JAMES BOND
The films: almost every James Bond movie made from 1962 until today.
What to see: Buckingham Palace, where in Die Another Day, Gustave Graves drops in to collect his knighthood by helicopter. Experience London the Bond way with a speedboat cruise down the Thames – there was a high-speed boat chase in The World is Not Enough past the current HQ of MI6 at Vauxhall Cross, the Tower of London, Tobacco Dock and Millenium Dome. Travel just two hours out of London to Hampshire and visit The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, the headquarters for M16 in WWII. It now houses an extensive range of authentic vehicles featured in the films. Relive the scenes: For some Moonraker moments, take a walk along Ebury street (where Hugh Drax’s London hideaway was located) or visit St James’s Park, where Bond said goodbye to Gala Brand.
Shop Bond style at: Floris and Turnbull & Asser - the haute and famous perfumer and shirtmaker on Jermyn Street; at Geo. F. Trumper grooming boutique on Curzon Street, where Bond bought his beauty products; at Savile Row, where both Fleming and Bond had their suits tailored; at John Bell & Croydon on Wigmore Street, which was Bond’s pharmacist; and at Morland & Co on Grosvenor Street, both Bond’s and Fleming’s tobacconist. Also, stop by Sotheby’s, where Bond switches a rare Fabergé egg with a fake in Octopussy.
Where to dine and drink: Follow in the footsteps of Bond in the novel From Russia With Love by taking a coffee break at De Bryon New Oxford Street or having breakfast at the famous Fortnum & Mason. For evening drinks, visit Scott’s on Mount Street, where the dry martini ‘shaken not stirred’ was discovered by Ian Fleming, who frequented Scott’s in the 1950s and 1960s. For supper, dine at The Savoy Grill, which was one of Fleming’s favourite restaurants; or at The Ivy, where Fleming spent much time with his editor, William Plomer. Alternatively, dine at the Bank of England, where Bond has dinner in Goldfinger. Post-dinner, visit the 400 Club in Leicester Square - it was here that Vivienne Michel enjoyed a night in The Spy Who Loved Me; or check out Pratt’s Club on Park Place, a gentlemen’s club, which M was a member of, and in which a dramatic game of cards was set in the novel, Moonraker.
Where to stay: Try The Dorchester, where Bond and Fleming both stayed; The Ritz, where Bond stayed in Diamonds are Forever; or The Savoy where Bond always stayed US$19,000.
HARRY POTTER
The setting for Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films (2001 and 2002), the medieval Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, is the second largest inhabited castle in England and is now one of the most popular tourist places in the UK. Elizabeth (1998) and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (1991) were also shot here.
Relive the film: Harry Potter scenes filmed here include the flying lesson on broomsticks in The Philosopher’s Stone and the crash landing of the flying car in The Chamber of Secrets. Many of the long shots of Hogwart’s in the film are shot at Alnwick, often graphically enhanced with towers. In Northumberland, visit the Benedictine monastery at nearby Durham Cathedral, where many of Hogwart’s hallway scenes were shot. Check out the chapter house here, which served as the fictional Professor McGonagall’s classroom. Kids’ activities: One of Europe’s finest medieval and magical castles, which overlooks the historic market town of Alnwick, you can experience history (experts can show you around and share the fascinating stories), view fine art, experience stunning scenery and enjoy kid-friendly fun activities. Knight’s Quest is a trainee Knight school with sword fighting and jousting challenges, while Dragon’s Quest takes you on a tour through a hall of mirrors where you meet and fight the fiersome Geordie dragon. Experts give guided tours of the Poison Garden, sharing tales of deadly plants, and Harry Potter tours. The Bamboo Labyrinth boasts one of the world’s largest tree houses with wobbly rope bridges, sky walkways and a fabulous tree-top restaurant.
Historic tours: The walls and terraces are great spots from which to view the fantastic scenery and Capability Brown-designed landscape. Visit the stone towers, home to several fascinating museums and exhibitions, and the glorious State Rooms showcasing Italian Renaissance style. Finish with a stroll in the Alnwick Garden and see the largest water feature of its kind in the UK and meander along the pathways.
Where to dine: Voted one of the 50 best places to eat al fresco by The Times, indulge in the homemade cakes or gourmet burgers at the Courtyard Café terrace – the Early Bird menu provides kid-friendly options. Supper on local produce at The Sanctuary.
Where to stay: The beautifully restored Otterburn Tower Country House Hotel, which is nestled within 32 acres of estate and features 18 en-suite rooms with original oak panelling, leaded panes and stained glass. In the restaurant, dine on local produce – it has its own vegetable garden and stretch of lake for fresh trout. Indulge in fabulous English countryside pursuits such as fishing, walking, hunting, shooting and riding.
Other Harry Potter destinations: London’s King Cross Station is the starting point – Platform 4 is where the magical entrance to Platform 93⁄4 was actually filmed. Visit Gloucester Cathedral – the cloisters are where many of the Hogwart’s corridor scenes were filmed. In Oxford, check out the 16th-century staircase at Christ Church, Oxford University, which was used as the entrance to the Hogwart’s dining room, while other Hogwart’s interiors were filmed in Oxford’s Bodleian Library.
ROBIN HOOD
Discover who the real Robin Hood may have been and how Nottinghamshire’s beautiful landscape gave him and his Merry Men places to live, hide and seek adventure.
The film: Ridley Scott’s new Robin Hood remake, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, opened this year.
What to see: Visit the magnificent Nottingham Castle, a 17th century mansion with spectacular views across the city. Famous for its links to the Robin Hood legend and once the seat of power of the Sheriff of Nottingham, it offers stunning scenery. To follow in the legend’s footsteps, hire local Robin Hood actor and heritage ranger for The Sherwood Forest Trust, Ade Andrews, who can take you on a tour of the city. Visit the NCCL Galleries of Justice Museum where the alleged Robin Hood was imprisoned in an underground dungeon by the Sheriff of Nottingham and view the exhibition on the legend, including never-before-seen film and TV memorabilia from the earliest 1938 film with Errol Flynn. Visit Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, once part of a royal hunting forest, where it’s rumoured Robin Hood lived in many parts of Sherwood. The famous Major Oak – the oldest living tree in the forest and some say Robin’s hideout – is a great photo opportunity and take a walk in the 450-acre grounds or visit the exhibition at the visitor centre. For active adventure out of town, learn archery in the wooded depths of Sherwood Forest at the Adrenalin Jungle Activity Centre or head down to the new Olympic-sized indoor archery range at Eaton Manor in Shropshire. Set within 500 acres of estate, you can stay at one of the five cottages and participate in a murder mystery evening, wine tastings or even indulge in massages.
Where to dine: Lunch at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, thought to be the oldest pub in England, where the legend of Robin Hood was spread. Carved out of castle rock, sample some real ales and traditional English cuisine. In the evening, indulge in a banquet at the Galleries of Justice with Leon Unczer, the Sheriff of Nottingham, who is heading a ‘Sheriff’s Commission’ to bring Robin Hood back into official recognition. Or, try The Savile Restaurant, housed in the Victorian kitchens of the abbey and once one of the great private estates in Sherwood Forest.
Where to stay: The Lace Market Hotel, a luxury conversion of two Georgian houses, is located in the trendy Lace Market area of the city and offers an exclusive Paul Smith experience - the designer was born in the city. Think 42 beautiful rooms and a 2 AA Rosette-awarded Merchants Restaurant serving locally-sourced modern British food and one of the best cocktail bars in Nottingham. Near Sherwood Forest, stay in the Forest Lodge Hotel, a 17th century coaching inn.
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Return to the 19th century by visiting the historic haunts of the infamous detective.
The film: First made in 1984 as a TV series, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes ran for a decade, with 41 of the 60 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was made into a film by Sir Guy Ritchie in 2009, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. The Victorian settings were filmed in London, Liverpool and Manchester.
What to see: For authentic Sherlock Holmes history, visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street, where Holmes and his assistant Watson lived. An official guided walking tour of Sherlock Holmes’ London takes in many of the hero’s favourite places including the Royal Opera House, Criterion Restaurant and the recently closed Café Royal. For those who want a more exclusive experience, you can hire your very own Sherlock Holmes expert; the curator of the Sherlock Holmes Collection at Marylebone Library is a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society and will take you on a tour of the entire Sir Arthur Conan Doyle book collection (www.westminster.gov.uk/ libraries.)
Relive the scenes: Visit some of the famous sites in the 2009 film: Saint Bartholomew the Great Church was a setting for the crypt scenes; Hatfield House in Herfordshire (21 miles north of London), which houses historic furnishings and armour, was also used; and the outside of St. Paul’s Cathedral (celebrating its 300th anniversary this year) was transformed into Victorian London for the film. In Manchester, visit the 19th century Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square where the Grand Hall doubled as the interior of the House of Lords, or Castlefield, Britain’s first urban heritage park, which houses a museum, waterside pubs, scenic walks and boat rides. In Liverpool, visit the grand Croxteth Hall and Country Park or check out the Stanley Dock and surrounding docks on the River Mersey where dockside scenes from the film were shot.
Where to dine: Supper the Sherlock way with drinks and dinner at Sir Guy Ritchie’s celebrity-heavy pub in Mayfair. Built in the1750’s, The Punch Bowl boasts blackened fireplaces and portraits of 18th-century figures. Feast in true Holmes style on sausages and mash and a fine wine. For more true Holmes memorabilia, try the Sherlock Holmes Pub in Westminster – dine in the 221B restaurant upstairs, while watching non-stop Sherlock Holmes TV shows. For fine-dining finesse, visit Simpson’s-in-the-Strand (since 1828) where Holmes would inevitably end up after a baffling case. Discover a classic English menu – think cuts of lean roast beef and lamb - white-vested formal waiters and dark wood pannelling. Luxe out on a banquet lunch at Peckforton Castle, a Victorian gothic mansion, the backdrop for many episodes of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Where to stay: In London, stay at Millennium Bailey’s Hotel London Kensington, a magnificently restored Victorian townhouse, with authentic Victorian décor and original Victorian features such as sweeping staircases and real fireplaces. In Liverpool, stay at Hollins Hey Hotel, a 19th-century Victorian villa, which comes with views of Liverpool Bay, a cocktail lounge with open fire, and a restaurant with one of the largest à la carte selections in Merseyside. In Manchester, stay at the five-star Radisson Edwardian Hotel; one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. With its soaring lobby, it offers a contemporary art collection, a spa deep in the building’s vaults, and dramatic and decadent dining at Opus One restaurant. The 263 luxurious rooms are richly decorated with marble bathrooms.