We explore the most iconic TV locations to visit, perfect for the ultimate televisual obsessive to add to their travel bucket list.
CASTLE WARD
DESTINATION: County Down, Northern Ireland
TV SHOW: Game of Thrones
Known for its epic world-building and stunning visuals, HBO’s Game of Thrones set new standards for both scale and storytelling in the modern televisual landscape across its eight magnificent seasons.
Castle Ward in Northern Ireland is a must-visit for any fans of the show, allowing visitors to explore over 20 key filming locations, including the tower where young Bran Stark is shockingly pushed out the castle window in episode one, as well as the Winterfell Crypt, and the hall that hosted the iconically savage Red Wedding.
A host of medieval cities across Europe were also used to depict the range of kingdoms and varying locales of the show, including Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Seville, Spain, where you can visit the filming spots that were used to portray King’s Landing and the water gardens of Dorne.
HIGHCLERE CASTLE
DESTINATION: Hampshire, England
TV SHOW: Downton Abbey
Stretching over six seasons and even spawning two movie sequels, the British historical drama series, Downton Abbey, is a true titan of modern television.
Set on the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, between 1912 and 1926, the show illustrates the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants.
Viewers can visit the primary location itself, Highclere Castle, nestled in the Hampshire countryside, where tours and exhibitions celebrating the show are available for avid fans.
GREENWICH VILLAGE
DESTINATION: New York City, US
TV SHOW: Friends
While the iconic and enduringly popular sitcom, Friends, was primarily filmed in a studio in California, the exterior shots of Monica and Rachel’s six-story apartment building can be found by adoring fans in Greenwich Village, New York City, at 90 Bedford Street.
The quintessential location, ideal for a photo opportunity from street level, is seen in countless establishing shots throughout the show’s long and successful tenure.
A must for any TV locations bucket list, Greenwich Village is also home to the real restaurant that inspired the fictional coffee shop, Central Perk.
RANGER’S HOUSE
DESTINATION: Greenwich, London
TV SHOW: Bridgerton
Full of decadent dress, raunchy romance, and glamorous balls, Netflix’s Bridgerton is now one of the most popular shows of all time. From extravagant country houses to gorgeous parklands, there are several key locations for fans to visit.
The grand exterior of the Bridgerton family’s mansion is none other than Ranger’s House in Greenwich, London, which is open to the public when it’s not being used for filming.
An elegant Georgian villa on the boundary of Greenwich Park and Blackheath, inside, you can see The Wernher Collection, a world-class art collection amassed by the 19th-century businessman, Sir Julius Wernher.
TWEDE’S CAFE
DESTINATION: North Bend, Washington
TV SHOW: Twin Peaks
The cult classic television series created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks, set in the fictional town of the same name, was filmed primarily in the state of rural Washington, capturing the eerie and supernatural-filled qualities of the show.
One of the most iconic Twin Peaks sites sits under a giant neon sign in downtown North Bend at Twede’s Cafe, known as the Double R Diner in the world of the show. The famous eatery dishes up slices of cherry pie and cups of black coffee that the iconic main characters, such as FBI Agent Dale Cooper, are seen enjoying on-screen.
FOUR SEASONS RESORT MAUI AT WAILEA
DESTINATION: Maui, Hawaii
TV SHOW: The White Lotus
HBO’s hilarious and satirical first season of The White Lotus takes place at a fictional resort with the same name as the series, but was actually filmed at a Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Hawaii.
Costing a reported USD$180 million to construct, the real-life hotel is the epitome of decadence and luxury.
In an ongoing partnership with the show, season two was also filmed at Four Seasons Taormina San Domenico Palace in Sicily, Italy.
ALBERQUERQUE
DESTINATION: New Mexico, US
TV SHOW: Breaking Bad
The AMC hit series Breaking Bad is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where it was also filmed on location.
Collecting an incredible 16 Emmy Awards during its five-season run, the show is considered one of the best TV shows of all time.
Taking on the role of a further character in the show itself, such is the beloved fandom for the iconic locations, the metro Albuquerque area hosts countless recognisable scenes from the show, and the region offers many guided tours for visiting fans to enjoy.
The sights include Walter White’s suburban house, Saul Goodman’s office, the money laundering car wash, and a real-life restaurant called Twisters, which served as the show’s ‘Los Pollos Hermanos’ fried chicken diner.
