Story Travel: Film Locations, Literary Sites and Historic Places in Ireland and the UK
Travel is not just about where you go. It is about the stories behind each place. Across Ireland and the United Kingdom, landscapes, cities, and historic sites have inspired writers, shaped history, and brought unforgettable films and television series to life.
This guide brings together the best film locations, literary travel destinations, and historic storytelling sites you can visit in Ireland and the UK. It is designed to help you turn inspiration into a real journey, whether you are planning a themed itinerary or simply exploring ideas.
I have visited these locations across Ireland and the UK, from standing beneath Ben Bulben at the grave of W. B. Yeats to exploring filming sites along the Wild Atlantic Way and historic landmarks linked to the suffragette movement and witch trials. My background in feminist literature and history also informs this guide, particularly in areas such as folklore, witchcraft, and women’s history.
Unlike generic lists, this page focuses on real, visitable places with cultural context and travel insight, so you can plan a meaningful trip, not just read about one.
- Film Locations
- Literary Travel
- History & Culture
- Folklore
- Story Travel: Film Locations, Literary Sites and Historic Places in Ireland and the UK
- Start Here: Best Story Travel Experiences
- Famous Film and TV Locations in Ireland and the UK
- Literary Travel Destinations in Ireland and the UK
- Historic Sites, Feminist History and Cultural Travel
- Irish Folklore, Myth and Witchcraft Sites
- Plan Your Story Travel Itinerary
- Frequently Asked Questions About Story Travel
- Start Exploring Story Travel
Start Here: Best Story Travel Experiences
If you are new to story travel, begin with these standout experiences:
- Walk the Skellig Michael coastline featured in Star Wars
- Explore Northern Ireland’s dramatic Game of Thrones landscapes
- Visit Drumcliffe in Sligo, where Yeats is buried beneath Ben Bulben
- Discover the Yorkshire moors that inspired Wuthering Heights
These destinations combine strong storytelling with unforgettable scenery and are some of the most rewarding places to visit in Ireland and the UK.
Famous Film and TV Locations in Ireland and the UK
From global blockbusters to period dramas, these guides take you to real filming locations you can visit, with practical travel context and inspiration.
Star Wars in Ireland Itinerary: Ahch-To Travel Guide
Plan a detailed route covering filming locations, coastal drives, and hidden stops from the Inishowen Peninsula to Valentia Island.
Where Was Vikings Filmed? 30 Real Locations You Can Visit
Explore Ireland’s landscapes that brought Kattegat and Viking worlds to life.
Game of Thrones Filming Locations: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Visit iconic locations across Northern Ireland, Iceland, Croatia, and Spain.
Game of Thrones Tour of Doors
Scattered across Northern Ireland, the carved doors inspired by Game of Thrones transform ordinary pubs into storytelling spaces, each panel capturing key moments from the series.
Filmed in Ireland: Epic Movies Shot in Stunning Locations
A broader look at film and TV locations across Ireland.
Bridgerton Filming Locations: See the Show’s Iconic Spots
Step into Regency England through grand estates and historic towns.
Downton Abbey Filming Locations
Explore the real-life settings behind one of Britain’s most famous series.
Highclere Castle Guide: Downton Abbey Filming Site
Plan your visit to one of the most recognisable stately homes in England.
Things to Do in Notting Hill: Markets, Film Spots and Hidden Gems
Combine film locations with local culture in one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods.
Literary Travel Destinations in Ireland and the UK
These guides explore the landscapes that inspired great writers and continue to draw visitors today.
A Literary Tour of Ireland: Famous Writers and Key Sites
Follow the trail of Irish writers across Dublin, Sligo, and beyond.
A Literary Pilgrimage: Visiting the Grave of W.B. Yeats, Sligo
Visit Drumcliffe and experience the landscape that shaped Yeats’ work.
Wuthering Heights and Brontë Country Travel Guide
Explore Haworth and the Yorkshire moors that inspired one of literature’s most enduring novels.
Historic Sites, Feminist History and Cultural Travel
Story travel also includes real lives and movements that shaped history. These guides focus on places connected to women’s history, social change, and ancient landscapes.
Historic Women of Ireland: 19 Powerful Figures Who Shaped Irish History
Discover influential women from mythology to modern history.
Walk the Suffragette Trail: Historic Feminist Sites in the UK
Visit key locations linked to the suffragette movement in cities like London and Manchester.
Ancient Ireland: Sacred Sites, Druids and Prehistoric History
Explore stone circles, sacred ring forts and early Irish history.
Irish Folklore, Myth and Witchcraft Sites
Ireland’s storytelling tradition is deeply tied to its landscape. These guides focus on mythology, folklore, and the history of witchcraft in Ireland and the UK, supported by academic study and historical context.
Irish Legends and Folklore: Gods, Heroes and Dark Creatures
Explore mythological figures, ancient stories, and their real-world locations.
Irish Witches: Folklore, Trials and Butter Witches
Understand the cultural history of witchcraft in Ireland and its regional traditions.
Irish Fairies: Folklore and Fairy Gardens in Ireland
Visit places connected to fairy lore and long-standing beliefs.
Witch Trials in the UK: Haunting History and Must-Visit Sites
Explore locations tied to witch trials across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Plan Your Story Travel Itinerary
Story travel works best when you connect multiple locations into a single journey.
You might choose to:
- Follow a film route along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
- Plan a literary itinerary through Dublin and Ireland’s Ancient East or Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
- Combine folklore, history, and landscapes into one trip
- Explore filming locations across Northern Ireland and England
By linking places through theme, you create a deeper and more memorable travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Story Travel
What is story travel?
Story travel is visiting real places connected to books, films, television, history, or folklore. It allows you to experience destinations through the stories they inspired or represent.
Where are the best film locations to visit in Ireland?
Some of the most popular include Skellig Michael for Star Wars and Northern Ireland locations used in Game of Thrones.
What are the top literary destinations in Ireland?
Sligo, Dublin, and the west of Ireland are key locations associated with writers like Yeats and Joyce.
Can you visit real Game of Thrones locations?
Yes, many filming locations in Northern Ireland are accessible and form part of popular travel routes.
Is Ireland good for folklore and myth-based travel?
Ireland is one of the best destinations for folklore, with sites linked to legends, fairies, and ancient mythology across the country.
Start Exploring Story Travel
From dramatic coastlines and historic cities to ancient sites and literary landscapes, story travel offers a deeper way to experience Ireland and the UK.
Use this guide as your starting point and explore the real places behind the stories.
Start Planning Your Trip
👉 Public Transportation in Ireland
👉 Hidden Gems in Ireland – 32 Secret places to visit
👉 Answering all your travel questions about Ireland
👉What to pack for your Ireland trip
👉 Northern Ireland Public Transportation
If Yorkshire’s on your route, start with the Yorkshire Travel Guide for the wider picture before diving into individual stops.This is just one part of a much bigger country see the full England Travel Guide for everywhere else worth building into your trip, and my United Kingdom travel Guide for a broader picture of the whole country. Explore more of the region with guides to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. If you are a foodie take a look at my Global Food Guide.