Film locations boost tourism

British tourism has enjoyed a huge boost from a rise in visits to film and TV show locations, says a report.

Film and tourism bodies identified increased visits to the settings of productions including The Da Vinci Code and Gosford Park and TV's Balamory.

The Harry Potter films led to a 120% rise in visitors to Northumberland's Alnwick Castle, and had brought about £9m worth of tourism to the region. The Harry Potter series is thought to have brought about £9m in tourist revenue to Northumberland.

The strongest pull on tourists is from locations set at stately homes, historic and religious sites, and rural or village landscapes.

John Woodward, chief executive of the UK Film Council, said: "British films and television programmes play a powerful role in showcasing the UK to the rest of the world and boosting tourism. There are countless examples of visitors flocking to locations they've seen in films or on TV and the effect can last for years."