Christmas film locations

Watching a classic Christmas film is surely one of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit, but why not  take a trip to one of these Christmas film locations?

A new report from London-based sightseeing tour operator Evan Evans Tours has revealed some of the best Christmas film locations to visit in the UK, all of which featured in some of the most iconic and best-loved festive films.

In order of popularity, check out their list of the 10 best Christmas film locations, that you can visit too to get in the Christmas spirit.

Best Christmas film locations

1. Brighton Pier – featured in The Snowman

christmas film locations
Brighton pier is one of the best Christmas film locations, appearing in The Snowman. Credit: Image by Neil Morrell from Pixabay

In an iconic scene in the classic animated Christmas film, the characters fly over Brighton pier as they are ‘walking in the air’ on their way to visit Father Christmas.

2. Covent Garden – featured in Last Christmas

christmas film locations
Covent Garden is the perfect place for a spot of Christmas shopping.

One of London’s most popular areas for shopping, eating and drinking, Covent Garden featured prominently in the recent Christmas film, Last Christmas. If you’re looking to soak up some festive atmosphere in London, this is one of the best places in the city to go.

3. Hogwarts Great Hall – featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Christmas film locations
The Hogwarts Great Hall is one of the most festive Christmas film locations in Britain. Credit: TM & © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR

Although not technically a Christmas film, all of the Harry Potter films have a festive feel about them. In particular, The Goblet of Fire, which features the Yule Ball on Christmas Eve. At the Warner Brothers Studio Tour of the Harry Potter set, the Hogwarts Great Hall is dressed up for Christmas every year as part of their Hogwarts in the Snow exhibition.

4. Notting Hill – featured in Love Actually

Notting Hill is one of London’s most instagrammed areas.

In the running for Britain’s favourite Christmas film of all time, Love Actually follows the lives of eight couples as they navigate trysts in their relationships in the lead-up to Christmas Day. The film has become synonymous with Notting Hill in London, where many of the most famous scenes were shot. Notting Hill is perfect for a weekend mooch; check out the famous Portobello Market every Saturday morning – the world’s largest antiques market.

5. Paddington Station – featured in Paddington

christmas film locations.
Pay a visit to Paddington Bear at Paddington Station. Credit: Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay

We couldn’t talk about Christmas films without mentioning everyone’s favourite bear, Paddington. Again, although not technically a Christmas film, it is the perfect film to snuggle up to on a cold winter’s day with the family. One of the film’s most important scenes takes place at Paddington Station, which is, of course, Paddington Bear’s namesake.

6. Snowshill – featured in Bridget Jones’ Diary

christmas film locations
In the film, Bridget attends a Christmas party with her parents in this quintessential Cotswolds village, and, of course, Mark Darcy is also there.

This quintessential Cotswolds village received a bump in visitors after an appearance in the 2001 romantic comedy Bridget Jones’s Diary. The movie opens in Snowshill with Bridget turning up at her parent’s house on a wintry New Year’s Day. Many people now stop for a photo outside the village church or one of the quaint houses that appear in the film, making it one of Britain’s most popular Christmas film locations.

7. Coventry Cathedral Ruins – featured in Nativity

A firm festive favourite, Nativity! is a joy-filled Christmas film about a little school in Coventry who must put on a showstopper of a Nativity play, worthy of a Hollywood audience. In the film, the children perform their Nativity play in the atmospheric, historic ruins of Coventry cathedral.

8. Elm Hill, Norwich – featured in Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Christmas film locations
A snowy Elms Hill provides a Christmassy backdrop for the film.

This picturesque area of Norwich features heavily in the magical Christmas film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. Snowy Elm Hill provides a backdrop for the adventure and its cobbled streets, multi-coloured houses and quaint shops ensure it’s a hit with visitors on Instagram.

9. Shere – featured in The Holiday

christmas film locations
Shere was the village where Amanda, from LA, spent Christmas in the UK. Credit: Photo by George Piskov at Pexels

One of the best Christmas rom coms, perhaps only rivalling Love Actually, The Holiday put the sleep Surrey village of Shere on the map. Its picture perfect thatched cottages, snowy hills and winding country lanes provided the perfect romantic setting for the charming love story between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law’s characters in the film.

10. Birdsall House – featured in Father Christmas Is Back

Christmas film locations.
The house provided a backdrop for many a Christmassy scene in the film.

A Christmas classic featuring Elizabeth Hurley and Kelsey Grammer, Father Christmas Is Back has many scenes set at the beautiful Birdsall House. The beautiful country house surrounded by glorious Yorkshire countryside is a popular wedding venue and private guided tours of the property are available.

Read more:

Victorian Christmas traditions: The origins of some of our favourite festivities

7 cosy Cotswolds winter hideaways

The best stately homes at Christmas