Unmissable film locations in North East England

Films and TV shows have the power to immerse us in a story and transport us across time and places. The often-uncredited locations are the unsung stars of the show – with the right setting, we can be transported to 1940s Britain or even travelling across the stars to planets far, far away.

North East England is home to so many superstar locations, including Durham, Northumberland and Newcastle. From locally-set TV shows like Vera and Inspector George Gently to big Hollywood blockbusters, read on to see all the star-of-the-show locations you can explore in the region.

Newcastle and Gateshead

A city that is still reminiscent of its industrial past, Newcastle and Gateshead are packed with beautiful buildings and streets steeped in history. It’s no surprise that so many iconic films have utilised spots in Newcastle and Gateshead, including 2017’s Transformers: The Last Knight which features Grainger Street during a scene of falling rubble, and classic gangster flick Get Carter starring Michael Caine which contains the now-demolished Trinity Centre car park in Gateshead as well as other iconic features High Level Bridge, Swing Bridge Pink Lane and the Half Moon pub (now called The Victoria Comet).

You can still spot the majority of these famous sites when walking around the city. See how many of them you recognise the next time you watch these films!

Northumberland

Bamburgh

Standing tall atop a cliff, the magnificent Bamburgh Castle has been a constant sight of Northumberland's landscape for over 1,000 years. The breath-taking scenery both at Bamburgh Castle and Beach have attracted a range of films and their star-studded casts.

• What was filmed in Bamburgh?

The most recent instalment of Hollywood blockbuster, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny filmed its opening scene at Bamburgh Castle, where hero Indiana Jones is captured by Nazis before performing a daring escape. Transformers: The Last Knight also sees a celebrity cast of Mark Wahlberg, Laura Haddock and Sir Anthony Hopkins at Bamburgh Castle as it is revealed to be the site of the film’s 'Castle Colgan'. Other noteworthy films that have shot scenes at Bamburgh Castle include Macbeth (1971 and 2015), The BFG and Elizabeth.

• Was Harry Potter filmed at Bamburgh?

One of the most loved and recognised film series in the world is Harry Potter. Did you know that several scenes from the Harry Potter movies are actually located in the North East? While Bamburgh was surprisingly not used, other scenic areas of the region were utilised such as Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle.

Alnwick

Home to the beautiful Alnwick Garden and Alnwick Castle, this quaint Northumberland town has had its fair share of Hollywood visitors. Alnwick Castle has been immortalised in iconic moments from movies such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Downton Abbey and the recent Dungeon and Dragons film adaptation. Most famously, it featured in Harry Potter as the aerial view of Hogwarts School. It’s also where Harry, Ron and Hermione receive their first broomstick flying lesson in The Philosopher’s Stone!

Transformers: The Last Knight also showed both the stunning interior and exterior of Alnwick Castle in scenes shot as ‘Castle Colgan’. Most notably, Alnwick Castle’s Library, Inner Bailiey and Lion Bridge were featured.

Enjoy a day out to the must-visit Alnwick, perfect for solo travellers, groups of friends and families alike. Experiences at Alnwick Castle are available to book today.

Durham

Located just south of Newcastle on the River Wear, Durham is also home to several superstar locations. Durham Cathedral was used in the Harry Potter films for exterior shots of Hogwarts as well as in Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, where the cathedral’s Galilee Chapel and parts of the main building were transformed into the palace of Asgard, the home planet of Thor. Other global hits that feature locations in Durham include Netflix’s The Witcher, Oscar and BAFTA-award winning film 1917 and northern classic Billy Elliot.

• What was filmed on Seaham Beach?

As well as big blockbusters, much-loved TV series set around the region have also benefitted from the gorgeous coastal landscapes of Durham. Local detective Vera Stanhope, played by Brenda Blethyn, has explored much of the region during her career from Northumberland to Durham, including Peterlee’s Apollo Pavillion and Seaham Beach. Durham City and the surrounding areas, including Seaham Beach, are also used for scenes in Inspector George Gently, a detective series set in 1960s North East England. Ushaw Historic House and Gardens and Durham Cathedral also provided backdrops for several scenes of this popular crime drama.

You can discover the North East’s superstar locations and more through New Adventures today. Check out our Film and TV section for all the best experiences to explore the region when you’re set jetting.