The Insider’s Guide to The National Lottery Open Week - As Seen On Screen
From Downton Abbey to Bridgerton to James Bond, the UK is home to some of the world’s most iconic movies and TV shows. The National Lottery Open Week is the perfect opportunity to visit famous filming locations, where you can step into the world of your favourite film or series and discover fascinating stories behind the screen.
Check out the below venues and attractions for some inspiration… and don’t forget your National Lottery ticket or scratchcard (digital or physical) which can be used to unlock special offers during Open Week.
1. Hampton Court Palace
Location: London
Offer: Garden open days 19th and 20th March, and 10% off retail and catering 19th, 20th, 24th – 27th March.
Insider fact: The former home of King Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace doubles as the opulent residence of Queen Charlotte in Netflix’s popular period drama Bridgerton. Sweeping shots of the outer courtyard can be seen in the opening scenes when the carriages arrive for Queen Charlotte's Ball. Downton Abbey, The Young Victoria, The Favourite, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and many more have also filmed at Hampton Court Palace.
Insider tip: Take a trip back in time and visit some of the locations from Oscar-winning film The Favourite. Don’t miss Henry VIII's Kitchens, the Cartoon Gallery and Fountain Court, which all feature in the film.
2. Black Country Living Museum
Location: Dudley, West Midlands
Offer: Free entry 20th and 25th March
Insider fact: The Black Country Living Museum has been the backdrop against which some of the most memorable moments in the BBC drama series Peaky Blinders have been filmed. From the show’s iconic opening scene where we first meet Tommy Shelby arriving on horseback, to Charlie’s Yard where the ‘Tea Party’ scene took place. As well as the award-winning gangster drama, the museum has also provided backdrops for popular feature films including The Colour Room and Stan & Ollie.
Insider tip: Take a walk over the canal’s lifting bridge and head up the hill to capture the best view of the Black Country Living Museum – the backdrop to memorable moments in Peaky Blinders.
3. The Eden Project
Location: Bodelva, Cornwall
Offer: Free Entry - 19th- 27th March 2022
Insider fact: The Eden Project, an eco visitor attraction, was used to film the interior of Gustav Graves’ ice palace in the 2022 James Bond film, Die Another Day. Halle Berry’s stunt double climbed down the real tropical biomes for the film. Eden has featured in many TV series too, including BBC Gardeners’ World, Sky’s Landscape Artist of the Year, and Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.
Insider tip: Check out the Wild Chile - a lesser-known garden located in the Eden Outer Estate, well worth a visit - if you can find it! Home to swathes of Monkey Puzzle trees and the Great Hive Mind: a striking installation made from reclaimed scaffolding poles that provides a home for between 25,000 - 50,000 bees.
4. Fountains Abbey
Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire
Offer: Free entry 19th-27th March
Insider fact: Fountains Abbey was home to the hidden entrance to The Secret Garden in the 1993 film adaptation of the iconic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Season two of the Netflix drama The Witcher was also filmed at the Abbey, as was Channel 4 show Anne Boleyn and the BBC drama Gunpowder.
Insider tip: After admiring Fountains Abbey, visit one of England’s most spectacular Georgian water gardens in the surrounding Studley Royal Park. Amazingly the garden you see today is little changed from the one that would have impressed visitors 200 years ago.
Explore the full list National Lottery Open Week offers at www.NationalLotteryOpenWeek.com.
