East Anglia has become a popular destination for TV and film producers. Its scenic coastline and picturesque towns feature in numerous productions. Here are some filming locations you can explore, just a short distance from the University of East Anglia. 

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts 

You won’t have to travel far to visit this one! The Sainsbury Centre featured in The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) as the exterior for the Avengers’ Headquarters, representing a new base of operations for the Avengers after their previous one was destroyed. The centre’s modern architecture is characterised by expansive glass walls and green surroundings which provide a level of isolation and security. This style makes it a visually impressive choice and enhances the portrayal of the Avengers’ new high-tech facility. The building is easily accessible by walking paths and can be found on the edge of the UEA campus. 

Terrington St Clement 

Although most of the filming for Wicked (2024) has taken place in Buckinghamshire, crew were spotted in the area of Terrington St Clement, just west of Kings Lynn. Over 20 acres of pink, red and white tulips were planted in the surrounding fields. In a behind-the-scenes YouTube video, director Jon M. Chu revealed that approximately 9 million tulips were planted for the production. This stunning tulip field is featured in the film’s trailer, with the movie set for release in November. Although this specific field is not open to the public, you can visit the tulip fields near Kings Lynn in late April to early May, which offer a similarly beautiful experience. 

Gorleston-On-Sea 

The seaside town of Gorleston-On-Sea, located next to Great Yarmouth, was used as a filming location to shoot several iconic scenes in the film Yesterday (2019). In this movie, a struggling singer-songwriter discovers that he is the only one who remembers The Beatles and uses their music to gain fame. One notable scene filmed in Gorleston features the main character delivering a powerful performance from the balcony of the Pier Hotel, overlooking the seafront. Director Danny Boyle praised the amazing reception from Gorleston for this scene where 6000 local residents responded to his call for a lively crowd to dance and have fun. 

Somerleyton Hall 

Near the Norfolk-Suffolk border, Somerleyton Hall has appeared in the popular Netflix series The Crown, standing in for Sandringham Estate, a beloved royal residence. According to Peter Thompson, Somerleyton’s events manager, the hall has a striking resemblance to Sandringham. Both are originally Jacobean houses that were remodeled in the Victorian era, making Somerleyton a fitting substitute for the show. 

Multiple scenes at Somerleyton Hall are dotted throughout the series, including the Christmas gathering in season 4. While the hall is currently closed to the public, you can still admire its exterior architecture and gardens. You can also visit Sandringham Estate itself, located in Norfolk. Its house and gardens are open to the public at select times throughout the year. 

Holkham Beach 

Lastly, we come to the stunning Holkham Beach, a location which has featured as a backdrop for multiple films. It gained worldwide fame in 1998 when it featured in the final scene of the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. In this memorable scene, Paltrow’s character, Viola, walks along the vast expanse of the beach marking a significant moment of change in her life. 

The beach stretches for four miles along the Norfolk coast and was voted ‘Beach of the Year’ by BBC Countryfile magazine readers. Whilst Shakespeare in Love is arguably the most famous film associated with this beach, this location has featured in several other films, such as The Duchess (2008) starring Keira Knightley and Annihilation (2018) starring Natalie Portman. 

East Anglia clearly stands out as a prime location for several TV and Film productions. Its diverse landscapes have the ability to enhance storytelling in several ways. Why not take the opportunity to visit these locations and experience their magic for yourself? 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons