Set-Jetting: Where You Can Experience Your Favourite Movies in Real Life

If you have ever paused a beloved film to frantically search, “Where on Earth was that filmed?”, you are certainly not alone. An ever-growing wave of travellers is swapping standard holiday hotspots for journeys inspired by on-screen magic. Welcome to set-jetting – a travel trend that turns cinematic moments into real-life adventures, where every frame doubles as an invitation to explore.

In this article, we will whisk you away on a vibrant tour of some of the world’s most iconic filming locations. From stately castles to futuristic cityscapes, and from eerie mountain lodges to quaint hobbit hamlets, prepare to experience your favourite films in ways you never imagined. So fasten your seatbelt and get ready to step into the movies!

Also read: 10 Types of Tourism You’ve Never Heard Of (But Totally Should)

What Is Set-Jetting?

Set-jetting soared in popularity with the rise of streaming services. It is all about venturing to the real-life places where much-loved films and TV shows were shot. Rather than merely admiring these cinematic wonders from your sofa, you travel to the locations that sparked on-screen magic – from spellbinding vistas to grand estates and futuristic urban settings.

Essentially, set-jetting transforms screen-time reveries into tangible adventures. It offers travellers a unique way to connect with stories that have captured their imaginations. If you have ever dreamt of swapping your living room for a far-flung escapade, set-jetting might become your new obsession.

Highclere Castle, England: Downton Abbey

Step into a world of refined elegance at Highclere Castle, the famed backdrop of the hit TV series Downton Abbey. Nestled in the English countryside, this stately home invites you to wander through opulent rooms and explore its vast 1,000-acre grounds. Imagine yourself attending an exclusive ball or savouring afternoon tea in the same halls that brought the Crawley family to life.

Moreover, every inch of Highclere Castle oozes aristocratic charm and sends you back to an era of lavish soirées. If you love period dramas or simply adore timeless luxury, this location feels like stepping straight into another century.

St Abbs, Scotland: Avengers Endgame

A short trek north leads to St Abbs, a rugged fishing village perched on Scotland’s dramatic Berwickshire coast. Recognised as New Asgard in Avengers: Endgame, this quaint spot boasts more than scenic seascapes. Indeed, it is where Thor once sought refuge (and perhaps a sneaky pint) after his legendary battles.

As you wander its windswept cliffs and indulge in local treats, you can easily imagine how Marvel magic transformed this unassuming hamlet into a superhero haven. Each hidden corner offers a reminder that extraordinary adventures often unfold in the most peaceful places.

Les Espaces d’Abraxas, Noisy-le-Grand, France: The Hunger Games

For a taste of dystopian intrigue, head to Les Espaces d’Abraxas in Noisy-le-Grand, just outside Paris. This imposing urban complex, featured in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, blends futuristic design with an unsettling edge that feels both surreal and oddly familiar.

To get to this architectural wonderland, you can hop on the RER A at Gare de Lyon for a short 30-minute ride. Roaming its towering structures and sweeping plazas feels like stepping into a scene ripped straight from a science fiction saga.

Fun fact: Korean superstar ROSÉ of BLACKPINK fame just released her performance video for her hit song Number One Girl. It was filmed at this very location!

The Stanley Hotel, Colorado: The Shining

Craving a hint of the supernatural? The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is calling your name. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novel The Shining propelled this grand old lodge to cult status, and its atmosphere still crackles with intrigue and suspense. You will sense a blend of historic allure and ghostly whispers echoing through every corridor.

Additionally, the hotel nestles against the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, so you can drink in majestic views while you explore its storied hallways. Expect a spine-tingling thrill that remains with you long after you leave.

Wadi Rum, Jordan: Dune and Lawrence of Arabia

If you yearn for a sweeping desert odyssey, Wadi Rum in Jordan promises an otherworldly escape. Towering sandstone formations and crimson dunes create a vast landscape that has graced films such as Dune and Lawrence of Arabia. With each step across this sun-scorched terrain, you will unearth ancient mysteries and cinematic echoes.

Alternatively, you can choose a camel trek or a 4×4 tour to traverse its awe-inspiring expanses. Either way, Wadi Rum offers an adventure so colossal it feels pulled straight from the silver screen.

Hobbiton, New Zealand: The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

Any film-inspired journey would be incomplete without a visit to Hobbiton. Tucked away on a tranquil sheep farm in New Zealand, this enchanting village – created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit – lives up to its fairy-tale reputation.

Indeed, you can roam winding lanes lined with adorable hobbit holes, bask under the legendary Party Tree, and savour a drink at the cosy Green Dragon Inn. For Tolkien devotees and everyone enthralled by simpler pleasures, Hobbiton lets you step into Middle-earth one delightful moment at a time.

Reel Life, Real Adventures

Set-jetting offers more than a chance to see filming locations; it celebrates the cinematic magic that inspires our everyday lives. Whether you are drawn to Highclere Castle’s refined grace, enchanted by St Abbs’ rugged coastal charm, intrigued by Les Espaces d’Abraxas’ futuristic grandeur, tempted by the chilling halls of The Stanley Hotel, captivated by the sweeping vistas of Wadi Rum, or dazzled by the warm welcome of Hobbiton, each place invites you to move beyond the screen and into your own cinematic tale.

Also read: These Hobbit Houses in Spain Look Straight Out of Hobbiton in New Zealand!

So pack your bags, charge your camera, and prepare for a film-inspired journey unlike any other. Happy travels, fellow film buffs – may your adventures be as epic as the movies that sparked your wanderlust!