Are you planning on visiting England soon? For a dose of England travel inspiration to enhance your itinerary, here are some works and books that place the country’s history, nature, and mythical culture at the heart of their stories, whether in film, novel, or series.
Happy exploring!
Notting Hill
A cult romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, set in the charming West London. Perfect for capturing the romantic British spirit! The film features, among other locations, the bookstore at 142 Portobello Road, the house with the blue door at 280 Westbourne Park Road, and the Coronet Theatre.
The King’s Speech
This film offers a deep dive into British royal history with Colin Firth as King George VI. The prestigious Lancaster House was used for interior scenes of Buckingham Palace and Drapers’ Hall for moments at St. James’s Palace.
I, Daniel Blake
Directed by Ken Loach, the film I, Daniel Blake depicts the heartbreaking struggle of a Newcastle carpenter facing the British welfare system. After a heart attack, Daniel Blake is deemed unfit for work, but his aid is denied. It poignantly exposes the absurd bureaucracy and humiliation suffered by those dependent on the state, offering a critical look at precariousness and social injustice.
Billy Elliot
Northern England in the midst of the miners’ strike in the 1980s, seen through the eyes of a boy passionate about dance. If the name Billy Elliot sounds familiar, it’s no surprise: it has since become a cult musical performed both on Broadway and in London’s West End. This Stephen Daldry film was mostly shot in North East England, including Seaham.
Paddington
For a tender, funny, and aesthetically London look, this beautiful film is a tribute to the kindness and multicultural identity of London as we follow the story of an endearing Peruvian bear who arrives at Paddington Station. Some notable locations: Portobello Road for Mr. Gruber’s shop, the Natural History Museum, and Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Based on Helen Fielding’s books and the subsequent films in the franchise, this film follows the life of an endearing Londoner in her thirties searching for love, meaning, and madness, but often getting it… wrong! From the first Bridget Jones’s Diary, we find through her wild and often zany adventures, London’s cozy pubs, a rainy Christmas, and very typically English characters.
Love Actually
This film by the master of English romantic comedies Richard Curtis (who also directed the cult film Four Weddings and a Funeral) intertwines several love stories in London during the holidays, carried by a prestigious cast (Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson… to name a few!) and its typical warm Christmas atmosphere. A classic film to watch, of course, again and again.
Skyfall
In this James Bond installment, London becomes a true playground for agent 007, with spectacular action scenes in the heart of the city. It takes place notably in the SIS Building (MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall), near the Big Ben clock of Parliament, the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square where Bond meets Q, Whitehall, and the London Underground (notably Charing Cross station).
The Great British Pub Culture, Explained
Traditional pub, country pub, microbrewery… the English tradition of “public houses” is not new, and this short documentary explains its popularity among the English population.
The Crown
The series The Crown depicts the life of the British royal family, focusing on the reign of Elizabeth II. To do this, it uses iconic London locations like Lancaster House, the Lyceum Theatre, and the Old Royal Naval College, faithfully recreating the atmosphere and history of the monarchy.
Downton Abbey
Dive into aristocratic English life at the beginning of the 20th century with superb sets and costumes. The series (and subsequent films) were primarily shot at Highclere Castle, a real family castle inhabited by an English aristocratic family.
Sherlock
With Benedict Cumberbatch, the classic detective’s adventures unfold in a contemporary London blended with the mystery of Conan Doyle. The series was filmed in many iconic locations, notably North Gower Street (for the exterior of 221B Baker Street and Speedy’s Café), St Bartholomew’s Hospital (where Sherlock and Watson meet and where the Reichenbach Falls takes place), and places like Chinatown and the South Bank Skate Park.
Fleabag
A hilarious, raw, and deeply human series. We follow a sarcastic and crisis-ridden young London woman trying to navigate grief, complicated relationships, and loneliness. The series offers a very contemporary view of London life.
Peaky Blinders
In this 6-season series, we follow the story of Birmingham gangsters in 1919, on a mission to dominate the city, known as the Peaky Blinders.
Bridgerton
A successful romantic and historical series, Bridgerton explores London high society through intrigues unveiled by a mysterious chronicler. The series was filmed in magnificent locations across England, notably Ranger’s House in London, Syon House in London, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, and the city of Bath.
A Very English Scandal
The series, starring Claire Foy, takes us back to the 1960s-70s, amidst decadent aristocracy and very real scandals, more precisely during the notorious divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll. Legacies, betrayals, and costumes, the series illustrates the struggle between stifling traditions and social upheavals.
Ted Lasso
An optimistic American coach, Ted Lasso arrives in England not knowing soccer, but learns about life and British customs there, and above all, team spirit. Beautifully filmed in the London borough of Richmond.
The Diplomat
An American diplomat is thrust into the heart of international tensions in London, navigating geopolitical stakes and complex personal relationships in this two-season series with a third one coming.
The Great British Baking Show
This multi-season series is much more than a baking competition: it’s a celebration of English desserts. Scones, biscuits, cakes, puddings… the competition is fierce. A guilty pleasure reality show for the entire English population!
Monty Python
The Monty Python themselves embody typically English absurd humor. From The Holy Grail to Life of Brian, their sketches and films parody history, religion, bureaucracy; everything is irreverently covered.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
In the English countryside of the early 19th century, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet clashes with social conventions when she encounters the proud Mr. Darcy. Read (and watch the film) to fully appreciate its richness!
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
From the platforms of King’s Cross to Durham University, which inspired Hogwarts, England is full of places linked to J.K. Rowling’s magical world. Reading (or watching the films) from the Harry Potter series is an invitation to visit castles, mysterious bookstores, and cobbled streets where anything seems possible.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
An orphan left to fend for himself, Oliver discovers the London underworld by joining a gang of young thieves led by a con artist.
About a Boy by Nick Hornby
In a crisis-ridden post-Brexit London, an improbable romance between two opposing individuals becomes a pretext for a funny and insightful reflection on tolerance and differences.
Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson
With his quirky humor, Bill Bryson travels the country and paints a touching and hilarious portrait of a nation of striking contrasts. From peaceful small villages to industrial cities, from flowery Bed & Breakfasts to seaside fish and chips.
Hamlet and King Lear by William Shakespeare
It’s impossible to think of England without mentioning Shakespeare. His always tragic plays, like Hamlet and King Lear, offer a profound look at the human soul and Elizabethan England, marked by royalty, betrayals, and the mists of power.
Middle England by Jonathan Coe
In this lucid and touching novel, Jonathan Coe recounts the social, cultural, and political fractures of England in the 2010s. Through a gallery of characters, he explores how societal upheavals infiltrate the private lives of each of them.
Watching the English, the Hidden Rules of English Behaviour by Kate Fox
This book by anthropologist Kate Fox is a funny and brilliant dive into typical English behaviors. From tacit rules of conversation to the sense of humor, including the crucial role of weather in discussions, everything is covered.
The English Heritage Podcast
Hosted by comedian Amy Matthews, this podcast explores British history through unusual objects, revealing fascinating and often little-known stories.
