Pop culture pilgrimages are all the rage – here’s our list of some of the best UK sites to visit!

From famous films and TV shows to literature and music, it’s no secret that we’re a nation of culture vultures! But did you know that 51% of people in the UK have embarked on a modern-day pilgrimage to visit a favourite cultural landmark inspired by films, TV shows, literature, art or music?

Our recent research into the power of pop culture in the UK revealed that of the 2000 adults we asked, 21% have recreated famous scenes from TV shows and movies when they’ve visited a cultural hotspot, while 12% admitted to travelling 250 miles or more to get there! Additionally, nearly two thirds had visited famous spots just to see what they look like in real life, while 44% go just for the photo opportunities.

Popular sites which draw visitors from across the country include the Abbey Road zebra crossing made famous by The Beatles, murals created by graffiti artist Banksy and Princes Street in Edinburgh – which featured in an iconic scene from the film Trainspotting. Other cultural landmarks include 23 Heddon Street in London, as featured on the cover of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album, Castle Howard near York, where the classic Brideshead Revisited was filmed, as well as several locations in Birmingham thanks to the success of the Peaky Blinders series.

Dr Adams’ list includes the ‘Narnia Door’ in Oxford – the inspiration for C.S. Lewis’s iconic book series – and the village Portmeirion in Wales, site of the cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner. In the capital, London’s Portobello Road – which features in both Paddington movies and houses Will’s bookshop from the movie Notting Hill – is also named in the top 10.

Dr Ruth Adams says:
“Visits to TV, film and musically significant locations are modern pilgrimages. For a small country, the UK punches well above its weight as both a tourist destination and a cultural powerhouse. We create world leading art and popular culture – from literature to film, television and music, and many people like to plan their holidays around pilgrimages to sites of cultural significance to get closer to their idols and fantasies. Going to locations that The Beatles or David Bowie not only visited but made iconic on album covers can bring fans closer to the ‘aura’ of these stars.” 

For some, that aura has a life-changing impact – around 12% of those we surveyed even claim to have moved to a town or city purely because of its connection to a piece of culture they adore. One in 10 even named their child after a beloved character in a film, book, TV show or other piece of culture, while 13% used this as inspiration for naming their pet.

Our Managing Director Simon Ewins said:
“Modern day pilgrimages to places made famous through popular culture are becoming even more popular and there are so many of these hidden gems in the UK that make perfect locations for holidays and short breaks. There are many that may not have even realised the places they are visiting are famous backdrops. While many, like Battersea Power Station, are well-known to fans of Pink Floyd and beyond, there are many that are much more unassuming but well worth a visit. We hope with the creation of our interactive map, visitors can create exciting plans this year to visit some of their favourite spots across the UK and make the most of what the UK has to offer.”