TV and film are playing a major role in our life choices, especially where we enjoy a day out with the family, that’s according to new research commissioned by The National Lottery.
The public’s love of TV and film effects our choices for a day out, with six in 10 adults visiting somewhere because movies and shows have been filmed there, encouraging them to explore the UK and beyond in the process.
Half of those surveyed say that blockbuster TV and film shows such as Bridgerton, Game of Thrones and Harry Potter have inspired them to travel to different parts of the UK and for almost five in ten, these aspirations have been held since they were teens or younger.
The research was commissioned to launch The National Lottery Open Week which takes place from the 19 March – 27 March and sees venues and attractions around the UK offer free entry and special offers as a thank you to National Lottery players for the £30 million raised every week for good causes.
Over 60% of those surveyed have TV and film locations on their wish list of places to visit, with Causeway Coast (Game of Thrones), coming out on top, while the Eden Project (James Bond Die Another Day), Hampton Court Palace (Bridgerton), Bletchley Park (The Imitation Game), Glencoe (Harry Potter) and the Black Country Living Museum (Peaky Blinders) also featuring in the list.
While a third have ventured to such places in the hope of experiencing ‘the magic of TV’, a further third takes a trip ‘to feel closer’ to their favourite characters.
Four in 10 of those who’ve visited locations featured on screen also say they have done so to get insider knowledge on a show or film.
The National Lottery has created The Insider’s Guide to The National Lottery Open Week, offering insider tips and info on the venues taking part in the initiative, including where to visit movie and TV locations and the things to look out for.
Presenter Vick Hope visited London’s Hampton Court Palace to find out some insider tips from Historic Royal Palaces team member Rosie Holmes and was photographed there by Tom Oldham.
Hope says : “I jumped at the chance to meet local experts to discover insider knowledge about some of the UK’s iconic venues taking part in The National Lottery Open Week. As a huge TV fan, exploring the impressive Hampton Court Palace that features in the opening scenes of Bridgeton was a great experience.”
Over half of adults (58%) say a place makes for a more appealing day out if it’s made it to screen. Forty-six per cent of those surveyed say they would be happy to travel further within the UK to see places that have featured in their favourite shows or movies.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England and Chair of The National Lottery Forum said: “Television and cinema are an integral part of UK culture, providing us with wonderful memories. Trips to these sites are pilgrimages that help bring favourite shows and films to life.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re able to invest in and protect these special places and landscapes across the whole of the UK. The National Lottery Open Week is a great opportunity for people to explore some of them, including The Eden Project, Hampton Court Palace, and the Black Country Living Museum.
"Alongside hundreds of other venues and attractions, they’ll be offering National Lottery players free entry and special offers to say thank you for the £30m they raise for good causes each week.”
Hilary McGrady, Director-General of National Trust, said: “National Trust places have long inspired creativity across the nation, from poets and painters to blockbuster films.
"From Mr Darcy diving into the lake at Lyme to Harry Potter exploring the cloisters at Lacock Abbey, National Trust places have appeared in some of the UK’s most iconic film and TV moments, and we’re delighted to be opening over 130 places during National Lottery Open Week.
"As well as inspiring National Lottery players to go behind the scenes, it’s also our big chance to say thank you. With the generous support of National Lottery players we’re able to look after and open up historic places and green spaces for everyone, forever."
Aside from exploring TV and movie locations, when it comes to planning a day out, 78% are also keen to travel the UK to visit places they haven’t seen before. Additional motivations when choosing where to visit include exploring wildlife, learning something new, being inspired by history and being able to take four-legged friends.
During their visits, over half of adults also say they turn to venue experts for insider knowledge, with 66% keen to tell others about the places they’ve visited.
TOP 20 – UK TV AND MOVIE LOCATIONS ADULTS WANT TO VISIT
- Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland (Game of Thrones, Hellboy 2, Dracula Untold)
- Eden Project, Cornwall (Die Another Day)
- Hampton Court Palace, London (Bridgerton, Victoria, Pirates of the Caribbean)
- Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes (The Imitation Game)
- Natural History Museum, London (Paddington)
- Glencoe, Argyll, Scotland (Harry Potter, Braveheart, Skyfall, Mary Queen of Scots)
- Snowdonia, Wales (King Arthur Legend of The Sword)
- Durham Cathedral, Durham, England (Harry Potter)
- Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (Pride and Prejudice, The Duchess)
- British Museum, London (Wonder Woman, Night at The Museum 3)
- Glenfinnan Viaduct, Lochaber, Scotland (Harry Potter)
- Cairngorms National Park, Scotland (Mary Queen of Scots)
- Shakespeare's Globe, London (Shakespeare in Love)
- The Lizard, Cornwall (Poldark)
- Black Country Living Museum, Birmingham (Peaky Blinders)
- Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, England (Harry Potter, Downton Abbey)
- Royal Crescent, Bath, Somerset (Bridgerton)
- Lincoln Castle, Lincoln (Downton Abbey)
- National Botanic Garden of Wales (Doctor Who)
- Bodnant Garden, Wales (The Secret Garden)
National Lottery players can visit nationallotteryopenweek.com to find the Insider’s Guide to Open Week, special offers and free entry from National Lottery funded venues to say #Thankstoyou for the £30m they raise for good causes each week.
