Some of the most memorable films of our age have been set in the United Kingdom, and more specifically, in the English capital city of London. Seeing monuments like the famous Marble Arch or natural sights like the expansive River Thames in the background of these movies always makes us want to jump on the first flight to Great Britain.
There is a special quality to British films that makes them stand out from the rest. Maybe it’s the stunning scenery, especially in those films set beyond London in the English countryside. And maybe it’s something else! Keep reading to find out what 10 British films make us want to travel to the U.K.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is not only one of the most famous and beloved British romance films of all time but is also one of the best romance films period. Who wouldn’t fall in love with the story of a shy bookshop owner from Notting Hill who finds a happy ending with a movie star from America?
The relationship between Will and Anna is what really captivates us in this movie, but the scenery also makes us want to book a one-way ticket to London. We get to see some of the city in the background, especially the famous Portobello Road.
The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap isn’t strictly a British film: it’s half British and half American. Though most scenes take place in the United States, we do get to see some of London when Hallie Parker, played by Lindsay Lohan, goes to London disguised as her twin sister Annie James, to live with her mother.
We see some stock footage of some of the major sights of London and also hear about how Annie and her mom love to spend their time getting lost in Harrods. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend your time!
The Harry Potter Films
Even though a lot of what we see in the Harry Potter films isn’t exactly real, they still make us want to travel to the United Kingdom. In the later films, we get to see the three main characters spending some time in London before getting on with their fight against Voldemort. We also get to see the iconic Kings Cross Station, which is the first place that any Harry Potter fan visits when they travel to London.
Hogwarts itself may not be real, but many scenes were filmed in various locations around the United Kingdom. Seeing the stunning green scenery makes us want to explore the British countryside.
Bohemian Rhapsody
There are two things that Bohemian Rhapsody inspires us to do: listen to every Queen album on repeat and travel to London. Even though the city itself isn’t the focus of the film, which follows the life of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury, we still get to see some of London in the background.
The film also shows us iconic London locations, such as Wembley Stadium where Queen performed their Live Aid set, and Garden Lodge, where Freddie Mercury lived. The original Wembley Stadium was rebuilt, but you can still visit the outside of the real Garden Lodge in London today.
Sliding Doors
Sliding Doors doesn’t get quite as much attention as other British romance films do, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less enjoyable. The story follows Helen who gets fired from her PR job and is unknowingly being cheated on by her boyfriend.
We get to see Helen miss the train on her way home from work, and an alternate reality where she doesn’t miss the train, and how the two events have different consequences. There are a few prominent London sights that we get to see in the background which makes us want to hop on the next plane across the Atlantic!
A Fish Called Wanda
While A Fish Called Wanda is set against a London backdrop, the film doesn’t show us all of the breathtaking sights that the English capital has to offer. But still, watching this classic comedy makes us want to travel to the U.K. anyway. There’s just a certain charm that the film has that makes us feel like we can’t get enough of all things British.
Two of the film’s protagonists, Wanda and Otto, are American, but several hilarious and memorable British characters are still featured. Archie Leach, in particular, played by John Cleese, makes us fall in love with British humor.
About A Boy
Starring Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult, About a Boy is another quintessentially British film that gives us serious London cravings. In the background, we get to catch a glimpse of Clerkenwell, where Will’s apartment is located, as well as the Regent’s Park Zoo, where Will and Marcus chat about the difference between a girl who’s your friend and a girlfriend.
The film, which was adapted from the novel written by Nick Hornby, is about Grant’s Will, who befriends a young boy called Marcus and ends up learning how to be an adult through their friendship.
Atonement
It has been over 10 years since Atonement was first released and we’re still not over the way this story toyed with our emotions. The powerful tale of one girl’s desire to atone a big mistake that she made was adapted from a novel written by Ian McEwan.
The film doesn’t give us London cravings, per se, but the stunning scenes of crisp green countryside do make us want to visit the United Kingdom and maybe spend a little time in the countryside. The manor scenes were filmed at Stokesay Court in Shropshire. And luckily for fans of the film, you can even book a guided tour of the grounds!
The Holiday
Like The Parent Trap, The Holiday shows us scenes that take place in the United States as well as those that take place in the United Kingdom. When English woman Iris and American Amanda connect online, they organize to switch houses for two weeks over the Christmas period. While Amanda stays in Iris’s idyllic and classic cottage in the English countryside, Iris stays in Amanda’s L.A. mansion.
Sadly, Iris’s cottage isn’t a real place that you can stay at. It was built purposely for the film. However, there are several other cottages just like it in the Cotswolds region of England.
Love Actually
Picking the best British film in difficult, but many fans would nominate the Christmas flick Love Actually as their absolute favorite English movie. The story follows several characters as they navigate through their lives and love lives in London in the week leading up to Christmas.
We get to see lots of classic London locations and the enchanting vibe of the film makes us wish that we could be there amongst all the action. Whether it’s the lights or the snow, there’s something about London at Christmas that really is magical.
