Wiltshire on TV and film

Castle Combe

One of the most picturesque villages in Wiltshire, Castle Combe, is a favourite for film makers, especially those looking for the ‘quintessentially English’ backdrop.

In Stardust, the village of ‘Wall’ including the shop where Tristan (Charlie Cox) works, is Castle Combe. Famously dubbed “the prettiest village in England”, its stone cottages have been seen in the 1967 musical Dr Dolittle, as well as 2010s updating of The Wolfman with Benicio Del Toro, and Steven Spielberg’s film, War Horse.

Salisbury

If you’ve ever imagined Salisbury as the setting for a high-stakes James Bond chase, you’re in luck. No Time To Die (2021), starring Daniel Craig as 007, filmed some intense action sequences on the Ministry of Defence military training area on Salisbury Plain. The open space was used for explosions at Safin’s lair, intense car chases in Norway, and thrilling bunker-bomb scenes.

Salisbury Cathedral has also appeared on screen. It was the inspiration behind the 2010 TV mini-series Pillars of the Earth, based on the novel by Ken Follett. The famous cloisters at Salisbury Cathedral feature in the Spanish Princess, the 2019 TV drama based on novels by Philippa Gregory and some of Sense and Sensibility (1995) starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet was filmed in Cathedral Close.

Stonehenge

The ancient monument is one of the most famous and recognisable sites in the world, and it’s been featured in films and TV shows for decades. It was used in Doctor Who and has appeared in major productions like Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017).

In Thor, Dr. Erik Selvig, played by Stellan Skarsgård, is shown being arrested for being naked and dancing around Stonehenge. It was used as a battle site in Transformers, although the film studio did build a replica of the monument when it came to the actual battle scenes!

Wiltshire has had its fair share of screen time so wherever you visit in the county, you’re probably never far from a famous filming location. Keep an eye out the next time you’re watching something – you might just spot a place you know!