England and it’s biggest city, London has been the setting for many films over the years. London is a fun city to explore, but if you are going to visit, try and get out of the city and see some of the countryside as well.
On This Site…
Some of the filming locations I’ve visited in London and England include Notting Hill, Love Actually, Billy Elliot, and Coronation Street. In the Extras section, you can also read about my favourite musical, Billy Elliot The Musical.
Don’t Miss…
London’s West End
Anyone who know’s me knows I love Broadway Musicals, and try to catch them whenever I can. Well London has a theatre scene that is just as big as New York. London refers to it’s theatre district as the West End, and it’s theatres are scattered around the downtown area. I highly recommend catching a show when you are in London.
Runway Visitor Park
If you find yourself in Manchester, check out the Runway Visitor Park. This aviation museum is located next to Manchester Airport. The museum has a British Airways Concorde on display. There is an extra fee to visit, but they’ve built a wonderful experience which includes going inside the famous aircraft.
The park also features a number of other retired aircraft that you can visit. It’s also located next to one of the runways, providing a great place to plane-spot.
Churchill War Rooms
If you are interested in history, the Churchill War Rooms will give you a glimpse into how the government operated during World War 2. You’ll visit a series of underground bunkers which housed the government, allowing it to continue running under even the most dire circumstances.
The Globe Theatre
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to watch a Shakespeare play in the Globe Theatre. If you aren’t familiar, the Globe is a recreation of the original Globe Theatre that existed in London hundreds of years ago (with some enhancements for safety and fire regulations). You can choose between seats or standing in the pit surrounding the stage. I chose to take a front row seat in the upper level, and the view was quite good. I know some people enjoy the experience of standing in the pit, but I don’t think my bad knees would have appreciated it.
Overall the experience was amazing. You truly feel like you are being transported back to the 1600s. There are no microphones or lighting used, so everything is performed just like it would have been back in those days. It really is something any theatre fan should experience.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
If you are able to get to Stratford-Upon-Avon, it’s a lovely town. Any visit wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace. This timber-framed house dates back to the 1500s, and is now operated as a museum. As a house, there isn’t anything that stands out, there is no shadow of Shakespeare imprinted on the floor. But it is quite interesting to step inside such an old house and see how they would have been designed and laid out.
The grounds are beautiful, with a large garden in the back of the house. If you get a chance, take a stroll along the Avon River as well.
How To Get Around…
If you are just visiting London, you won’t need a car rental. There are trains from all the airport to take you into the city. The London Tube system is very well laid out and convenient to get around. You can even buy your Oyster Card from home, loaded with funds, and ready to use when you arrive. Don’t worry, you can always top it off with more money if needed.
There are also lots of taxis and ride-sharing services that make it easy to get around. The costs are quite reasonable for these options as well, and are easy to use if the Tube doesn’t work for you.
If you are getting out of London into other parts of England, you’ll have to decide the best option. Going between cities, England has a well run train system that is easy to use. If you want to get off the beaten track, you may need to look into renting a car.
*Please note I haven’t received compensation for any recommendations on this site. These are my own opinions*
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