We all wish that we could take classes at Hogwarts with Harry Potter or get the chance to dance with a real Disney prince or princess in their castle. While none of that, sadly, is possible, there are several real sites throughout the world that were either used directly in one of our favorite films or used as a basis for an animated film.
10 Alnwick Castle – Harry Potter
Every kid who has grown up with the Harry Potter book series has dreamed about getting that fated letter and going to Hogwarts. While there are no classes or wand-waving at Alnwick Castle, it is the location where the first [amazon asin=B005OCFGTO&template=*lrc ad (left)]two Harry Potter movies—The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets—were filmed. Visitors may recognize Alnwick Castle’s courtyard as the field where the famous first flying lesson takes place.
Alnwick Castle has also played a major role throughout history—it was one of the most important locations in the infamous War of the Roses between the houses of York and Lancaster. Specifically, it was one of three major castles that Queen Margaret (who was supported by the Lancastrians) managed to recapture after her husband Henry was forced from his throne by the Yorkists.[amazon asin=B002VWNIDG&template=*lrc ad (right)]
9 Bourne Wood – Multiple Films
Bourne Wood is one of the most iconic areas for filming, and dozens of movies have used this forest for their scenes. Not only is it where the opening battle scene for the famous movie Gladiator was filmed, it was also used in [amazon asin=B007STBUHI&template=*lrc ad (left)]movies such as The Golden Compass, Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, and Captain America. Besides its prestige in the film industry, Bourne Wood is also an important area environmentally—it’s home to several rare animal species.
Conservationists have raised serious concerns about the risks the movie industry poses to the forest and its inhabitants, especially the explosions and other loud noises that disrupt not only the animals, but also the people living around the woods. Recently, limitations have been proposed to only allow filming to take place six months out of the year, and night filming has been limited to seven days per year.[amazon asin=B0084IG8TM&template=*lrc ad (right)]
8 Doune Castle – Monty Python And The Holy Grail
When the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail was shot, this castle was used for not one, but several different castles throughout the story, from the location of the infamous wedding scene to the lair of the man-eating rabbit. Doune Castle has also had a variety of uses throughout history, from a royal retreat used by figures such as Mary Queen Of Scots to a literal prison used to house dissenters against the throne. It also served as a garrison used by the Scottish army against Oliver Cromwell.
However, the castle was not always an effective prison, and there are accounts of enemy soldiers escaping by tying together bedsheets and simply climbing out the window. This makes the scene with Lancelot and the effeminate prince who attempts to escape out the window even more hilarious. Today, Doune Castle is under the highest level of protection for heritage buildings in Scotland.
