England’s making a series of star turns in cinema at the moment. The traditional pub, stately homes and London’s skyline are all set to steal the limelight throughout 2013.
(The featured image of Dame Maggie Smith and Pauline Collins at Hedsor House is courtesy of Hedsor House/Quartet)
Great Expectations (released November 30 2012)
2012 marks 200 years since Charles Dickens’ birth. The forthcoming lavish adaptation of Great Expectations sees some of the UK’s most beloved actors (Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane, David Walliams, Jason Flemyng and Helena Bonham Carter) grace some of England’s finest spots.
The vast and imposing Englefield House in Berkshire, whose gardens are open to the public between April-October, plays Miss Havisham’s Satis House. Chatham Historical Dockyard in Kent, open to the public from March-December, is the fictional Liverpool Docks, where Herbert’s business is located.
Wrotham Park, a grade II-listed Palladian mansion in Barnet, is used to film Estella dancing in the pivotal ballroom scene. The emotionally charged scene that follows, between Pip and Estella, is filmed on the balcony and by the cedar tree in front of the estate.
The World’s End (release date: August 14 2013)
Welwyn Garden City is the scene of two childhood friends’ epic pub-crawl (played by Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman). Naturally coming from the makers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright directs), Pegg’s and Frost’s aim to reach their last pub is soon eclipsed by a far more pressing mission.
Alan Partridge: The Movie (release date: August 16 2013)
Norwich’s hapless DJ and TV presenter (there’s a clip of Places of My Life above) is set to make a return, but this time on the big screen. The storyline is a closely guarded secret, so we’ll have to wait and see whether any of his TV show ideas have been commissioned (Monkey Tennis, perhaps?) and whether his house is finally ready, but one thing we do know is that Norwich will have its usual starring role.
Jack and the Giant Slayer (release date: March 22 2013)
This filmic adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk starring Ewan Macgregor, Bill Nighy and Nicholas Hoult was largely set in the Surrey countryside. Norwich Cathedral also features as the backdrop to one farmer’s quest to rescue a princess from the giants’ kingdom.
About Time (release date: March 22 2013)
The action in Richard Curtis’ rom-com, sci-fi mash-up takes place is set in spots like Cornwall and the West End (though you might not recognise them, as the story passes through the ages). Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy and Tom Hollander all star.
Quartet (release date: January 1 2013)
Buckinghamshire’s Hedsor House & Park doubles as a retirement home for opera singers in this BBC-produced comedy-drama that stars Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins.
Spike Island (release date: Spring 2013)
Mat Whitecross’s Spike Island is a fun look at a young band trying to make their way to the infamous Stone Roses gig at Spike Island in Widnes. The film was shot on location in and around Bolton, Widnes, Salford, Manchester and Stockport – and sharp-eyed viewers may spot Salford University and Bolton Market.
Postman Pat: The Movie – You Know You’re The One (release date: May 24 2013)
The beautiful Longsleddale in Cumbria was the inspiration for Pat’s fictional home of Greendale. This feature length film is voiced by Kate Winslet, David Tennant, Rupert Grint and Jim Broadbent.
Related blog: Explore the reel Ireland
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
