Latest News - Brit Movie Tours Tours cameras and action Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:04:18 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 The Kray Twins – London Gangsters Feared By All https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/the-kray-twins-london-gangsters-feared-by-all/ Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:19:26 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=22052 Ronnie and Reggie Kray, born on October 23rd, 1933 in Hoxton, East London, rose to infamy as the most notorious gangsters in London during the 1950s and 1960s. Their criminal empire included involvement in protection rackets, armed robberies, arson, assaults, and two high-profile murders witnessed by others. Despite their criminal activities, they also managed a...

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Ronnie and Reggie Kray, born on October 23rd, 1933 in Hoxton, East London, rose to infamy as the most notorious gangsters in London during the 1950s and 1960s. Their criminal empire included involvement in protection rackets, armed robberies, arson, assaults, and two high-profile murders witnessed by others. Despite their criminal activities, they also managed a successful West End nightclub where they entertained celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, George Raft, Barbara Windsor, and Diana Dors.

The twins, of Irish and Romany Gypsy descent, moved from Hoxton to Vallance Road in Bethnal Green at a young age. Encouraged by their grandfather Jimmy Lee, a former boxer, they took up the sport themselves, achieving some success in amateur boxing. Their boxing careers, however, were cut short due to their criminal records and escalating involvement in illegal activities.

In 1952, both brothers were conscripted into national service with the Royal Fusiliers. Their military careers were short-lived, marked by insubordination and violence. They attempted to desert their duties shortly after enlisting, resulting in a serious altercation with a corporal. Subsequently, they were confined in the Tower of London, one of the last prisoners held there, before being transferred to a military prison in Somerset. They were court-martialed, found guilty, and sentenced to jail in Canterbury. The incident led to their dishonorable discharge from the army, further cementing their paths into full-time criminal endeavors.

Following their release, the Krays ventured into organized crime, purchasing an old snooker club in Mile End. From there, they operated various criminal enterprises, including protection rackets and involvement in armed robberies orchestrated with a Liverpool gangster. Their criminal profits enabled them to acquire additional clubs and properties throughout London.

In 1960, Ronnie Kray was incarcerated for running a protection racket, during which time Reggie expanded their influence by acquiring Esmeralda’s Barn, a nightclub in Knightsbridge, from notorious landlord Peter Rachman.

The Krays gained further notoriety in 1964 when the Sunday Mirror published an article suggesting Ronnie Kray’s involvement in a homosexual relationship with Conservative peer Lord Boothby, at a time when homosexuality was illegal. The Krays forcefully intervened, threatening the journalists involved and coercing the newspaper into retracting the article, paying Lord Boothby £40,000 in damages, and sacking its editor.

Despite their criminal activities being well-known to law enforcement, witnesses were often too fearful to testify against the Krays due to their reputation for extreme violence and intimidation tactics. This shielded them from significant legal repercussions for years.

In March 1966, tensions between the Krays and rival gangs reached a deadly peak when Richard Hart, an associate of the Krays, was killed in a shooting involving the Richardson gang at a nightclub in Catford. The following day, Ronnie Kray fatally shot George Cornell, a member of the Richardson gang, at the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel. The brazen nature of the murder, committed in broad daylight and in close proximity to the Kray brothers’ residence, intensified public and police scrutiny.

Later that year, the Krays orchestrated the escape of Frank Mitchell, a criminal associate from Dartmoor prison. Mitchell’s erratic behavior posed challenges for the Krays, who eventually faced charges for his murder after he disappeared. The brothers stood trial but were ultimately acquitted due to lack of conclusive evidence.

In October 1967, Ronnie reportedly ordered Reggie to eliminate Jack “The Hat” McVitie, another Kray gang member who had failed to fulfill a contract killing. McVitie was lured to a flat in Stoke Newington under the pretense of a party, where Reggie attempted to shoot him but the gun failed to fire. A violent altercation ensued, resulting in McVitie’s brutal murder by Reggie with a large carving knife.

The McVitie murder marked a turning point in public opinion against the Krays, prompting witnesses to come forward with crucial testimony to Scotland Yard. In May 1968, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, along with 15 associates known as their “Firm,” were arrested and charged with a range of offenses including murder, conspiracy, and extortion.

In March 1969, the Kray twins were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr. Justice Melford Stevenson, presiding over the trial, famously remarked, “In my view, society has earned a rest from your activities.”

The legacy of the Krays continues to fascinate, with numerous films, books, and tours dedicated to their lives and criminal exploits. The Krays Tour offers enthusiasts the opportunity to explore significant locations associated with the brothers, including filming sites from movies like The Krays, Face, The Crying Game, and Gangster No 1. Visitors can delve into the methods used by these notorious gangsters and engage in a Q&A session with Stephen, who portrayed Nick the Greek in Guy Ritchie’s Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

For more inside information why not join us on our Krays Tour.  Learn about some of the methods used by some of the most feared gangsters in 1950s and 1960s London. Visit the location where Vinnie Jones had his first day of filming for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and other film locations including some from The Krays, Face, The Crying Game and Gangster No 1.  At the end of the tour you can enjoy a Q&A session with Stephen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Famous Films Shot in Greenwich London https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/famous-films-shot-in-greenwich-london/ Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:40:13 +0000 http://britmovietours.com/?p=23784 Given all the exotic locations in the world you probably wouldn’t expect Greenwich – more accurately the Old Royal Naval College – to be one of the most popular filming sites for American and British filmmakers. Yet, one quick look at some of the huge blockbusters that have been shot there over the years will...

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Given all the exotic locations in the world you probably wouldn’t expect Greenwich – more accurately the Old Royal Naval College – to be one of the most popular filming sites for American and British filmmakers. Yet, one quick look at some of the huge blockbusters that have been shot there over the years will show just how key the location has become to the stories being told. Here are a list of some of the movies filmed in Greenwich – you’ll probably recognise one or two!

Baby Reindeer

Baby Reindeer, the hit Netflix show features a plethora of London film locations. These include Greenwich Magistrate’s Court, the famous Comedy Store in Leicester Square, as well as pub and comedy club locations in Hoxton, Stoke Newington and Vauxhall.

Thor: The Dark World

The Marvel Universe is the largest ever film franchise in movie history, so it makes sense they would need an imposing location to match. The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich featured during the climactic battle, where a giant spaceship was seen crashing into the ground. There’s even a moment where Thor pops onto the tube after asking how to get to Greenwich.

28 Weeks Later

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s thrilling sequel to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later saw the country and the world under siege from the living dead. A chase seen occurs midway through the film as a crowd of people are quickly infected with the zombie disease and the main characters go on the run while the army fire at will. They manage to escape through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.

The Dark Knight Rises

The final film in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich was once again put to use. On two occasions we see Michael Caine’s Alfred at a café supposedly in Florence, which in fact was the famous college grounds. This is shown early in the film at right at the end.

Skyfall

The Old Royal College has been used a number of times in Bond films over the years. More recently it made another appearance in Skyfall. Bond is presumed dead after being accidently shot by a colleague in the middle of fight on top of a train. A little while later we see Judy Dench’s M overlooking a row of coffins draped in the union flag at Bond’s funeral. This was shot at the King William Undercroft on the college grounds.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

The sequel to the hugely successful first film also sees it return to the Old Royal College grounds to capture more of Victorian London. It appears a couple of times in the film: first for scene involving a busy street market, and then the following fight scene on the walkway close to Queen’s House.

Indiscreet

Aside from all the modern day blockbusters that have called Greenwich home, it has remained a popular haunt for Hollywood going back to its golden years. The 1958 romantic comedy, Indiscreet, starred Gary Grant and Ingrid Bergman and once again relied on the famous Old Royal Naval College for some of its scenes.

Les Misérables

The world famous and long-running theatre musical transferred to the big screen once again in 2012.  As you’d expect, it was the Old Royal Naval College that was used as a prime location. Shooting took place just before the London Olympic and Paralympic Games were due to start later that summer.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Captain Jack Sparrow has sailed around the world to all kinds of exotic locations and he found himself on the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College for the fourth instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The entire central avenue was transformed into an 18th century street for Jack to make another one of his chaotic escapes to safety.

The King’s Speech

Not every building can claim to be part of film that has been nominated for the Oscars, but the Old Royal College can thanks to its appearance in The King’s Speech. It doubled as Buckingham Palace because, as you’d expect, shooting the film on the actual grounds of the Queen’s residence would’ve been quite tricky.

Bridgerton

London locations used in the shooting of Bridgerton include Ranger’s House in Greenwich, Lancaster House, Hackney Empire, Greenwich Park Rose Garden, and the Queen’s House in Greenwich.

Napoleon

The colonnades of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich were transformed into the revolutionary streets of Paris, and the Painted Hall was turned into a scene of military confrontation in Napoleon. Interestingly Napoleon’s nemesis, Admiral Lord Nelson, visited the Royal Hospital Greenwich (as it was called then) many times over the years.  Notably, his body was brought here after the Battle of Trafalgar for a ceremonial lying-in-state.  Over the course of three days in January 1806, up to 100,000 people descended upon Greenwich to pay their respects

The Crown

Season four of The Crown was filmed inside the Tulip Stairs of the Queen’s House, along with numerous other Greenwich landmarks. You can catch a glimpse of the Queen’s House iconic spiral staircase in the trailer above, as Princess Diana runs through an eerily deserted palace.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Within the Old Royal Naval College complex there is the Painted Hall.  Known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel,’ it features mural paintings by Sir James Thornhill. In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, this spectacular setting was used for the council of the Illuminati. Disney lovers may also recognize the Painted Hall from Cinderella, the live-action adaptation of Walt Disney’s animated film, where it was used as one of the palace rooms where Prince Kit and his men practice their fencing skills.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Located within the Old Royal Naval College site is the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul. With a history stretching back to the Tudor period, this intimate chapel was used as the fictional St Mary of the Fields, Cripplegate, for the second wedding in the romantic comedy.  In this scene, the nervous Father Gerald fumbles through the wedding service of Bernard and Lydia. Be sure to look up at the Chapel’s ceiling, which features a neoclassical design of squares and octagons created by 18th-century plasterer John Papworth.

Cinderella

In the Disney live-action remake of Cinderella, Greenwich’s Painted Hall was transformed into a room within Prince Charming’s palace, where he and his men honed their fencing skills.

Sense and Sensibility

The 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility featured Greenwich Park, where stars such as Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and the late Alan Rickman were welcomed.

The Madness of King George

The filming locations for the production included Eton College, Bodleian Library, Arundel Castle, Syon Park, Royal Naval College Greenwich, Wilton House, Broughton Castle, Thame Park, and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Complete List of Films & TV shows shot on location at the Old Royal Naval College

The list above are only some of the more famous movies filmed in Greenwich.  For a full list of films shot on locations at the Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, click here to open a pdf.

When you’ve finished exploring, why not see more of Greenwich? Whether you want to step aboard the historic sailing ship Cutty Sark, visit the home of Greenwich Mean Time at the Royal Observatory, or uncover stories of exploration at the National Maritime Museum, there’s plenty to discover.

If you want to discover how a World Heritage Site has become a top film location why not join us on our 2 hour Greenwich tour.  The tour showcases scenes from over 30 blockbuster movies and countless TV and Film productions.  Our expert guide will show you how this attractive location has been transformed to appear in so many films and TV shows.

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Visiting Emmerdale https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/visiting-emmerdale/ Tue, 27 Sep 2022 11:10:00 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=29736 Emmerdale is arguably one of the best-loved UK TV shows, and now it’s on 5 nights a week people can enjoy it more than ever. Although Emmerdale might be a fictional village the characters that we watch on our screen every night are really relatable and it is this that has helped it become more...

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Emmerdale is arguably one of the best-loved UK TV shows, and now it’s on 5 nights a week people can enjoy it more than ever. Although Emmerdale might be a fictional village the characters that we watch on our screen every night are really relatable and it is this that has helped it become more of the most watched things on TV. What many people don’t realise when they watch the show is that it isn’t a real village and instead is filmed on a purpose-built set in Leeds called the Harewood Estate. Don’t be disheartened though, just because it isn’t a real village as such doesn’t mean you can’t visit – in fact, visiting Emmerdale is very much possible and there is loads to see when you’re there!

Touring Emmerdale Village

Keen Emmerdale fans will know that there are a number of well-loved places within the village and if you do visit Emmerdale via a guided tour you’ll be able to see the exteriors of them all and the interior of many too! Depending on what you want to see and do while you’re there, the tour can take around 4 hours so it really does make for a splendid day out! It is worth noting that lots of the interior scenes are filed elsewhere (that’s the life of TV for you!) so you won’t get to see everywhere if you do an exterior walking tour.
One thing you can be sure of if you head out on an Emmerdale tour is that you’ll find plenty of things to see – for example, you could see Butlers Farm or head past The Wool Pack, where some of Emmerdale’s biggest storylines have taken place!

Classic Emmerdale

In the past Emmerdale has been filed over various locations, before it picked up in popularity and was moved to the purpose-built TV set that it is still filmed at today. However, you can go on a bus tour to see some of the classic locations including a drive through the market towns of Otley and Esholt, which will certainly look familiar to fans of the TV show.
As you might imagine, filming days are busy for everyone involved in the production which means that tours of Emmerdale tend to take place on days when filming is not taking place. However, if you’re a fan of the stars then you can book a tour on days with meet and greets with the stars – so you can meet your favourite characters at the same time.

Did You Know?

Did you know that when filming Emmerdale, unlike lots of other TV productions they actually use pints of real beer – although actors are discouraged from drinking too much! However, it isn’t just the actors that you have to worry about, there have been plenty of guest performances from well-known names too – did you know that Spice Girl Mel B once appeared in the soap?

Visiting Your Favourite TV Shows

If Emmerdale isn’t your thing, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a tour of your favourite TV sets, because there are actually loads of options. For example, if you’re in or around Bath at any stage then you can head out on a Bridgerton Tour or if soaps are more your thing then Coronation Street tours are perfectly possible.
Don’t worry if you’re into more Hollywood blockbusters than you are TV shows because there are plenty of places to visit that tick these boxes too. For example, head to London and go on a Harry Potter tour or head to Ireland and go on a Game of Thrones studio tour. Whatever you’re into and whatever TV you like to watch, you should be able to find a tour that suits you and keeps you entertained for a good few hours.

Booking a TV Tour

With so many TV & film tours on offer, it can be hard to know what is best when it comes to booking the right tour for you. The first thing to do is think about what you would like to see – which productions do you find most fascinating? Once you have done this you can start to research what tours are on offer (we have loads) and seeing which you think will be the most fun! For example, you could head on a Mary Poppins tour in London or go on an unofficial walking tour of the city and see loads of Doctor Who filming locations. Everything that you have watched on the big screen has been filmed and made somewhere, so the chances are that if there is a location that you really want to see, there will be a way to make that happen – you just need to look up what is available and get yourself booked in for some serious TV fun.

Emmerdale Set Tour

Join the old Emmerdale village tour with other fans of the soap on our comprehensive tour.  This tour is perfect for the older generation of fans. This tour focuses on Emmerdale when it was first on TV from 1972-1997.

Click here for more details and to book the Emmerdale set tour.

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Film Locations London https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/film-locations-london/ Wed, 14 Sep 2022 11:19:35 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=28809 If you’re looking for a film location company that specialises in film locations in London and the UK, you have come to the right place. Brit Movie Tours are experts on UK film locations and have been creating movie location experiences since 2009. Visiting movie locations is a popular activity for tourists to do when...

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If you’re looking for a film location company that specialises in film locations in London and the UK, you have come to the right place. Brit Movie Tours are experts on UK film locations and have been creating movie location experiences since 2009.

Visiting movie locations is a popular activity for tourists to do when visiting a city.  People love to grab selfies and recreate scenes from their favourite movie locations. When the location is an already famous historical location, it makes the experience and the visit that much more special.

Tourists and holidaymakers are now more cultured than ever and have far more choices for things to do and activities when looking at traveling abroad. More and more people are wanting to learn and experience the locations seen in the movies and design their vacations around events and locations.

What is filming in London right now?

A lot of people ask what is filming in London right now. London is a magnet for film production so there will be a film set in London somewhere. Finding it is the tricky part. Film companies try to keep locations as hush-hush as possible, but make get leaked. With social media, it’s not long before someone lets the cat out of the bag. To find filming locations in London today you will have to do some googling and fishing.

Movies filmed in London

There are several movies filmed in London with locations you can visit on a trip to London. Some of the most famous film locations can be found on one of our organised tours. Of course, you can create your own tour. Below are some of the most popular and famous films filmed in London.

Harry Potter
Love Actually
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Notting Hill
Shaun of the Dead
Bridget Jones’s Diary
James Bond
A Fish Called Wanda
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Paddington
The Bourne Ultimatum
Snatch
An American Werewolf in London
Sliding Doors
The Parent Trap
Bend it like Beckham
About a Boy
An Education

Films Set in London from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s

The Elephant Man
A Clockwork Orange
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin
Death Line
The Long Good Friday
A Hard Day’s Night
Peeping Tom
Victim
The Day the Earth Caught Fire

TV Shows filmed in London

Some of the best TV shows were filmed in and around the capital.  Below are some of the most popular TV shows filmed in London:

Only Fools and Horses – Filmed in Peckham in the 1980s.
EastEnders –  Filmed in Walford and the Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
Upstairs, Downstairs – The house used for the exterior shots of 165 Eaton Place is still a real house near Belgravia. 65 Eaton Place
Yes Minister – Whitehall
Jeeves and Wooster – Mayfair
House of Cards – Westminster
Sherlock – Baker Street
Killing Eve – part London

Famous film locations in London

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is one of the most famous and popular films filmed in the City.  Portobello Road is one of the top locations to visit in Notting Hill. We wrote an article on all the filming locations in London Notting Hill here.  If you want to take a tour of the best North London filming locations, take a look at our Notting Hill tour below:

Notting Hill Film Locations

 

Harry Potter – King’s Cross Station

Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station is a very popular destination for Harry Potter fans.  There are many more London filming locations for the Harry Potter films.  We wrote a comprehensive article on Harry Potter locations which you can read here.

Platform 9/34 location - Harry Potter Tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those wanting a guided Harry Potter walk in London which visits more than 10 locations see below:

Wizards London Walk – Guided Tour of Harry Potter London locations

Paddington Station

Iconic Paddington Station is another top London filming location.  The bear was named after the London train station.  Many folk head to this train station in London to see the Paddington statue inside.   Here at BMT, we offer the only official Paddington Bear tour:

Paddington Walking Tour

 

Bridget Jones’ Diary – Borough Market

Fans of Bridget Jones ‘ Diary head Borough Market. Bridget Jones’ home was situated above The Globe Tavern in Bedale Street.

James Bond – MI6

One of the more striking buildings in London is the MI6 Building in Vauxhall.  The building was blown up in Skyfall which of course was all CGI.  You can view the building which was featured as the headquarters in the James Bond films.

Four Weddings and a Funeral – South Bank

London’s South Bank has been the back drop to a number of award winning films.  Visions of Hugh Grant running along South Bank in Four Weddings and a Funeral mainly come to mind

Killing Eve film Locations in London

Killing Eve is a British spy thriller TV series and was produced in the UK. Many people ask where was Killing Eve filmed.  The series was filmed in several locations including Tuscany, Paris, Berlin, Bucharest, Cheshunt, Turville, and London.  The West London Film Studios was also used.  The building used as Eve’s base is in Warwick House Street, just off Trafalgar Square in London.  A roadside cafe off the A2 near Gravesend in Kent was used as Nell’s Café.   Filming locations included Viscri, Romania, and Barcelona, Spain.

You can view more than 10 locations from the show on our very own Killing Eve tour below:

Killing Eve Tour of London – Self Guided Audio Walk

 

Brit Movie Tours is the premier provider of Film and TV location sightseeing tours in London and the UK.  The film location company’s primary focus is customer care. To see all the tours we have available click here.

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Bloggers Wanted for Honest Reviews https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/bloggers-wanted-for-honest-reviews/ Wed, 07 Sep 2022 13:55:06 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=21571 Brit Movie Tours is looking to collaborate with bloggers! We offer tours that educate and entertain visitors of all ages, nationalities, and interests, bringing your favorite movies and TV shows to life. To spread the word, we are offering free London tours in exchange for a blog review. Online reviews are crucial for our reputation,...

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Brit Movie Tours is looking to collaborate with bloggers! We offer tours that educate and entertain visitors of all ages, nationalities, and interests, bringing your favorite movies and TV shows to life. To spread the word, we are offering free London tours in exchange for a blog review.

Online reviews are crucial for our reputation, and we take great pride in our Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor. You can read our reviews [here]. A quick glance at some of our reviews will show you how highly people rate our tour guides. Recent comments include Phil’s praise: “I was given a James Bond walking tour as a gift but wouldn’t have regretted paying for it myself! I was extremely impressed with our guide – Phil…” Another enthusiastic review came from Nikki in London, who declared, “one of the most fun days I’ve had.”

We view any negative feedback as a chance to improve our services. With over 90% of online shoppers checking reviews before making a purchase, we strive to be the best in our industry. Attracting positive reviews is essential for our growth, and we aim to reach more people globally.

Free Tours for Honest Reviews

If you’re a blogger seeking collaboration opportunities, get in touch! We welcome bloggers from around the world, especially those passionate about films. Whether you’re a fan of Dr Who, James Bond, Harry Potter, Made in Chelsea, or TOWIE, you’d be a perfect fit. We’d love for you to visit these iconic locations and share your experience with your readers.

We are looking for established blogs with a good following. Travel bloggers or those who write about days out and experiences are also welcome.

Interested in a free tour in exchange for a review? Email us at marketing (at) britmovietours (dot) com with your name, email, blog address, and a bit about yourself, your blog, and your readers. Please use “BLOG REVIEW” in the subject line.

 

 

 

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Where was All Creatures Great and Small Filmed? https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/where-was-all-creatures-great-and-small-filmed/ Fri, 01 Jul 2022 12:26:20 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=29364 All Creatures Great and Small is a BBC television series which aired between 1978 to 1990. It was based on books of the British veterinary surgeon Alf Wight under the pen name of James Herriot. There were 90 episodes and a remake premiered in 2021. The remake was made by Channel 5 and coincided with...

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All Creatures Great and Small is a BBC television series which aired between 1978 to 1990. It was based on books of the British veterinary surgeon Alf Wight under the pen name of James Herriot. There were 90 episodes and a remake premiered in 2021. The remake was made by Channel 5 and coincided with the 50th anniversary of the publication of Alf Wight books.

The TV series was known for its beautiful scenery around the Yorkshire Dales. The 2021 remake got mixed reviews, but overall was a success. Like many remakes, people were worried it wouldn’t live up to the original. Some people thought it was even better than the original.

Both series of All Creatures Great and Small were filmed across a range of beautiful locations in Yorkshire.  Yorkshire Countryside is famed for its beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park attracts over 4 millions visitors every year.

The original 1970s series used Askrigg in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park as its filming location for fictional village Darrowby.

The Channel 5 remake used the historic market town Grassington in the southern Dales for the filming location of Darrowby.  Here you the exterior of the local pub Drovers Arms can be found here. The interior of pub however, is filmed in the Green Dragon Inn, a 13th century pub in the Yorkshire village of Hardraw.

Grassington is also the location for the cycle shop, Handleys Booksellers, G F Endleby Groceries, Darrowby Hardwares, Skeldale House and J. A. Dean, Drapers and Hosiery.

Where is Skeldale House?

Original Series:

For the first series in the 1970’s they use Cringley House in Askrigg, near Leyburn as the location for the Skeldale House veterinary practice. In 2013 Keith and Lisa Wright bought the Grade II-listed building and officially renamed it Skeldale House:

Channel 5 remake:

Skeldale House in the remake can be found facing the main square in Grassington, Skipton:

The rear of Skeldale was filmed in a village not too far away called Arncliffe.

The World of James Herriot

Many people wonder if Skeldale House a real place. In reality Alf Wight ran his veterinary practice from 23 Kirkgate in the village of Thirsk.  His books reimagined it as “Skeldale House” in the village of “Darrowby”.  That original building is now home to a museum, The World of James Herriot.

James Alfred Wight (James Herriot)was born in Sunderland and graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939. After graduation he moved back to England to become a veterinary surgeon in Yorkshire. He was a vet almost 50 years. If Only They Could Talk was his first published book in 1970.  Over the decades, the series of books sold some 60 million copies. He received an OBE in 1979 in honour of his achievements.

All Creatures Great and Small Tour

Here are Brit Movie Tours we have put together a great All Creatures Great and Small tour for 2023 and beyond.  You can join other fans and visit over 15 filming locations from both the original BBC series from the 1970s and the current Channel 5 remake.  The tour takes a maximum of 16 people by mini coach on a beautiful picturesque tour of filming locations across the Yorkshire Dales.  The tour stops for lunch at The Drovers Arms which was featured in many of the episodes of the new series. To learn more about the tour and book, click here.

 

 

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Where is People Just Do Nothing – Kurupt FM Filmed? https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/where-is-people-just-do-nothing-kurupt-fm-filmed/ Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:55:56 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=28530 If you’re a fan of Kurupt FM and watched all the TV series and movie then head over to Brentford in West London for this self-guided video tour of more than 20 filming locations from the classic TV series. Enjoy our virtual walk around Brentford streets in West London spotting filming locations from the award...

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If you’re a fan of Kurupt FM and watched all the TV series and movie then head over to Brentford in West London for this self-guided video tour of more than 20 filming locations from the classic TV series.

Enjoy our virtual walk around Brentford streets in West London spotting filming locations from the award winning show. Brentford is home to the world-famous garage and drum & bass radio station – Kurupt 108.9FM

 

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9 Places To Visit During a Harry Potter Walk https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/9-places-to-visit-during-a-harry-potter-walk/ Wed, 15 Sep 2021 10:52:35 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=28398 If you are considering our Harry Potter Walk in London tour, read on to learn about some of the magical locations.  You will get to see the London streets with a new angle with all detailed information and amazing scenes. You can visit the prominent locations by which Harry Potter films and books were written...

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If you are considering our Harry Potter Walk in London tour, read on to learn about some of the magical locations.  You will get to see the London streets with a new angle with all detailed information and amazing scenes. You can visit the prominent locations by which Harry Potter films and books were written due to the inspiration of these locations.

Explore the facts and get amazing knowledge about Harry Potter and enjoy the tour guide to get inspired by the ideas to visit that place. But the question is what you can see on a Harry Potter walk?

Best Things To See On A Harry Potter Walk

Many locations have been shown in the Movie but we will help you to visit the most beautiful and iconic ones to complete the tour excitement.

Harry Potter Film Locations - Millennium Bridge

 

The Millennium Bridge was used in place of the Brockdale Bridge in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In the long list of locations, Millennium Bridge is a deadly place for daydreamers. But in real life, the bridge is still so strong and quiet handling people visiting here. The best view you can get is from the right of the bridge from where Paul’s Cathedral can be seen with enlightened mesmerizing scenes.  It’s said that when the inauguration ceremony was held, the bridge was closed due to a huge influx of people. This could be the number one location to explore the Harry Potter walk.

 

Leadenhall Market

 

Leadenhall Market’s beautifully covered pathways where used to film the Diagon Alley scenes in the first Harry Potter Film.  If you remember, Hagrid and Harry walk through the market and then enter the Leaky Cauldron Pub through a blue door.  Leadenhall Market is in Central London, on the edge of the financial district..  Leadenhall Market is one of the beautiful places in London where there are many things to enjoy and get the demandable scenes. In the 19th century, the market was built for wool, meat, and leather sales but the experts of today have converted it to the modern market. The location is also included in the Harry Potter film.

Platform 9 ¾ – King’s Cross Station

Platform 9/34 location - Harry Potter Tour

One of the most iconic locations is platform 9 ¾. Located in King’s Cross St Pancras station, today there is a luggage trolley stuck halfway between the wall on the platform. This is the best spot to get a great photo of yourself as you imagine heading off to the magical wizarding world yourself! The filming took place on platforms 4 and 5 in reality.

St. Pancras Station

 

St Pancras International rail-station is used as the backdrop when Harry arrives at so called ‘Kings Cross’ to catch the Hogwarts train. Also this location was where the magical Ford Anglia takes to the skies in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. St. Pancras is close to Kings Cross so worth the short walk.

Entrance to the Ministry of Magic

Great-Scotland-Yard

Great Scotland Yard is a street in Westminster and was used as the entrance to the Ministry of Magic.  The location appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and also in Deathly Hallows Part 1.  The telephone box which was used for transportation for CGI, so you won’t find the telephone box at this location.

Grimmauld Place

Grimmauld Place

The the exterior of the building is located on Claremont Square in the London Borough of Islington.  12 Grimmauld Place was the home of the Black Family and the Order of the Phoenix HQ.  The internal shots where filmed in the studio.  The nearest tube station is Angel. This location is featured in both Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Gringotts Wizarding Bank

 

You can see the external building used for the scene when Harry and Hagrid go to Gringotts in the first movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.  Sadly the building is not open to the public but you can see the entrance and just about get a sneak peek inside.

 

 

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus was used as the filming location in the film when Ron, Hermione, and Harry narrowly avoided being hit by a London bus. Iconic and world famous, Piccadilly Circus is a hugely busy location but definitely a must on any tour of Harry Potter in London.  Piccadilly Circus is actually a road junction and public space of London’s West End in the City of Westminster. It was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. This area now connects Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, the Haymarket, Coventry Street (onwards to Leicester Square) and Glasshouse Street.  The location is close to all the major shopping outlets and entertainment in the West End of London. Famed for looking similar to New York City’s Times Square, due to its video display and neon signs mounted on the corner building on the northern side.  Surrounded by several notable buildings, including the London Pavilion and Criterion Theatre. You can discover the history of Piccadilly Circus here.

Reptile House, London Zoo

The scene where all the audience knew that Harry can speak Parseltongue was filmed in Reptile House In London Zoo. The snake was in the scene. If you want to visit the nature exploring location which was shown in Harry Potter, you can go through and spend a few hours in this Reptile House where you can see nature created things.

Lambeth Bridge

 

A great scene in Prisoner of Azkaban is when Harry’s riding through London on the Knight Bus.  The vehicle magically flattens to fit through two double decker buses.  The scene was filmed on Lambeth Bridge. The bridge is pretty impressive and worth a visit.  The bridge has a footpath so you can walk the exact same route that the Knight Bus went. It’s a great location for views of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

Warner Bros’ Harry Potter Studio

After ending the shooting of the film, Harry Potter, many relevant stakeholders were out of sight. But some people, realizing the importance of a studio, converted it to a tourist destination.  So today you can visit the Warner Bros’ studio  to see many of the film props and settings.

Fans of Harry Potter  can visit these film shooting locations on tour with us.  Along the way you will also see many of London landmarks and attractions across the capital. Iconic sites including St Paul’s Cathedral the Tate Modern and much more. Book today for a great day out in London:

Wizards London: Harry Potter Locations Walking Tour

 

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Emmerdale’s hardest-hitting storylines ever https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/emmerdales-hardest-hitting-storylines-ever/ Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:28:59 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=27936 Emmerdale has aired a host of hard-hitting storylines since it was first launched back in 1972. The ITV soap’s most notorious moments include plane crashes, fatal fires, murders, sexual assaults and suicides.  Here’s a run through some of the soap’s bleakest and most talked-about storylines ever. The 1993 plane crash The plane crash of 1993...

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Emmerdale has aired a host of hard-hitting storylines since it was first launched back in 1972. The ITV soap’s most notorious moments include plane crashes, fatal fires, murders, sexual assaults and suicides.  Here’s a run through some of the soap’s bleakest and most talked-about storylines ever.

The 1993 plane crash

Emmerdale plane crash

The plane crash of 1993 still regularly tops lists of Emmerdale’s most shocking moments. It was one of two plane crash story lines that have been featured in the soap, with the second occurring in 2015. The first plane crash was particularly controversial due to being shown close to the 5th anniversary of the Lockerbie tragedy of 1988. The second also generated complaints due to similarities to the Clutha Vaults crash.

The 1993 crash saw four regular characters meet their end, including Archie Brooks and Elizabeth Pollard. The incident left Chris Tate in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The village in the soap, which was originally called Emmerdale Farm until 1989, was renamed from Beckindale to Emmerdale as a tribute. Several off-screen characters also lost their lives in the crash. The story was even mentioned in another soap, Brookside, with characters reading about the crash in the Liverpool Echo.

Pierce rapes Rhona

Rhona Goskirk

Pierce spent several months controlling his then-partner Rhona Goskirk before raping her brutally in 2017. Although the scenes generated a large number of complaints, a spokesperson for the soap said it had a “history of raising awareness of difficult subjects”. Pierce was sentenced to five years in prison for the assault but later returned to the village, kidnapping Vanessa Woodfield and murdering Graham Foster.

Jackson’s assisted suicide

Jackson Walsh was left tetraplegic after a car accident. He was then helped to end his life by his partner Aaron Livesey, who gave him a fatal cocktail of drugs. This storyline also attracted criticism from groups including spinal cord injury support organisation Aspire, who accused the soap of “sensational misrepresentation”. However, the team behind Emmerdale said the storyline was created to “drive constructive debate over this sensitive subject”. They claimed that “99%” of responding viewers were “overwhelmingly positive” about the story.

Val’s HIV

Val Pollard was diagnosed with HIV following a holiday romance. Unfortunately, the actress who played Val, Charlie Hardwick, was attacked by online trolls after the scenes aired. She said she hoped the story would encourage viewers to take their sexual health more seriously. Val first appeared in Emmerdale in 2004 and passed away in 2015 after a helicopter crash. She later appeared as a ghost in 2017.

Ashley’s dementia

Ashley Thomas

Ashley Thomas first appeared in Emmerdale in 1996 and spent almost 21 years on the soap. He was diagnosed with early-onset dementia towards the end of his stint, with heartbreaking scenes showing him fail to recognise his wife Laurel. The storyline was praised by campaigners including The Alzheimer’s Society, who described its impact as “tremendous” and complimented it for defying myths around the topic of dementia.

The 1994 siege

Scott Windsor’s biological father Reg Dawson arrived in Emmerdale in 1994. Although claiming he wanted to fix his relationship with his son, it soon transpired that he’d organised a siege. Reg’sgang kidnapped Viv Windsor and Shirley Turner, taking them to Home Farm. Shirley jumped in front of Viv as Reg was preparing to shoot him, though her bravery proved fatal.

The death of the Skilbeck twins

After Peggy Skilbeck died of a brain haemorrhage, her widowed husband Matt was left to bring their twins Sam and Sally up alone. As Matt found this too challenging, the twins went to live with his aunt, Beattie. Sadly, her car stalled at a level crossing before being hit by a train, with Beattie and the twins losing their lives.

The barn fire

Several months after the 2000 bus crash, Andy Sugden set a barn ablaze so his adoptive father Jack could claim on his insurance. However, Jack’s wife Sarah was in the barn with her extramarital partner Richie at the time. Andy’s guilt was not exposed until seven years later. The 35th anniversary episode of the soap saw Andy’s sister Victoria catching up with Richie to learn more about the fateful event. She then set fire to a cottage to force a confession from Andy, who was then sent to prison for manslaughter.

Tom’s murder

Tom King - emmerdale murder

Millionaire Tom King was murdered on Christmas Day 2006. There were ten different suspects, and ten different outcomes were filmed. Even key cast and crew members didn’t know the identity of the killer. Emmerdale eve launched a website to help viewers ‘solve’ the crime. This featured blogs, emails, voicemails and more. Tom was killed shortly after marrying Rosemary Sinclair. He died after being struck around the head with a horse head statue, then pushed out of a window. Suspects included several members of his own family including his wife, Bob Hope, Terry Woods and Chastity Dingle. Viewers learned Carl had killed his own father several months after the scenes. At one point, all three brothers were charged with the murder, though the trail collapsed. He was murdered by Cameron Murray in 2012.

More about Emmerdale

Emmerdale has been one of the UK’s most popular soaps for almost 50 years and is showing no signs of heading into decline. Swedish band The Cardigans even named an album after it. Stars from other soaps that have appeared in Emmerdale include Ross Kemp, who played EastEnders’ Grant Mitchell, Pam St Clement who played Pat Butcher in the same programme and Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard AKA Liz McDonald.

Explore Emmerdale and the Yorkshire Dales with Brit Movie Tours

For those interested in booking a fun and informative Emmerdale tour click here. Our expert soap tour guides can help you explore some of the most important and fascinating locations linked to the Yorkshire soap. You can get in touch with Brit Movie Tours at any time to find out more about our sightseeing tours across top filming locations like Leeds, Manchester, London, Liverpool, Bristol, Belfast, Edinburgh and many more.  We have entertained more than 45,000 customers annually for several years, we can be counted on to deliver an Emmerdale tour experience to remember.

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Doctor Who’s Best Guest Stars https://britmovietours.com/movie-tv-news/doctor-whos-best-guest-stars/ Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:13:46 +0000 https://britmovietours.com/?p=28166 Doctor Who has featured a wealth of iconic stars over the past six decades. The show, which began way back in 1963 and saw a hugely successful reboot in 2005 after being rested for almost a decade, is regarded as one of the UK’s biggest ever cultural exports. Let’s take a look at some of...

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Doctor Who has featured a wealth of iconic stars over the past six decades. The show, which began way back in 1963 and saw a hugely successful reboot in 2005 after being rested for almost a decade, is regarded as one of the UK’s biggest ever cultural exports. Let’s take a look at some of its most memorable guest appearances right now.

ANNE ROBINSON (The Parting of the Ways, 2005)

Anne Robinson as Droid Dr Who

Anne Robinson, who was recently announced as the new host of Countdown, featured in Doctor Who when Rose was trapped in a futuristic version of The Weakest Link. Anne appeared as an Anne-Droid, a robotic version of herself.

ALAN CUMMING (The Witchfinders, 2018)

Over the years, many people have expressed hopes that Alan Cumming will one day take on the titular role in Doctor Who. For now, they’ll have to make do with his one guest appearance in the show, when he played King James I in The Witchfinders in one of the most amusing guest spots in recent Who history.

JOHN CLEESE (The City of Death, 1979)

The Monty Python man may have only appeared in Doctor Who briefly, but his short spot in the show is still regarded as one of the most entertaining and interesting guest appearances in its history. Cleese was spotted briefly admiring the TARDIS in an art gallery before Tom Baker flew away in it.

TIMOTHY DALTON (The End of Time, 2009 – 2010)

The man who starred as James Bond in The Living Daylight and Diamonds Are Forever played Rassilon, the Lord President of Gallifrey. His portrayal of Rassilon is widely agreed to be one of the most memorable in the show’s history. The End of Time was a two-parter that was broadcast over the Christmas and New Year period. It featured the return of several former Doctor Who actors, including John Simm, Catherine Tate, Billie Piper and the late Elisabeth Sladen.

DEREK JACOBI (Utopia, 2007)

One of the acting world’s most renowned national treasures, Derek Jacobi was part of the show’s most shocking twists when he was exposed as the evil Timelord, The Master, who has been warring with the Doctor for several centuries. Before his identity was revealed, Jacobi’s character featured to be a gentle ageing inventor.

KYLIE MINOGUE (Voyage of the Damned, 2007)

Kylie Minoque Dr Who

The legendary Australian popstar was no stranger to the screen by the time she appeared in this 2007 Christmas episode, having appeared not only in Neighbours but movies like The Delinquents, Street Fighter and Moulin Rouge too. She played Astrid Peth, who was a waitress on a replica of the Titanic. A romance between David Tennant’s iteration of the doctor and Astrid appeared to be blossoming until she met an untimely end.

CAREY MULLIGAN (Blink, 2007)

Carey Mulligan has starred in a string of critically-acclaimed indie films but featured in Doctor Who before appearing in movies like Shame. Mulligan played Sally Sparrow in the drama, with many fans hoping she will one day reprise her role.

JOHN HURT (The Day of the Doctor)

The iconic John Hurt appeared in the 50th-anniversary episode of the show. He played a version of the Doctor from the Time War that apparently destroyed Gallifrey. John sadly passed away in 2017 at the age of 77.

ANDREW GARFIELD (Daleks in Manhattan, Evolution of the Daleks, 2007)

Hollywood star Andrew Garfield appeared in Doctor Who years before becoming Spiderman. He featured in a two-parter and portrayed the character, Frank. Away from Doctor Who, who appeared in the movie Never Let Me Go with Carey Mulligan.

ANTHONY HEAD (School Reunion, 2006)

The former star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer played Mr Finch, an alien disguised as a headmaster. He also played an academic figure in Buffy. Viewers of a certain age may also remember Anthony as the suave character from the Nescafe Gold Blend ads in the 1980s. He is also the father of The Inbetweeners’ and Emmerdale’s Emily Head.

BRIAN BLESSED (Mindwarp, 1986)

The much-cherished and somewhat shouty star appeared in Doctor Who back in 1986, as King Yrcarnos. In this episode, Colin Baker’s iteration of Doctor Who faced court for breaking the First Law of Time. Brian Blessed recently took part in a sponsored silence to raise money for charity, saying he had learned the art of silence in Nepal.

PETER KAY (Love and Monsters, 2006)

Peter Kay Doctor Who

Northern comedian Peter starred as the alien Victor Kennedy where she transformed a detective firm into a creepy spying business seeking out David Tennant’s Doctor. When other characters start to disappear, it transpires that Kennedy is an alien called Abzorbaloff who has absorbed them into his body. The character resulted from a Blue Peter competition.

KEN DODD (Delta and the Bannermen, 1987)

Much-missed comedy legend Ken was still entertaining audiences with his lengthy shows almost right up to his death in 2018 at the age of 90. Ken appeared alongside Sylvester McCoy’s doctor, The Tollmaster in the eighties when he gave The Doctor and Bonnie Langford’s Mel a trip to 1950s Disneyland. However, a satellite crash meant they landed in South Wales instead.

Get closer to Doctor Who with Brit Movie Tours

If you are interested in checking out some of the most talked-about and interesting locations used in Doctor Who tours, we can help.  At Brit Movie Tours, we have been running fascinating, educational and fun tours of key filming locations across the UK for well over a decade.  Each of our tour guides is an expert in their field and will go the extra mile to provide you with an unforgettable experience. We have worked hard to win incredibly high ratings across all the main review sites and can bring you closer to the stories behind your favourite shows than ever.

Book your experience today

Talk to us today if you’re a Doctor Who superfan keen to learn so much more about many of the locations featured in the long-running series. Our customer network consists of film and TV lovers of all ages, from all around the world. You can reach us today by giving us a call on 0844 2471 007 (UK) or +001 20 7118 1007 (US). You can also contact us by sending an email to info@britmovietours.com.

 

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