Archive for December, 2009

As the BFI London Film Festival recently took place in the nation’s capital, we thought we might take a bit of time to celebrate some of the country’s most beautiful locations that have seen their charms magnified on the big screen.

For obvious reasons we’ve decided to only focus on the most memorable and popular films. We’ve also only included locations that would make for a worthwhile visit even if they hadn’t been captured on the silver screen, so we won’t be directing you to an industrial estate somewhere in the south east just because James Bond once changed a tyre there!

Harry Potter, Robin Hood – Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.

Alnwick Castle’s lavish 42 acre gardens provide a more contemporary attraction to visitors, but filmmakers are attracted by the striking medieval architecture.

The castle’s courtyard and battlements have provided the requisite dramatic backdrop for a number of legendary conflicts on screen, including Quidditch matches in the Harry Potter films and duels between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Kevin Costner’s Prince of Thieves and Russell Crowe’s upcoming (and not very imaginatively titled) Robin Hood.

The castle was also featured, in a slightly less legendary fashion, as a location for an episode of The Antiques Roadshow.

Many of the productions filmed at Alnwick Castle are celebrated in a range of activities, including archery lessons, magic shows and ‘guess the value of the vase’ – one of which we’ve just completely made up.

Find out more on their website.

Four Weddings and A Funeral – Amersham, Berkshire.

If judged by its imitators, Richard Curtis’ enormously popular rom-com is perhaps the best example of a modern British comedy. The film cemented Hugh Grant as a leading man and became one of the highest grossing British films ever made.

Four Weddings and a Funeral made good use of its location photography by capturing some incredible shots of beautiful British scenery. And although it was filmed all over the country, two of the most popular landmarks for fans of the film are the pubs that made up ‘The Jolly Boatman’. Wonder why that could be?

The exterior shots of The Boatman were actually the Kings Arms in the small market town of Amersham, in Buckinghamshire, while the interior shots were filmed in The Crown Inn down the road. Apparently The Crown still features the four-poster bed which featured prominantly in one of the scenes, which presumably means visitors can feel it with their fingers, and their toes. Ahem.

Find directions to The Crown on their website.

We’ll be back soon with more incredible filming locations to visit. In the meantime, if you’re thinking of taking a UK holiday cottage break why not check availability of some beautiful properties on easycottages.com.

The Mayor of London’s recent decision to raise public transport fares by up to 20% seems to have already angered a lot of people but its effect on tourism remains to be seen. London is already considered by some to be an expensive holiday destination so it’s possible that the extra expense in transport might put some people off entirely.

But taking a bus or tube isn’t the only way to get a flavour of the capital, here we list five other ways to explore the streets, skies and waters of London.

Foot. Much of London is pedestrianised and the congestion charge puts a lot of people off driving. However, due to its sheer size, if you plan on exploring London on foot you need to make sure that you have mapped your path out, that your route is achievable and that you’re wearing comfy shoes….very comfy shoes! Failing that there are a number of great themed walking tours that take in all the sights and sounds and let you know a bit more about the history of the city.

Boat. Taking a trip down the Thames gives you some of the best views of London and its magnificent landmarks. There are many boats to choose from and most of them offer cover in case the weather lets you down. Also, if you fancy taking a trip onto dry land, you can buy day tickets that let you get on and off at whatever pier you choose.

Helicopter. As good as the views from a boat are, they’re surely no match for a view from the sky. Taking a helicopter tour of UK’s capital lets you see a side of the city that is normally only available to the birds. The downside is that helicopters aren’t really very cheap and you’re limited by where you’re picked up and dropped off. Still, if you saved money by attempting to navigate London on foot  you’ve probably earned it!

Taxi. London’s iconic black cabs are a great way to get from A to B when you’re on a break in the city. And thanks to ‘the knowledge’, you shouldn’t need a map to find where you’re going. The only problem with getting about by taxi is that it tends to be a little expensive and if you’re taking one to save money then you’re probably taking one for the wrong reason!

Pedicab. Essentially London’s version of a rickshaw and increasingly popular with tourists, pedicabs are a novel way of getting round the city but you’re essentially paying for the experience as opposed to a viable mode of transport. Because pedicabs are pedal powered they are more environmentally friendly than taxis, but it’s because of this reason that they are unsuitable for longer journeys.

However you choose to travel around London, we’re sure you’ll have a great time doing it. If you have any opinions or suggestions on London transport then please leave a comment in the section below.

If you’d like to book a break in the capital then easycottages.com have some fantastic holiday properties in London.