With “set-jetting” — traveling to visit movie and television filming locations — continuing to rise as a hot travel trend, film-loving clients will soon have new locations to add to their travel wish lists, thanks to “Wonka.” Inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic 1964 book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the new movie features backdrops from around Britain that can be added to fans’ next trip across the pond.
Here are a few locations and opportunities for travel advisors to recommend.
London
- English Heritage site Eltham Palace and Gardens started out as a medieval palace before becoming a Tudor royal residence. It was next transformed into an extravagant home in the 1930s by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. Today, visitors can explore 19 acres of medieval and modern gardens, as well as the art-deco mansion itself, which includes a unique “map room” where the couple planned their travels, and sleeping quarters that were especially designed for their pet lemur.
- The Rivoli Ballroom describes itself as “one of the last remaining intact 1950s-style ballrooms left in London.” Thanks to its authentic, vintage looks, it is has made frequent appearances in movies and television shows, now including “Wonka.” The ballroom hosts a full lineup of events, from pop-up cinema and ballroom dancing to soul, reggae and disco nights.
St. Albans
- North of London, travelers will find the city of St. Albans, home to a number of “Wonka” filming locations, including Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. The pub’s original structure dates as far back as 793 A.D., and has been carefully preserved over hundreds of years.
- Verulamium Park, meanwhile, is home to 100 acres of peaceful parkland near the city center. There’s an ornamental lake, the Ver River Trail and a wealth of water birds, as well as the Verulamium Museum, where visitors can learn about St. Albans’ past as a Roman city.
Oxford
- At the University of Oxford, working library Radcliffe Camera (part of the Bodleian Old Library complex) serves as a backdrop in the film. The only way for the public to visit is on a guided tour, which are available in 30-, 60- or 90-minute versions.
- The nearby Sheldonian Theatre, also part of Oxford University, is another “Wonka” site. Visitors can take in a 360-degree view of Oxford from the theater’s “Cupola” and appreciate the magnificent ceiling painted by Robert Streater, either on their own or via a guided tour.
Bath
- Located in Britain’s southwest, Bath’s “Wonka” filming locations include the two-and-a-half-acre Parade Gardens, where the manicured grounds overlook the River Avon. For a small entrance fee, clients can enjoy the flower beds, wander scenic pathways and enjoy views of Pulteney Bridge.
Visitors can admire Bath Abbey's stunning design.
Credit: 2023 VisitBritain- The stunning Bath Abbey is an active space for worship, but also welcomes visitors to enjoy its art and history. Clients can plan a casual visit or a more formal tour; they can also see a choir perform live at weekly services. Orange Grove, just in front of the Abbey, was originally a communal garden. It dates back to the early 18th century, and now serves as a traffic roundabout, albeit it a scenic one with flowers and greenery. Both sites were used in the film.
Dorset
- Lyme Regis, a seaside resort area in Dorset, shows up in “Wonka” by way of the Cobb, its breakwater harbor wall. Advise clients that the best way to see the wall is on foot, by walking from the square along the area’s Marine Parade. (Fun fact: A set of steps that connect the lower part of the Cobb to the upper part are known locally as “Granny’s Teeth,” and were featured in Jane Austen’s novel “Persuasion.”)
