AN ICONIC rail attraction in Scotland has been named the country's best film location by holidaymakers.
The news will come as no surprise to Harry Potter fans, who have long been making the pilgrimage to the Highlands to see it in person.
Research from Virgin Media O2 revealed the nation's best-loved film locations, with the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands bagging the top spot.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland train line in Scotland.
Located at the head of Loch Shiel, the Scottish viaduct stretches for more than 20 miles.
The UK landmark featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and Ron were caught flying a Ford Anglia onto the train tracks.
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Other TV shows and movies have also been filmed at the famous viaduct, including Monarch of the Glen and the Ring of Bright Water.
But holidaymakers typically flock to the viaduct to watch the "Hogwarts Express" chugging along the track.
An estimated 500,000 tourists swamp the West Highland village each year, with people living near the Glenfinnan Viaduct saying they were overwhelmed by a recent boost in visitor numbers.
The historic carriages transport sightseers to Mallaig, Fort William, and over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
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It is frequently described as the "greatest journey in the world" and anyone lucky enough to get a seat on the train has to make bookings months in advance.
But the much-loved train journeys could come to an end over new safety rules.
This is due to an issue with the old train's door locks, which put passengers at risk of "falling out" as well as another problem concerned with people leaning out of windows.
While holidaymakers might not be able to board the magical Hogwarts Express in the future, visitors can still flock to the Scottish viaduct to watch other trains pass by.
According to another survey, the viaduct is the second-best Harry Potter tourist location, with the Warner Bros. Studios in Hertfordshire taking the top spot.
There are plenty of other spots across the UK that have been used to film Hollywood blockbusters and hit TV shows over the years.
Set in Yorkshire, Aysgarth Falls is a three-tiered natural water feature that was visited by historical figures like William Wordsworth.
The waterfalls also provided a dramatic setting for a scene from the Hollywood movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Meanwhile, a train station in the West Midlands was used as a filming location for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.
The film, which follows Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) and the IMF as they hunt down a terrifying new weapon, was shot in an empty John Lewis department store inside Birmingham New Street Station.
This cave in Wales had a starring role in The Dark Knight Rises.
Meanwhile, these UK locations have all featured in Disney movies.
Favourite film locations in the UK
- Glennfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands
- Highclere Castle, Hampshire
- Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
- The Notting Hill Bookshop, London
- Honeysuckle Cottage, Surrey
- Royal Liver Building, Pier Head, Liverpool
- The Duke of Albany, New Cross, London
- St Ann’s, Nottingham
- Piccadilly Circus, London
- Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
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