North Yorkshire’s breathtaking landscapes and historic venues will take centre stage in a new tourism campaign aimed at attracting visitors to the county. The “Starring North Yorkshire” initiative will highlight the county’s strong connections to major films and TV shows, bringing attention to iconic locations featured in blockbuster movies and popular television series.
Visit North Yorkshire’s first marketing campaign of 2025 will shine a spotlight on North Yorkshire’s stunning settings, many of which have appeared in films such as the final Indiana Jones movie, the latest Mission Impossible, and the Netflix series The Witcher. The campaign also aims to showcase locations linked to classic TV shows like All Creatures Great and Small.
Tourism in North Yorkshire brings over £4 billion into the local economy each year, supporting 38,500 jobs. The new campaign, part of a strategy to boost the tourism sector, hopes to drive even more visitors to the county. Locations such as the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Fountains Abbey, and the famous Malham Cove have all featured in iconic films, from Harry Potter to Phantom Thread. In addition, Castle Howard, known for its role in Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton, has attracted a surge of visitors since its appearance in these beloved series.
Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, said: “Tourism is among the most important areas of North Yorkshire’s economy, and we are committed to ensuring we can boost the sector. The chance to highlight our links to film and TV is a prime example of how we can expand the market for visitors, benefiting our tourism businesses and the wider local economy.”
The campaign will complement Visit England’s Starring Great Britain initiative, promoting North Yorkshire’s film locations through social media and a new itinerary on the Visit North Yorkshire website, launching in the spring.
Research from Visit England shows that over 90% of inbound visitors are interested in visiting film and TV locations in the UK, with 70% of visitors having already visited a film or TV site in the UK. The impact of film tourism extends beyond simply attracting visitors, as it boosts revenue for local businesses and creates jobs in hospitality, retail, and the arts.
Caroline Cooper Charles, CEO of Screen Yorkshire, said: “Screen Tourism offers a unique opportunity to showcase Yorkshire to the world while directly contributing to the region’s economy and cultural pride. It’s a powerful example of how the creative industries can drive meaningful growth and deliver lasting value to our region.”
The new campaign is part of a broader effort to develop a 10-year tourism strategy for the county, with goals to increase the value of the visitor economy and attract more overnight visitors.
For more details about North Yorkshire’s stunning film locations and the new campaign, visit Visit North Yorkshire.
