Good Afternoon Lovelies, 

Summer’s here and the weather is easy! Plus, super perfect to go outside and enjoy the wonders of the great British countryside with a staycation. Picture it lovelies, you could recreate the Mr. Darcy scene in Pride and Prejudice in a beautiful lake in Somerset, bask in the wonders of Scotland like the characters in PS. I Love You or wander through London’s history like many a character has done.

And now with the help of Premier Inn and British movie location expert, Tom Howard, you can find your perfect break even easier. Having found some of the best hidden treasures the UK has to offer, after gaining years of expertise in the world of film and TV, on movies and shows like The Night Manager and A Monster Calls, the pair have created a list of ten less well-known locations that Tom believes are perfect for a 2018 summer staycation. As well, as the closest Premier Inn’s to them, so you don’t have to worry about where you will rest your head after taking them in.

So, pack a suitcase and get ready for the ultimate getaway this weekend by heading to one of the places on Tom’s list below:

Tilbury Fort, Premier Inn Location: Thurrock East: Tilbury Fort is one of the most amazing military forts in the UK. Situated in a very industrial area of Kent it is one of my favourite locations in the UK. Built on the site of an Elizabethan fort the current construction dates from the 17th Century. This English Heritage site also offers free entry for up to six children accompanied by an adult member (under 19 years and within the family group).

Leighton House, Premier Inn Location: London Kensington/Olympia: The perfect location for an Edwardian story, it holds some of the best Arabesque interiors from a time when wealthy travellers explored and were inspired by the Middle East. Leighton House hosts family activities every month, exploring an array of themes and presenting diverse activities for parents and children alike.

Freshwater West Beach, Premier Inn Location: Haverford West: Freshwater Beach is not only one of England and Wales’ best beaches also a regular haunt of the movie world with Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows famously using it as the backdrop for Dobby's Shell Cottage. Although the cottage was taken down after filming you can still walk in the footsteps of Harry, Hermione and Ron.

Charlestown Harbour, Premier Inn Location: St Austell: To the south of St Austell is a tiny period harbour, Charlestown. An unspoilt, purpose-built harbour originating from the Georgian period built between 1791 and 1801, it’s also a prime location for historic television series, Poldark.

Aysgarth Falls, Premier Inn Location: Catterick Garrison: Visit the superb waterfalls on the River Ure. The National Park Centre here also encompasses lovely walks in the surrounding woods or to the picturesque villages of Carperby or Aysgarth. Next to the Centre is the Coppice Café which serves a great selection of drinks and meals largely made with locally-sourced ingredients.

Lavenham, Premier Inn Location: Bury St. Edmunds: Lavenham is a jewel of a medieval village located in the heart of Suffolk and is the perfect location for a long weekend, offering a wide selection of places to eat, drink and explore.

Lincoln Cathedral, Premier Inn Location: Lincoln: Lincoln Cathedral is an example of architecture at its finest with The Da Vinci Code and The Young Victoria using this iconic building as a stand-in for Westminster Abbey. The Cathedral has its very own hidden treasures with fossils embedded in the huge slabs of limestone.


Dunnottar Castle, Premier Inn Location: Aberdeen South: One of the most amazing positioned castles in Scotland! A medieval fortress on a rocky headland, the rock the Castle sits upon was forced to the surface 440 million years ago during the Silurian period and has been of great strategic importance over the centuries.

East Lancashire Railway, Premier Inn Location: Manchester Bury: The East Lancashire Railway is a 20km heritage railway line in North West England which runs between Heywood in Greater Manchester and Rawtenstall in Lancashire. Featured in the 2017 movie A Monster Calls, the railway offers a day out for everyone in the family.

Castle Ward, Premier Inn Location: Lisburn: The location of Castle Ward is well-known and loved by Game of Thrones fans. This National Trust site makes the perfect spot for a family day out with activities and maps to find the spots in the estate which have been used in this monumental series.

Speaking about his choices Tom said, “The primary duty of a location manager is to discover places to film which are interesting, unique and not often in the public eye. From a castle on a hill in the middle of Scotland to a heritage railway in eastern Lancashire, the United Kingdom is full of treasures that are off the beaten track.  I’m privileged to have a job that sees me scouring the entire UK looking for places that will delight moviegoers and TV viewers and it’s wonderful to have hand-picked a few of my favourites for Premier Inn. These really wonderful destinations may not be the first place that travellers think of but, trust me, they are well worth a visit.”