- New interactive tool allows TV fans to find where their favourite shows are filmed – from The Crown to It’s a Sin
- TV tourism booming with more than half of Brits planning staycations inspired by TV shows
- The nation’s favourite TV tourism spots revealed to be Port Issac (Doc Martin), Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) and Truro (Poldark)
- The ‘Bridgerton effect’ continues as the show tops the list of the most searched for TV filming locations
Virgin Media O2 is launching an interactive online map revealing the iconic locations featured in many of the UK’s most popular shows – from The Crown to It’s a Sin.
New online tool, TV Mapper, allows users to search by show, genre or region; plan the ultimate fan route; and follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters, virtually or in person.
From the infamous Diddly Squat Farm that is the centre of reality show Clarkson’s Farm through to the secret subway meeting point featured in Line of Duty, TV Mapper uncovers instantly recognisable locations from more than 50 hit UK shows, including cult classics and bingeworthy boxsets.
This comes as new research shows a rise in ‘TV tourism’ with more than half (56%) of Brits visiting UK destinations after seeing them on screen, and nearly a quarter (21%) enjoying a TV-inspired staycation in the past year.
The research, commissioned by Virgin Media O2, also reveals the most popular TV tourism spots to be Port Issac (Doc Martin), Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), and Truro (Poldark).
As the nation tuned in to more TV than ever throughout lockdown, it was Bridgerton that intrigued viewers the most, with the Netflix sensation topping the list of the most searched for show filmed in the UK.
The findings, which are based on Google search data uncovered by Virgin Media O2, also show a 174% uplift in searches for ‘staycation’ in the last year alone, as Brits look for UK holiday ideas while navigating travel restrictions.
David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “TV became a lifeline in lockdown when we were only able to escape through our screens.
“Now things have opened up, we’re seeing a rise in TV tourism, as holidaymakers have been inspired by scenes of programmes set in the UK.
“With TV Mapper, we’re taking this to the next level by mapping iconic UK filming locations in one place, making it easy for TV fans to get closer to their favourite shows – whether that’s walking the grounds of Downton Abbey or exploring the Cornish coastline featured in Doc Martin.”
Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive at Visit Cornwall, added: “Cornwall is one of, if not the top, holiday destinations and TV imagery of our beautiful coast and countryside is our most powerful promotion channel. It is exciting to see that Truro, our great little city, has been chosen as the top TV staycation location in Virgin Media O2’s survey. Although we have two stunning coasts, the inland towns are often the best unknown, yet equally amazing, places to visit.”
In time for the summer holidays, Virgin Media O2 has boosted its mobile network in thousands of UK TV tourism hotspots, making it even easier to plan a staycation route or share selfies on-the-go – including 4G upgrades in Barry Island, Margate and Derry.
TV fans can explore the UK filming locations of their favourite shows by visiting:
https://www.virginmedia.com/blog/tv/filming-locations
Notes to Editors:
- The survey of 2,000 UK adults was carried out by One Poll between 18th and 22nd June 2021.
- The analysis of the most searched for TV show and the increase in searches of ‘staycation’ is based on Google search data captured between May 2020 and May 2021.
ENDS
press enquiries
press enquiries