7 Movie and Film Locations in Northumberland

Our glorious northern county of Northumberland is centre stage in many movies and films. There are historic buildings, castles galore, breath-taking landscapes, a striking coastline and some of the world’s best beaches (IMHO).  Northumberland has been seen on both the large and small screen – you might have noticed scenes in blockbusters like Harry Potter and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.  Here’s our guide to Northumberland’s film and movie sites and how to visit them.

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Many of the dramatic Northumberland landscapes that we know and love have been made famous by films that have been shot here.    England’s most northerly county has a deep cinematic appeal and it makes for a great focus on a trip through the scenes that you’ll recognize from the silver (and smaller) screens.  We’ll include the notable filming locations and tips for visiting all these sites.

Northumberland is a Film Makers Dream

Whether it’s one of our stunning castles, or empty beaches we’ve seen Northumberland as the star of the show in a huge number of both made for TV and acclaimed silver screen movies.  There are famous magical castles and even Harry’s Potter’s first broomstick flying lesson (hint, it was in Alnwick).

With such a rich history, our border county is a backdrop for action, fantasy and period drama too – using the stunning landscapes that include a magnificent coastline, glorious castles and magical islands.  You’ll find also, the site of what was the most photographed tree in the country (until some idiot chopped it down), made famous the world over. 

7 Famous Films Shot in Northumberland

When it comes to Hollywood, Northumberland is no stranger.  Here are 7 top movies that have been filmed in Northumberland.

1.     Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves

At Hadrian’s Wall and Sycamore Gap, Robin and Azeem (Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman) are depicted walking en route to Robin’s father.  They pick mistletoe from the tree.  It’s a small cameo, but an important one that has preserved the famous tree for all to see.  You can also see the ruins of Hulne Priory in this 1991 movie.  It’s used as the home of Maid Marian.  It was also used as a location for the TV series, Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986) with Michael Praed where it was depicted as Kirklees Abbey.   Hulne Priory is owned by the Duke of Northumberland, but is free to visit.

• More on Hadrian’s Wall and Sycamore Gap in our guide to Hadrian’s Wall
• Visit Hulne Priory most easily from Alnwick – its free to visit, but there are no facilities here.

2.     Outlaw King

The historical action drama, Outlaw King, tells the tale of the rise of Robert the Bruce and his 14^th century uprising.  It dates from 2018 and covers a 3 year period from 1304 detailing Bruce’s rebellion against Edward I.   The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6, 2018 before being commercially released in November 2018. Most of the filming locations were in Scotland, but the border town of Berwick upon Tweed features heavily.

You’ll see the quayside in Berwick and the old Bridge being portrayed as both Glasgow and London Bridge.

• Explore the area yourself with our guide to Berwick upon Tweed.

3.     The Railway Man

As equally harrowing as the book of the same name, this movie portrays Colin Firth as Eric Lomax, as World War II prisoner of war.   The movie dates from 2013 and is based on the 1995 autobiography of Eric Lomax, his experiences as a POW on the Thai Burma railway and the trauma’s that he still felt some 30 years later.  (If you haven’t visited this part of the world I highly recommend it – I wrote about visiting here)

Lomax and his wife lived close to Lindisfarne and thus Northumberland features in the movie.  You can see Lomax and his wife, Patty, on the beach at Lindisfarne as well as both the railway station in Berwick upon Tweed and the glorious Royal Border Bridge near the town too.

• See the beaches and island of Lindisfarne (aka Holy Island) in our guide to Holy Island
• Visit Berwick upon Tweed and the iconic Royal Border Bridge

4.     Transformers – The Last Knight

This sci-fi thriller was released in 2017, and used both the interior and exterior of Alnwick Castle in the movie.    This final instalment in the five film series may have been panned by the critics, but still netted more than US$605 million worldwide.

There’s Merlin (more usually found in Cornwall), King Arthur, the Saxons and a famous list of actors including Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel and Sir Anthony Hopkins.   Filming took place at Alnwick Castle, Seahouses and Bamburgh beach.  Walhberg also visited St Aidan’s Church in Seahouses leaving a sizeable £200 donation as he left.  Some of the car chase scenes were filmed around Alnwick, and you’ll also see the movie franchises famous cars and tanks throughout.

• Visit Bamburgh (and the beach)
• Head to Seahouses and St Aidan’s Church
• Explore Alnwick Castle – it’s depicted in spring time in the movie, courtesy of the plastic daffodils planted to insinuate the season!

5.  &  6. Harry Potter – the Philosopher’s Stone & The Chamber of Secrets

The dramatic Alnwick Castle is first seen in 2000, in the first Harry Potter movie – the Philosopher’s Stone.  It’s where Harry learns to fly his broomstick – you’ll be able to relive the experience (or at least part of it) in the outer bailey at the castle, where broomstick flying lessons are on offer.  Alnwick Castle (as well as Gloucester Cathedral) was selected as the principal location for Hogwarts.  So as you wander around the castle, you’ll see some rather familiar looking courtyards.

Big fans of Harry Potter might also recognise the site of the Weasley car crash, when Harry and Ron crash landed the car.  It took place in the inner baily of the castle.  The castle also appears in the second movie, the Chamber of Secrets.

Harry Potter Movie locations at Alnwick Castle

Here are the Alnwick Castle locations where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.

The Outer Bailey

The scene of the first broomstick lesson, this is where Harry also learns the Quidditch rules.

The Inner Bailey

The site of the crash of the Weasley flying car in the second movie, the Chamber of Secrets.

The Lion Arch 

Alnwick Castle’s Lion Arch is used as the entrance and exit to Hogwarts.  It’s where Harry leaves to head off to Hagrid’s cabin and the Forbidden Forest.

7.     Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Set in 1969, the 2023 movie is the final instalment of the Indiana Jones series of movies.  And Bamburgh Castle features in the opening scenes, doubling as a 1944 Nazi Germany location.  The controlled fires in the castle caused such local concern that the Northumberland Fire Brigade had to reassure people that it was all under control!

• Visit Bamburgh Castle

Must-Visit Filming Locations in Northumberland

There are many reasons for visiting England’s most northerly county.  And if you’re looking for the sites of movie filming locations, then these are the must visit locations in Northumberland.

• Hadrian’s Wall
• Sycamore Gap
• Berwick upon Tweed
• The Royal Border Bridge
• Alnwick Castle
• Bamburgh Castle
• Bamburgh Beach

Final Words on Top Film Locations in Northumberland

The stunning landscapes of Northumberland are always (for me) the star, and movie directors and producers the world around have made them famous too.  Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan, or like the sci-fi world of the Transformers.  Then there are film locations in Northumberland for you to explore.  Head north, check out the castles, priories, landscapes and beaches of England’s most northerly county and then watch it all on the big screen too!

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