Seeing a filming location, discovering local history and exploring UK scenery - Green Flag reveals how the nation is choosing their summer staycation destinations

  • Nearly five million** Brits chose a staycation destination  so they can visit the filming location of their favourite movie
  • Green Flag has created a new map of the UK detailing the best staycation destinations for film lovers
  • Watch JLS band member and Strictly Come Dancing star Aston Merrygold and fiancée take on their very own movie-based staycation

With UK staycation holidays on the rise this summer, breakdown provider Green Flag, in partnership with The Luna Drive in Cinema, has shared the ultimate staycation guide – with a Hollywood twist!

The findings come after new research conducted by Green Flag* showed the film locations that Brits would most like to visit. From Hollywood blockbusters to cult classics, the UK and Ireland aren’t short of picturesque filming locations.

With a fifth (20 per cent) of the population voting it the destination they’d most like to visit, Glencoe, Scotland which is home to scenes from James Bond’s Skyfall - topped the list.

This was followed closely by Oxford, England (18 per cent), the location for several of the Harry Potter films. Edinburgh, Scotland (17 per cent) where scenes from Danny Boyle’s classic, Trainspotting, were filmed and Brecon Beacons, Wales (16 per cent), the location for The Dark Knight Rises all make up the other leading film-based destinations that Brits would most like to visit in the UK.

See the top 10 UK-based film locations that Brits would most like to visit below: 

UK-based film locations that Brits would most like to visit

Percentage of Brits

Glencoe, Scotland (Skyfall)

20 per cent

Oxford, England (Harry Potter)

18 per cent

Edinburgh, Scotland (Trainspotting)

17 per cent

Brecon Beacons, Wales (The Dark Knight Rises)

16 per cent

Hampshire, England (Downton Abbey)

13 per cent

Carmarthenshire, Wales (Monty Python and The Holy Grail)

12 per cent

Somerset, England (Hot Fuzz)

12 per cent

Notting Hill London, England (Notting Hill)

11 per cent

Wexford, Ireland (Saving Private Ryan)

11 per cent

Kent, England (Pride and Prejudice)

10 per cent

Green Flag has compiled a handy guide of the UK’s top filming spots to help motorists on their movie-inspired road-trip this summer.

Seeing a filming location, discovering local history and exploring UK scenery are all reasons as to why Brits will be staycationing this summer. Nearly fivemillion Brits (4.6 million)** Brits admit that they choose to staycation in order to visit the filming location of their favourite film. Other reasons for taking a staycation include taking in the scenic location (30 per cent), the fact it is easy to get to (21 per cent), the local history (13 per cent) and the range of outdoor activities on offer (eight per cent).

To celebrate the partnership, Green Flag has been road-tripping from one movie hotspot to another with JLS band-member, Aston Merrygold and his fiancé, Sarah Lou Richards. The couple visited some of the UK’s most iconic film locations, some of which are being shown at Luna’s Drive In cinema experience this summer, recreating some memorable scenes from the films along the way.

The iconic locations included Harry Potter (Forbidden Forest, Black Park), Notting Hill (Rosmead Gardens), Mary Poppins ('Admiral Boom's house') and Paddington (30 Chalcot Crescent).

JLS’ Aston Merrygold commented: “I had an amazing time exploring some of the UK’s most iconic film locations with Sarah. With the arrival of our new baby, a break was definitely needed and as a film lover, it was a big tick off the goals list to visit such iconic film settings like the Forbidden Forest and the ‘Admiral Boom’s House’ from Mary Poppins. Travelling and exploring new places is always great fun - there is so much to discover on a staycation, I'd definitely recommend it! I felt even better knowing that I was covered by Green Flag, who are always on hand to help me get to where I needed to be as hassle free as possible.”

Kirsty Hoad, Head of Marketing at Green Flag said: “We’re delighted that Brits will still get a real taste of summer this year in the UK, and it has been a real pleasure partnering with Luna Drive in Cinema to help uncover where screen lovers are looking to head off to for their staycations. Inspired by the cinema, we’ve created the ultimate staycation destination guide, so film fanatics can explore the country’s favourite movie hot spots, but, safe in the knowledge that Green Flag will be there to assist you on your journey wherever you might be in the country, at whatever time of the day.”

In order to help keep drivers get back on the road, Green Flag has released several common sense tips to stay safe .

Green Flag’s Back to Road Driving Tips:

1. Battery - When a car sits unused for a long time, its battery can go flat. That will mean the starter motor can’t do its job and you’ll go nowhere fast. During Covid-19, you should start your car once a week and let the engine run for 20 minutes. This will charge the battery.

A new, healthy battery should be able to go unused for a few weeks without losing all its charge, but older batteries will need some help during the pandemic – especially in colder weather.

2. Tyres - If you can, at least move your car backwards and forwards once a week during its lockdown. For a start, tyres rely on use to move the oils they contain so they stay supple. And if they are left for months in one position, they’ll develop flat spots and the rubber will degrade.

3. Brakes - Corrosion building up between the brake’s pads and discs makes them stick on. Moving the car backwards and forwards at least once a week should prevent this happening. Obviously make sure it’s safe to do this first.

4. Air Con - The air conditioning that features in most new cars uses the coolant that flows through it to lubricate its seals. If the air con goes unused for a period, those seals can dry out and cause leaks. When you start your car to charge the battery, make sure the air con is switched on too.

5. Fuel - The fuller a car is with fuel when it’s left, the better. Both petrol and diesel can degrade when left for long periods.

– ENDS –

Notes to Editors:

* Research conducted on 2,000 UK respondents, August 2020, by Censuswide.
**Based on ONS UK population 2019, figure for 16+

With over 40 years' experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required).

Green Flag Motoring Assistance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Green Flag and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com