Exclusive: Iconic UK Film Sets Open for Free During National Lottery Week
Film and television aficionados across the United Kingdom have a unique opportunity to step directly into the worlds of their favourite productions. During National Lottery Open Week, running from 7 to 15 March 2026, a curated selection of twenty iconic filming locations will grant free entry to visitors who present any National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard, or Instant Win Game.
The Rise of Set-Jetting in British Travel Culture
The travel trend known as "set-jetting," where fans visit real-life filming locations, has become firmly embedded in British culture over the past two decades. This phenomenon has accelerated significantly in recent years, with audiences increasingly seeking out the period drama estates, gritty urban backdrops, and dramatic landscapes featured on both the big and small screens. The United Kingdom, with its diverse architecture and scenery, has emerged as a premier global hotspot for this immersive form of tourism.
Explore the World of Regency Romance and Brummy Grit
For devotees of Netflix's global sensation Bridgerton, several National Trust properties that served as key locations are participating in the free entry scheme. From 7 to 14 March, fans can wander through Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire, which was transformed into London's Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens for the series' iconic outdoor ball. Basildon Park in Berkshire, featured as the Featherington family garden, and Osterley Park in London, the setting for the lavish Full Moon Ball, are also accessible. Additionally, Petworth House in West Sussex and the newly featured Ham House in London, which doubles as Bridgerton House in season four, offer a glimpse into the opulent Regency world.
Fans of the gritty Birmingham-based drama Peaky Blinders can visit three National Trust properties that provided atmospheric backdrops for the Shelby family saga. Wightwick Manor in the West Midlands, Speke Hall in Liverpool, and Calke Abbey in Derbyshire will be open from 7 to 14 March. Notably, Calke Abbey is reported to play a key role in the new Peaky Blinders film scheduled for release in March 2026.
Blockbuster Landscapes and Small-Screen Classics
The free entry initiative extends to locations featured in recent award-winning films and other beloved television series. The dramatic Glencoe National Nature Reserve in Scotland, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, served as the rugged setting for the nine-time Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and has previously appeared in Harry Potter and Skyfall. The Weir Garden in Herefordshire, which doubled as Shakespearean England in the Oscar-nominated Hamnet, is open from 7 to 14 March.
For enthusiasts of the financial drama Industry, the stately homes used for the Muck family residence are available to explore. Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire provided the baroque exterior, while Tredegar House in Newport supplied the lavish interiors seen in seasons three and four.
Time-travelling epic Outlander fans can visit multiple National Trust for Scotland properties, including Preston Mill, Culross Palace, and Falkland Palace, open from 7 to 15 March.
Step Into British Film History
The offer also includes locations from classic British films. Snowshill Manor in Gloucestershire, featured in Bridget Jones's Diary, embodies the quintessential English countryside and is open from 7 to 14 March. Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, whose cloisters famously doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, is accessible during the same period.
Other notable participating venues include the Eden Project in Cornwall, transformed into a villain's ice palace for Die Another Day; Brodsworth Hall and Gardens in South Yorkshire, used for a pivotal scene in Darkest Hour; Dover Castle in Kent, the setting for the opening battle in Avengers: Age of Ultron; and Eltham Palace in London, which appeared as a chocolatier's home in Wonka. These English Heritage sites have specific free entry dates on 7–8 March and 11–15 March.
Exclusive Tours and Special Offers
Beyond free entry, National Lottery Open Week features exclusive experiences. A highlight is the National Lottery exclusive Tower Tour at Insole Court in Cardiff from 13 to 15 March. This Grade II* listed Victorian mansion, a filming location for Industry and Doctor Who, will open its Victorian tower to the public for the very first time, offering guided climbs and unprecedented views of Cardiff.
Additionally, the Chiltern Open Air Museum in Buckinghamshire is offering a two-for-one entry deal from 7 to 15 March. This museum, familiar from Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife, regularly transforms its historic buildings into period village streets and estates.
How to Access the Free Entry and Offers
National Lottery Open Week runs from 7 to 15 March 2026. To unlock free entry or special offers at the hundreds of participating venues across the UK, visitors simply need to present any retail or online National Lottery ticket, including those for Lotto, EuroMillions, Set For Life, or Thunderball, or any National Lottery Scratchcard or Instant Win Game. Full booking details, a complete list of participating venues, and terms and conditions are available on the official National Lottery Open Week website.
This initiative provides a remarkable chance for the public to connect with the cinematic and televisual heritage of the UK, exploring the very landscapes and interiors that have captivated audiences worldwide.
