From the iconic colleges of Oxford University to the beautiful countryside we call home, there are an abundance of film locations within Oxfordshire. 

Our county has seen plenty of A-listers come and go such as Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks and Pierce Brosnan. Here are some of the biggest blockbusters: 

1. Harry Potter saga, 2001-2011

Director: David Yates, Mike Newell,  Alfonso Cuarón, Chris Columbus 

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Oxfordshire location: Oxford

The Harry Potter saga was filmed in a variety of locations in and around Oxford, including New College and the Divinity School (which was used for the Hogwarts infirmary). However, it’s the stunning use of Christ Church’s vast Hall as the Hogwarts Great Hall that is best remembered.

2.  The Golden Compass, 2007

In a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organisation.

Director:  Chris Weitz

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards

Oxfordshire location: Exeter College

The Golden Compass, based on Northern Lights, the first novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy by Oxford graduate Philip Pullman, is set partly in a fantastical, otherworldly version of Oxford. The fictional Jordan College was modelled on Exeter College and many scenes were filmed there.

3. Jane Eyre, 2011

Oxford Mail:

A mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer soon discovers that he's hiding a terrible secret.

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell

Oxfordshire location: Banbury

Jane Eyre was filmed in Derbyshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. The scenes in Oxford were the crew filmed ‘Lowood School’ is Broughton Castle near Banbury in Oxfordshire.

4. Saving Private Ryan

Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

Director:  Steven Spielberg

Starring:  Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Oxfordshire location: Thame

The skirmish with the German machine-gun nest, and the ambush of the half-track vehicle, were filmed on the grounds of Thame Park. The Chapel in the grounds of Thame Park was also used for the ‘French’ church where the American soldiers rest overnight.

5. Made of Honor, 2008

A guy in love with an engaged woman tries to win her over after she asks him to be her maid of honor.

Director:  Paul Weiland

Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd 

Oxfordshire location: Banbury

The main hall of Hannah’s wealthy fiane Colin (Kevin McKidd), is located in Broughton Hall just outside of Oxfordshire. 

6. Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2014 

Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to help the Mad Hatter.

Director: James Bobin

Starring:  Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter 

Oxfordshire location: Chipping Norton

The external shots of the Ascot Mansion that also turns out to be a gateway into Wonderland was Ditchley Park. The house was Winston Churchill’s country retreat of choice during the Second World War.

7. Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997

James Bond sets out to stop a media mogul's plan to induce war between China and the U.K in order to obtain exclusive global media coverage.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh

Oxfordshire location: New College

When Bond visits Oxford Professor, Inga Bergstrom, the location is set and filmed within New College. 

8. A Clockwork Orange, 1971 

In the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.

Director:  Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates |

Oxfordshire location: Shipton-under-Wychwood

The ‘New House’ is filmed at 4 Church Street in Shipton Shipton-under-Wychwood.

9. The Fourth Protocol, 1987

John Preston is a British Agent with the task of preventing the Russians detonating a nuclear explosion next to an American base in the UK. The Russians are hoping this will shatter the "special relationship" between the two countries.

Director:  John Mackenzie

Starring:  Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Ned Beatty 

Oxfordshire location: Upper Heyford

RAF Upper Heyford, near Bicester, featured in the film as RAF Bayswater

10. Children of Men, 2006

In 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have become somehow infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea.

Director:  Alfonso Cuarón

Starring:  Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Oxfordshire location: Upper Heyford

Also filmed in RAF Upper Heyford was Children of Men which featured as an apartment block in the film.