Check Out These UK Star Wars Filming Locations

In light of the recent filming of the Disney+ series Andor, in Lancashire and at a quarry in Dorset, BBC’s Newsround looks at the various Star Wars filming locations around the UK.

Where in the UK has Star Wars filmed before?

Star Wars has used several UK locations to film in the past, including the famous Pinewood studios in Buckinghamshire, the home of lots of famous movies such as James Bond.

Meanwhile the Scottish highlands are rumoured to be the location of some new Star Wars films due to come out in 2023.

But for now, here are some other outdoor locations from the nine Star Wars movies and their spin-offs to date.

Some you can actually go and visit, or maybe try and spot them in the films the next time you watch.

1. The Lake District, Cumbria

The Millenium Falcon over Derwentwater in the Lake District.

Cumbria’s lakes and fells are used as the setting of the planet Takodana in The Force Awakens.

Home to Han Solo’s friend Maz Kanata, the action shows the Millennium Falcon sweeping over Derwentwater near Keswick.

Another scene shows X-wings flying over another Lake District lake, Thirlmere as they prepare to attack the First Order.

2. Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire

Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire.

Puzzlewood, in the Forest of Dean, was another location used in the The Force Awakens.

Also on the planet of Takodana. After Maz Kanata’s castle is attacked by the First Order, Rey and BB-8 can be seen running through the magical forest of Puzzlewood, before meeting Kylo Ren for the first time.

The ancient woodlands were also used for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and are thought to be the original inspiration for Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings.

3. Whippendell Woods, near London

Whippendell Wood.

Whippendell woods is known for its impressive displays of bluebells, but this wood, near Watford, was also used for the forests of Naboo in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

It’s also the location where Obi-wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn first meet Jar-Jar Binks.

4. Canary Wharf Tube Station, London

Canary Wharf station.

Of all the locations, this one is probably visited the most often and without lots of people ever realising they’re walking through a Star Wars set.

Although a London tube station isn’t the most glamorous of locations, the Canary Wharf station was used in Rogue One as the Imperial Base on the planet of Scarif.

When Jyn, Cassian, and K-2SO are disguised as Imperial officers, they are in fact walking through the underground station.

Canary Wharf station used in Rogue One.

Canary Wharf station was used to film scenes in Rogue One. You can see how they’ve changed the escalators in this scene.

5. Skellig Michael, Ireland

Skellig Michael in Ireland.

Ok, this is just outside of the UK, but it’s a pretty epic location! Skellig Michael in Ireland, otherwise known as Luke Skywalker’s deserted hideaway, Ahch-To.

Before the coronavirus lockdowns the island saw a big increase in tourism, with concerns about the environmental impact. Located there is a Gaelic monastery with beehive huts, founded by monks in the sixth century. The island is also a protected world heritage site.

It’s also the home to lots of wildlife, including puffins, which were the inspiration for the Star Wars creatures known as Porgs.

SOURCEBBC Newsround
James Burns
James is an active member of the Star Wars collecting community, and is the Brand Director for Jedi News. James is also the host of the Star Wars Collectors Cast, and co-host of RADIO 1138 on the Jedi News Network.