How lucky are we to live in the most beautiful home county of Surrey?<\/p>\n
And we\u2019re not the only ones that think so! Hollywood movie producers have long taken note of our stunning locations with the meandering backdrop of the famous Surrey Hills, architecture steeped in history and beautiful quaint villages.<\/p>\n
Some of the biggest budget movies of the last few decades have been filmed here, we were shocked to find out how many!<\/p>\n
We are now very proud to present the Top 20 Hollywood films that have been made in Surrey.<\/p>\n
\n
THE HOLIDAY<\/p>\n
Where: Holmbury St. Mary, Shere & Godalming<\/p>\n
When: 2006<\/p>\n
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslett & Jack Black<\/p>\n
Scenes shot: Cameron Diaz and Jude Law were among a host of stars who descended on Shere for the filming of this festive romantic comedy, The Holiday. Several shops and the 15th century pub, The White Horse, appear in the film. Another scene where Diaz is browsing in a village market when she arrives in Surrey was filmed in a candle shop in Godalming as well as Godalming High Street and Kate Winslett\/Iris\u2019 cottage was located in the picturesque village of Holmbury St Mary.<\/p>\n
Rumour DIAZ it: Cameron Diaz offered everyone a drink in the pub that was there for filming in the Godalming pub scene.<\/em><\/p>\n \n HARRY POTTER<\/p>\n Where: Bracknell & Virginia Water<\/p>\n When: 2001-2011<\/p>\n Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson & Rupert Grint<\/p>\n Places of interest: Privet Drive where Harry Potter lived with his parents was shot in in Picket Post Close (a cul-de-sac based in Bracknell) which is still open to tourists today, Virginia Waters was used to represent Hogwarts Lake (where Harry rode on HippoGriff in the \u2018Prisoner of Azkaban\u2019 and where Hermione passed on messages to Harry and Ron in the \u2018Goblet of Fire\u2019) and Shepperton Studios was the main studio behind the $7.7bn grossing film series.<\/p>\n \n CASINO ROYALE<\/p>\n Where: Dunsfold Park, Cranleigh<\/p>\n When: 2006<\/p>\n Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench & Eva Green<\/p>\n Place of Interest: Dunsfold Park, near Guildford. Which was home to the popular BBC TV Show \u2018Top Gear\u2019, and doubled as Miami International Airport in the James Bond blockbuster, Casino Royale, one of the most popular Bond movies of all time with a $616m worldwide gross at the box office.<\/p>\n \n AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON<\/p>\n Where: Ockham<\/p>\n When:1981<\/p>\n Starring: David Naughton, Griffin Dunne & Jenny Agutter<\/p>\n Place of Interest: The Black Swan Pub, Ockham<\/p>\n Synopsis: The Black Swan in Ockham doubled as the ominously named Slaughtered Lamb in this classic starring David Naughton & Jenny Agutter. The cult film went on to entertain audiences across the pond and grossed over $62million worldwide with an original budget of $6million. It also received a staggering 7.5 rating on IMDB. The Black Swan in Ockham also won \u2018Best Gastropub\u2019 at the Surrey Awards 2024 beating 75 local gastropubs.<\/p>\n \n GLADIATOR<\/p>\n Where: Farnham<\/p>\n When: 2000<\/p>\n Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix & Oliver Reed<\/p>\n Place of Interest: Bourne Wood, Farnham<\/p>\n Synopsis: The opening battle scene of Ridley Scott\u2019s Oscar-winning epic, \u2018Gladiator\u2019 starring Russell Crowe and former Surrey resident Oliver Reed, was filmed in Bourne Wood, near Farnham, where the wooded countryside provided the perfect substitute for the forests of Southern Germany. This film won 12 Oscars in 2001 for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Cinematography.<\/p>\n \n BRIDGET JONES II: THE EDGE OF REASON<\/p>\n Where: Shere, Dorking<\/p>\n When: 2010<\/p>\n Starring: Hugh Grant, Renee Zellwegger & Colin Firth<\/p>\n Place of Interest: St James Church, Shere was the backdrop for the final romantic scene where the renewal of Bridget\u2019s parents (Pamela & Colin) wedding vows took place. The second film in the Helen Fielding-penned trilogy was a box office hit with a $265m gross profit.<\/p>\n \n ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS<\/p>\n Where: East Horsley<\/p>\n When: 2016<\/p>\n Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska & Helena Bonham Carter<\/p>\n Place of Interest: Horsley Park<\/p>\n Synopsis: Following on from 2010\u2019s \u2018Alice in Wonderland\u2019, Disney\u2019s Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass began filming at Shepperton Studios \u2013 and then spread locally with sightings at Horsley Park in East Horsley and Effingham.<\/p>\n \n THE KING\u2019S MAN<\/p>\n Where: Hankley Common, Elstead<\/p>\n When: 2021<\/p>\n Starring: Colin Firth, Rhys Ifans, Samuel L Jackson & Mark Strong<\/p>\n Place of Interest: The woodland scenes took place on MoD land at Hankley Common, in Elstead, Godalming in Surrey.<\/p>\n Synopsis: In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions. This is the prequal to the \u2018Kingsman: The Secret Service\u2019 which came out in 2014 and also \u2018Kingsman: The Golden Circle\u2019 in 2017. All films were awarded IMDB scores of 7. and above.<\/p>\n \n FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL<\/p>\n Where: Betchworth & Albury, Dorking<\/p>\n When: 1994<\/p>\n Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie McDowell & Rowan Atkinson.<\/p>\n Place of Interest: The beautiful St Michael\u2019s Church in Betchworth (for the first wedding of characters of Laura and Angus) was one of three churches used in this classic romantic comedy that propelled Hugh Grant to international fame. Another was St Peter\u2019s and St Paul\u2019s, the Saxon church at Albury Park, Albury, near Dorking.<\/p>\n Fun fact: The mansion they used in \u2018Four Weddings & A Funeral\u2019 for the wedding of Hamish & Carrie is now on sale for \u00a31.65m<\/p>\n \n THE OMEN<\/p>\n Where: Guildford<\/p>\n When:1971<\/p>\n Starring: Gregory Peck, Lee Remick & David Warner<\/p>\n Place of Interest: Guildford Cathedral<\/p>\n Scenes shot: Arguably one of the most iconic horror films of all time, \u2018The Omen\u2019 features a scene at Guildford’s cathedral. Damien is travelling with his parents when he suddenly spots the passing spire of a cathedral. As the building looms into view, he is thrown into a rage, foams at the mouth and tries to bite his mother. The Cathedral\u2019s dean, Victor Stock, heavily disapproved of the choice to allow the landmark to feature in the movie: ”It was a disaster, it should never have been done. People who were a bit thick were frightened to come into the building. If I was dean then, I never would have allowed it. After that, the damage was done…It was terribly difficult.”<\/p>\n \n LEGEND<\/p>\n Where: Kingston<\/p>\n When: 2015<\/p>\n Starring: Tom Hardy, Emily Browning & Paul Anderson<\/p>\n Place of Interest: The Old Crown Court and Cells at the former Surrey County Hall in Kingston<\/p>\n Synopsis: Set in the 1960\u2019s, Legend is a true story of London\u2019s infamous twin gangsters, Ronnie and Reggie Kray and their rise in the criminal underworld. Tom Hardy played both twins in this film version; Ronnie & Reggie Kray and he lives in Richmond, Surrey.<\/p>\n \n EMMA<\/p>\n Where: Leith Hill, Dorking<\/p>\n When: 2020<\/p>\n Starring: Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth & Anya Taylor-Joy<\/p>\n Synopsis: The picnic scene location from the classic Jane Austen novel and adapted film \u2018Emma\u2019 which was produced in 2020 by Autumn Dee Wild was shot on the hills and surrounding area of Leith Hill in Dorking.<\/p>\n All of the musical performances in the film are real and played by the actors in character.<\/p>\n Fun Fact: Leith Hill is the childhood home one of England\u2019s greatest composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and was often visited by Charles Darwin.<\/p>\n \n WONDER WOMAN<\/p>\n Where: Waverley Abbey & Kingswood L&G<\/p>\n When: 1984 & 2020<\/p>\n Starring: Gal Gadot, Pedro Pascal<\/p>\n Place of Interest: The former Legal & General HQ building, Kingswood<\/p>\n Synopsis: Diana (Gal Gadot), the immortal Amazon warrior, must contend with a work colleague and businessman, whose desire for extreme wealth sends the world down a path of destruction, after an ancient artefact that grants wishes goes missing. The set for the Black Gold Cooperative offices, run by Maxwell Lord played by Pedro Pascal were filmed at the former Legal & General HQ building, in Kingswood, Surrey. The production spent approximately 8 weeks on site. The 1984 film \u2018Wonder Woman\u2019 used the same L&G premises in Kingswood and The Waverley Abbey in Surrey.<\/p>\n \n LOVE ACTUALLY<\/p>\n Where: Epsom, Surrey<\/p>\n When: 2003<\/p>\n Starring: Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson & Martine McCutcheon<\/p>\n Place of Interest: The Queen\u2019s Stand, Epsom Racecourse<\/p>\n Synopsis: Everyone\u2019s favourite scene in Love Actually \u2013 the bit where they show the arrivals hall at Heathrow Airport \u2013 was actually shot at Epsom Racecourse back in 2003. The main message and point of the Richard Curtis \u2018Love Actually\u2019 film was how love is humanity\u2019s \u201cUniversal Love Language\u201d.<\/p>\n \n THE GOOD LIAR<\/p>\n Where: Fetcham, Surrey<\/p>\n When: 2019<\/p>\n Starring: Sir Ian McKellen & Dame Helen Mirren<\/p>\n Place of Interest: Fetcham residential areas<\/p>\n The story follows con artist Roy Courtnay (McKellen) who meets widowed Betty McLeish (Mirren) online. While Roy has plans of his own, he soon finds himself in a game of cat and mouse. A number of external scenes took place on a residential street called Baddingham Drive in Fetcham, Surrey, which is located by the famous Fetcham Park House pictured.<\/p>\n \n SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN<\/p>\n Where: Frensham Ponds, Farnham<\/p>\n When: 2012<\/p>\n Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Nick Frost<\/p>\n Synopsis: Snow White goes through some heart ache after losing her mother. Her father King Magnus then marries and then everything goes dark from then onwards. Frensham Ponds in Farnham, Surrey was the perfect location backdrop where they had the idealistic setting for the zombie battlefield.<\/p>\n \n HOWARD’S END<\/p>\n Where: The Royal Holloway University, Egham<\/p>\n When:1992<\/p>\n Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson & Vanessa Redgrave<\/p>\n Synopsis: A film that looks at relationships in how they can grow when two people are so different. The Royal Holloway College University in Egham was used as a backdrop as the Psychiatric Institute in this star-studded film, that grossed $26,352 in the box office.<\/p>\n \n GOLDEN EYE<\/p>\n Where: Epsom, Surrey<\/p>\n When: 1995<\/p>\n Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Judi Dench, Sean Bean & Robbie Coltrane<\/p>\n Synopsis: A satellite falls into the hands of Alec Trevelyan AKA Agent 006 who is played by Sean Bean. Can 007 AKA Pierce Brosnan save the world as he faces the wrath of his 006 nemesis Sean Bean? Bond arrives at St Petersburg Airport doubled as the Epsom Racecourse location as he meets Bean AKA 006 in the penultimate scene.<\/p>\n \n JURASSIC WORLD<\/p>\n Where: Farnham<\/p>\n When: 2018<\/p>\n Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard<\/p>\n Place of Interest: Bourne Wood, Farnham<\/p>\n Synopsis: When a volcano on Isla Nublar threatens to endanger the existence of the dinosaurs on the island, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) set out on a mission to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from extinction. Bourne Wood, in Farnham, features as the woodland location where Owen is building his cabin.<\/p>\n \n ALI G IN \u2018DA HOUSE<\/p>\n Where: Staines<\/p>\n When: 2002<\/p>\n Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Kellie Bright & Martin Freeman<\/p>\n Synopsis: Ali G becomes a pawn when he creates a plan to overthrow the Prime Minister but little did he know he would be the Voice of the Nation. They used a lot of roads and known locations to film such as Staines Town Centre, Staines Car Park and the local leisure centre.<\/p>\n Fun Fact: Sacha Baron Cohen studied at Cambridge University and interacted with real people (not actors) who were totally unaware they were participating in a gag!<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How lucky are we to live in the most beautiful home county of Surrey? And we\u2019re not the only ones that think so! Hollywood movie producers have long taken note of our stunning locations with the meandering backdrop of the famous Surrey Hills, architecture steeped in history and beautiful quaint villages. Some of the biggest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":7992,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[286,285,235],"class_list":["post-7991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","tag-gladiator","tag-hollywood","tag-surrey"],"yoast_head":"\n