The beautiful scenery of the New Forest has been captured over the years on both film and TV. It’s no wonder really that for many years our countryside, villages and even some of our industrial features have been captured on screen.
Take a look below as we describe some of our TV and film appearances, have you seen any of these?
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
One of the New Forest’s most recent appearances was in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation with Tom Cruise. Filming took place at Fawley Power Station. The Power Station provided both internal and external shots that double as a Moroccan security facility where Ethan (Tom Cruise) dives into a giant water-cooled server and holds his breath for 6 minutes. Cruise is famously known for doing his own stunts so it’s exciting to know he was involved in the action here in the New Forest!
Solo: A Star Wars Story
The Solo cast were also spotted filming in 2017 at Fawley Power Station, in the New Forest. Surrounded by props, costumes and set pieces such as Stormtroopers and CGI Screens.
In fact, the film's opening scene which involves a highspeed chase between Han Solo and Qu’ra was filmed here at Fawley Power Station.
The Crown
Part of season 3 of The Crown was filmed down Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and at Rhinefield House Hotel, where stars such as Helena Bonham-Carter and Olivia Coleman filmed over two and a half days.
As well as this, Somerley House in Ringwood was one of the filming locations for season 5 of The Crown, too!
Great Expectations
Part of this popular series was filmed at Bucklers Hard, where this historic village and Beaulieu River were transformed into Dickensian Doubles.
Unforgotten
The second series of this high class murder mystery TV series used Lymington as the scene of the main crime and the location of many interview & exterior shots.
A Year in the New Forest
This four-part channel 4 TV series aired in summer 2018 and focussed on some of the individuals that live here in the New Forest as well as an insight into some of the fascinating nature that we have to offer.
The Famous Five
Filmed between 1978-1979, Enid Blyton’s ‘The Famous Five’ was filmed in part within The New Forest. Exbury Gardens was used as one of the main locations and also featured were Burley, Lepe and Exbury village.
The Brittas Empire
This popular 90s sitcom focused on fictional Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre, which was in fact Ringwood Leisure Centre! Although most of the series was filmed in a studio, outdoor shots were filmed at the Leisure Centre and several scenes were in Ringwood town centre as well. In 2017, the cast reunited to reopen the Leisure Centre after its refurbishment work.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The New Forest saw Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman galloping on horseback through what is now a beautiful 4.5mile walk and campsite with frequent deer spotting opportunities in Fritham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, over 50% of the films exterior shots were filmed in the New Forest.
The Infiltrator
The Beaulieu River and surroundings double as Miami in 2016 film ‘The Infiltrator’. Staring Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) this thrilling true-to-life story follows federal agent Robert Mazur undercover in Colombia.
Children of the New Forest
Breamore House, which has been used as a film location for several film and TV dramas, was the main filming location for 1977’s ‘Children of the New Forest’. The 1998 film remake was also filmed here in the New Forest.
The Gadget Show
This popular TV show filmed one of its 2017 episodes here in The New Forest.
A Man for All Seasons
The River Thames was in fact the Beaulieu River for this 1966 film.
Worzel Gummidge
Most of this famous TV show (when it was located in UK) was filmed at nearby Braishfield and Stockbridge, Romsey, some of this TV show was filmed at our lovely Exbury Gardens and also parts of Lymington.
Finally…
Famous cars from TV and film can be found in the 'On Screen Cars' exhibition at The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. This ever changing display currently includes Mr Bean's Mini, a Jaguar from the Bond film 'Die Another Day' and Doctor Who's much-loved car Bessie.
