have become popular filming locations and tourist destinations:
- Richmond: The town of Richmond, located in Greater London, is the main filming location for Ted Lasso. Visitors can explore the town and see the locations that were used in the series, including Paved Court Road, where Ted's apartment is located.
- Tower Bridge: This iconic London landmark was used as the location for the opening scene of the first episode of the series.
- Hayes & Yeading United Football Club: This football club in Hayes, England was used as the location for the Richmond Greyhounds' practice pitch in the show.
Powerscourt Waterfall in Ireland where parts of Vikings was filmed (Photo by Sean Kuriyan on Unsplash)
Ireland: Vikings and Game of Thrones
Vikings is a historical drama series that premiered on the History Channel in 2013 and ran for six seasons. The show is set in the late 8th to early 11th century and follows the legendary Viking warrior and farmer, Ragnar Lothbrok, as he rises to become a Scandinavian king and leads raids on England and France. The show was filmed in Ireland and features stunning landscapes and intricate sets that transport viewers back in time.
Here are some of the most popular "Vikings" filming locations in Ireland:
- Lough Tay: This lake in County Wicklow was used as the location for Kattegat in the show.
- Powerscourt Waterfall: This waterfall in County Wicklow was used as the location for the Viking encampment in the show.
- Wicklow Mountains: This mountain range in County Wicklow was used as the location for various outdoor scenes in the show.
- Loughcrew Cairns: This ancient site in County Meath was used as the location for the Viking burial in the show.
- Dublin Castle: This castle in Dublin was used as the location for the Viking settlement in the show. Visitors can explore the castle and see the rooms and surroundings that were used in the series.
Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, depicting the power struggles among noble families in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. Game of Thrones filmed in a number of countries including Croatia and Iceland but for purposes of this blog we will be focusing on filming locations in Northern Ireland.
You might need more than one trip to visit them all but here are some of the top Game of Thrones filming locations:
- Dark Hedges, Ballymoney: Used as the Kingsroad where Arya Stark escaped from King's Landing.
- Castle Ward, Strangford: Served as Winterfell, the ancestral home of the Stark family.
- Ballintoy: Represented the Iron Islands and set the scene for Theon Greyjoy's return home and the kingsmoot.
- Cushendun Caves: Used as the backdrop for the shadow creature's birth in the presence of Melisandre and Davos.
- Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle: Showcased the forests of the North where the Stark children found the direwolf pups.
- Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach: Portrayed Dragonstone's exterior where Stannis Baratheon plotted and the Red Priestess burned the old gods.
- Magheramorne Quarry: Used as Castle Black and the Wall for scenes featuring the Night's Watch.
- Murlough Bay: Acted as both the Iron Islands and Slaver's Bay where Tyrion Lannister and Jorah Mormont were captured.
- Inch Abbey, Downpatrick: Showcased the ruins where King Robb was declared "King in the North" after his victory.
- Shane's Castle, Randalstown: Used for various scenes, including the tourney grounds in Season 1 .
Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands used as a backdrop for Outlander (Photo: Atara Kops)
Scotland: Outlander
Outlander is a historical drama TV series based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a nurse in World War II who mysteriously travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland, where she becomes involved in an epic rebellion and a relationship with a Scottish warrior. The show's beautiful views of Scotland have made fans want to visit those real places.
Here are some of the most popular filming locations for "Outlander" in Scotland:
- Doune Castle: This castle in Stirling was used as Castle Leoch, the home of Clan Mackenzie in the show.
- Culross: This village in Fife was used as the fictional town of Cranesmuir in the show.
- Linlithgow Palace: This palace in West Lothian was used as Wentworth Prison in the show.
- Midhope Castle: This castle in West Lothian was used as Lallybroch, the home of Jamie Fraser in the show.
- Blackness Castle: This castle in Falkirk was used as Fort William in the show.
- Hopetoun House: This stately home in West Lothian was used as the Duke of Sandringham's residence in the show.
- Kinloch Rannoch and Rannoch Moor: This area in Perthshire was used as the location of Craig na Dun, the standing stones that transport Claire back in time.
- Falkland: This village in Fife was used as the setting for 1940s Inverness in the show.
- Glencoe: This area in the Scottish Highlands was used as the backdrop for several scenes in the show.
- Highland Folk Museum: This museum in Newtonmore was used as the setting for the 18th-century village of Cranesmuir in the show.
Castle Ward in Northern Ireland served as Winterfell in Game of Thrones (Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash)
Conclusion
Jump on the bandwagon of one of this year’s hottest travel trends. You can also find organized day trips that will take you around to the filming locations of your favorite shows. If you have already watched these shows then plan your next vacation to see the beautiful filming locations. If not, then here are some ideas for your next show to binge watch in preparation for your next vacation.
As always, we have included where you can find kosher food. If you are traveling over Shabbat then plan to spend Shabbat in one of the larger cities that have a Chabad House, shuls and restaurants or catering options. Remember that wherever you are, you can always use TJT’s “kosher near me” or “kosher nearby” search functions to find kosher eateries in the area. Some of the locations listed above are a bit remote so you might want to plan ahead and bring along food.
Turn off the TV, grab your bag, and dive into the real-life spots of your favorite TV shows!