Brits are a nation of pop culture vultures, as new research from Premier Inn shows that over half (51%) of us have made a modern-day pilgrimage to our favourite cultural landmark, inspired by films, TV shows, literature, art and music. In the survey of 2,000 adults, 21% admitted to having recreated famous scenes from TV and movies when they’ve visited a cultural hotspot, with over one in 10 (12%) travelling 250 miles or more to get there.
Nearly two thirds (65%) visit famous spots to see what they look like in real life, while 44% go just for the photo opportunities. Sites like the Beatles’ famous Abbey Road zebra crossing, graffiti artist Banksy’s murals and Princes Street in Edinburgh – as featured in an iconic scene from the film Trainspotting all generate intrigue and draw visitors from across the country.
London’s 23 Heddon Street, as featured on the cover of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album, Castle Howard near York, where the classic Brideshead Revisited was filmed and locations in Birmingham – home to the ‘Peaky Blinders’ are also popular trip sites. Premier Inn has partnered with leading expert Dr Ruth Adams, senior lecturer in cultural & creative industries at King’s College London, to name 10 must-see cultural pilgrimage sites in the UK.
In addition, the UK’s largest hotel chain has also created an interactive map to plan the perfect cultural staycation. The shows a wide range of cultural hotspots from literature, art, music, film and TV, and when clicked each site reveals the two nearest Premier Inns. Ruth’s list includes Oxford’s ‘Narnia Door’ – the inspiration for CS Lewis’s iconic book series and the village Portmeirion in Wales, site of the cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner.
In the capital, London’s Portobello Road – which features in both Paddington movies, and houses Will’s bookshop in the movie Notting Hill are also named in the top 10. Ruth said: “Visits to TV, film and musically significant locations are modern pilgrimages. For a small country, the UK punches well above its weight as both a tourist destination and a cultural powerhouse. We create world leading art and popular culture – from literature to film, television and music, and many people like to plan their holidays around pilgrimages to sites of cultural significance to get closer to their idols and fantasies. Going to locations that the Beatles or David Bowie not only visited but made iconic on album covers can bring fans closer to the ‘aura’ of these stars.”
For some, that aura has a life-changing impact, as some 12% even claim to have moved to a town or city purely because of its connection to a piece of media or culture they adore. One in 10 of respondents even named their child after a beloved character in a film, book, TV show or other piece of culture, and 13% used this as inspiration for naming their pet.
