12 Holiday Destinations With Starring Roles
Ever watched a film or TV show and been so captivated by its setting that you want to visit in real life?
Image Photo by Manuel López on Unsplash
You’re not alone, screen tourism is an emerging global trend with 70% of visitors to the UK visiting a film or TV location during a leisure trip.
Series such as Game of Thrones and White Lotus have drawn visitors to Northern Ireland, Northern Spain, Croatia, Thailand and Iceland, enabling fans to stand on the exact spot their favourite characters stood.
For those wanting to step inside their TV (a la Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), the travel experts at Discover Ferries have compiled a list of the best filming locations to visit across the British Isles, Europe and Ireland.
Abby Penlington, Director of Discover Ferries, says: “Dramatic cliffs, idyllic islands and sweeping coastlines make the perfect filming locations, so unsurprisingly many of the most breathtaking scenes are filmed in places that are best reached by ferry. This makes the voyage an essential part of the journey into the worlds where our favourite stories take place.”
With so many new shows and familiar favourites ready to be viewed this autumn, get ready for your next bon voyage to be inspired by the screen.
Dublin – the backdrop of Netflix’s hit Wednesday and House of Guinness
The Irish capital has become a prime location for Netflix. The streaming giant shot areas in and around Dublin for its hit show Wednesday, including Trinity College, Deansgrange Cemetery and Powerscourt Demesne. The city is also the setting of its next period drama, The House of Guinness. Hitting screens in late September, the series follows the story of the brewing dynasty. From the creator of Peaky Blinders, audiences are expected to crave a pint of “black gold” and venture to Dublin in search of the debaucherous history behind the Guinness family. A stop at the Guinness brewery is a must, but visit The Arthur Guinness Dwelling House, situated at James’s Street Gate, for more insight into the brand’s history. Built in 1799 adjacent to the brewery, the residence enabled Arthur to closely monitor his business operations.
• Get a slice of the action and travel to Dublin with Irish Ferries or Stena Line.
London – Real Housewives of London
London has featured in countless films and TV programmes from James Bond and Harry Potter to The King’s Speech and Spiderman. However, Hulu has dropped the newest franchise of its popular reality hit, Real Housewives, and it features the city playing a starring role. Expect to see dramatic interactions between six of London’s most affluent and glamourous women against a backdrop of restaurants, shops and landmarks across the city.
The best way to take in the sights? Travel through the heart of the city with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, you can even add a touch of real housewife glamour with a glass of bubbles as you pass by Tower Bridge and the Palace of Westminster. Fans of Apple TV’s spy thriller Slow Horses may recognise the boats from several scenes and, with a new series dropping in September, now is the perfect time for the whole family to sail down the Thames to spot iconic landmarks featured in their favourite shows.
Jersey – Bergerac
This year’s re-boot of the 1980s detective series proved hugely popular with audiences – appealing to the nostalgia of older fans and enticing a swathe of younger viewers. The golden sunshine, calm coastline and uniquely Brit-ish Channel Island vibe plays a central role in setting the scene for Detective Bergerac’s investigations. Returning for a second series that will air in 2026, the cast have been shooting on the island of Jersey this summer.
• Travel to Jersey with DFDS.
Tobermory – Balamory
The beloved children’s television show from the early noughties is returning to our screens. Famed for its colourful houses, quirky island community and Hebridean accents, the show is filmed in the charming town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Stroll along the harbour to see the houses that belong to Edie McCredie, PC Plum and other characters. For anyone who grew up watching the show, this will be a nostalgic trip but anyone with little ones will enjoy watching the next generation discover the stories of Balamory.
• Sail to Mull with Caledonian MacBrayne.
Northern Ireland – Hope Street
As BBC drama Hope Street is set to return to screens and celebrate its 50th episode, fans can visit the locations that double as the fictional Port Devine police station, have a drink in The Commodore pub, and discover other key spots from the show. The show is filmed in and around the picturesque town of Donaghadee in County Down on Northern Ireland’s stunning Ards Peninsula. With its beautiful beaches, stunning coastal views, and charming harbour, the town itself is as much a star as the cast.
• Reach Donaghadee by sea and sail to Belfast with Stena Line or to Larne with P&O Ferries.
North West Spain – The Gardener / El Jardinero
This hypnotic thriller became a global hit this spring, claiming more than 7.7million views making it the number 1 Netflix non-English language series in the world. The show’s atmosphere is deeply tied to Galicia’s lush green landscapes. Hop in the car to find the winding roads, ancient stone villages and quiet rural homesteads that make the series so immersive.
• Sail to Santander or Bilbao with Brittany Ferries and explore Galicia’s atmospheric coast and countryside.
Isle of Man – This City is Ours
Starring Sean Bean and tracking the antics of an organised crime family based in Liverpool, BBC drama This City is Ours featured scenes on Manx waters. Viewers may have even caught a glimpse of Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s ferry, Ben-my-Chree in scenes. Fans can even recreate the opening scene from episode 4 and stand on the outer deck where Jack McMullen’s character stood and watch the waves before docking in Douglas.
• Sail to the Isle of Man for a 5-day short break for £137.50 each way for a car and 2 people.
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Isle of Wight – Fragile
This 2005 horror film featuring Calista Flockhart was largely filmed on the Isle of Wight. The film opens with her character travelling to the island on a Red Funnel ferry, passing by a Wightlink ship, before disembarking in East Cowes. She even travels along Ryde Pier, passing the seaside town of Ryde, home to Hovertravel, before heading to work as a nurse at an old hospital.
Isles of Scilly – Archipelago
Set on the island of Tresco, the 2010 film follows a family on a summer holiday. Starring Tom Hiddleston, the Isles of Scilly provides a semi tropical backdrop and a metaphor for the plot. Here the characters explore their discordant relationships and their roles within the family, which are likened to a group of scattered islands in a large body of water or an archipelago.
• Sail to the Isles of Scilly on the Scillonian III with Isles of Scilly Travel.
Northern France – Dunkirk
The north French coast is rich in military and maritime history due to its strategic location in the first and second world wars. Christopher Nolan’s 2017 blockbuster, Dunkirk, tells the story of Operation Dynamo, evacuation of British and Allied soldiers in 1940 and how civilians were encouraged to use their own boats to help efforts. These hundreds of “little ships” were crucial in returning troops home and the film pays homage to the people involved. Among these ships was a 1926 paddle steamer that was named to celebrate the birth of Princess Elizabeth, later the Queen of England. Now located in Dunkirk marina, The Princess Elizabeth is open to the public as a bar and gourmet restaurant – fans of the film will recognise her from her appearance in Nolan’s masterpiece.
• Visit Dunkirk by sailing directly from Dover with DFDS or via Calais with DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries.
Guernsey – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Set in 1946, just after the island was liberated from the Nazis, the 2018 film, based on a book of the same name, explores what life was like for residents under occupation. Following in the protagonist’s footsteps, visitors can truly connect with Guernsey’s history and gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the local people and the quiet courage they showed during World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary since the Germans left, yet there are still the remains of the concrete fortifications, bunkers and gun emplacements, which transformed the Channel Islands into the most fortified place on Earth.
• Travel to Guernsey with Brittany Ferries and visit La Valette Underground Military Museum, the German Occupation Museum and the Underground Hospital to learn more.
Dover – Britain’s Busiest Port
And if you’re interested in seeing real life maritime adventures unfold on the big screen, check out Channel 4’s documentary Dover 24/7: Britain’s Busiest Port. Taking a look behind day-to-day operations by the world’s busiest shipping lane, the series aired earlier this year but is available to watch on demand.
• Visit DiscoverFerries.com for more flight-free destination inspiration.
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