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Wiltshire Village Plays Starring Role In Movie Version Of War Horse
15 November 2011
The picturesque village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire is hoping that the release of movie War Horse will create added excitement around the region and draw in additional visitors, thanks to its starring role in the movie.
Castle Combe was used to film several scenes of War Horse and is clearly recognisable in the movie. It’s not the first time that the picturesque village has been used in films and David Andrews, chief executive of VisitWiltshire recognises the benefits to the tourism sector: “It is estimated that one of 10 of our overseas visitors come to Wiltshire as a result of having seen it on the big screen. The timing of the movie release is ideal as it will hopefully entice foreign visitors to Wiltshire when they are over here for the Olympics. Additionally with celebrity and film being big business in the UK we also expect more domestic visitors, indeed Wiltshire and the South-West has seen an increase of almost 10% on domestic visitors for the first quarter of 2011.”
He continues: “VisitWiltshire is currently looking into ways in which we can capitalise on this, including preparing an itinerary of places people can visit in the county where movies and dramas have been shot. With films having been made everywhere from Salisbury and Stonehenge to Swindon, Castle Combe and Lacock it’s a great opportunity to encourage visitors to get out and about around the entire county.”
War Horse, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring a host of British talent including Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch and Toby Kebbell, goes on general release on 13 January 2012. .
Parts of the movie were filmed in the picturesque Wiltshire village of Castle Combe where the village’s intense beauty and traditional character appealed to the creators of the film.
Castle Combe is frequently named the most picturesque village in England and with its character pubs, unique shops and acres of surrounding countryside, it’s not hard to see why.
DreamWorks Pictures’ “War Horse,” director Steven Spielberg’s epic adventure, is a tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War. This film is set to be one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated movie releases of early 2012.
During the filming of the movie members of the cast and crew stayed at The Manor House. Located in the centre of Castle Combe, this stunning country house hotel offers accommodation from £190 per room, per night including breakfast.
For more information about Castle Combe visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk. For reservations at the Manor House visit www.manorhouse.co.uk. For information and to see a trailer of the movie visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQMAtjB7frM
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For media information please contact Samantha Marsh or Ian Fulcher on 015395 30393, 07711 265666 or 07515 152699. Alternatively email samanthamarsh / ianfulcher@visitwiltshire.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- VisitWiltshire Ltd was established in August 2011 and is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire. It is a private sector membership organisation representing over 450 members. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates over £1billion and supports over 20,000 jobs.
- Media screenings of War Horse will be taking place during November & December 2011. To register your interest in receiving tickets please email Samantha Marsh at samanthamarsh@visitwiltshire.co.uk
- War Horse is the latest in a line of movies and TV dramas which have been filmed in Wiltshire including Harry Potter, Wolfman, Cranford, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Young Victoria.
- Media interested in setting up a visit to Castle Combe, Wiltshire or the Manor House should contact Samantha Marsh or Ian Fulcher on 015395 30393, 07711 265666 or email samanthamarsh / ianfulcher@visitwiltshire.co.uk
- Movie and TV highlights from Wiltshire include:
Ø Blackadder (1980s) – Infamous BBC comedy filmed at Wilton House
Ø Cranford(2007) – popular BBC drama filmed in Lacock
Ø Larkrise to Candleford (2008/2009) – Following on from the success of Cranford this new BBC drama was filmed in various locations in Wiltshire including Box, Corsham and Lacock
Ø Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince (2009, July release) - Newest instalment of the wizard movie, filmed in Lacock & Lacock Abbey
Ø Pride & Prejudice (1995) – Television version of the Jane Austin classic, filmed in Lacock and Chippenham
Ø Stardust (2007) – Fantasy drama partly shot in Castle Combe
Ø Tess of the D’Urbervilles (2008) – Television drama shot in numerous locations throughout Wiltshire including Chippenham, Corsham, Lacock, Marlborough, Lacock, Great Chalfield, Kington St Michael and Stonehenge
Ø The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) – Filmed at Lacock Abbey
Ø The Spire (2010) - Drama about a obsessive dean’s quest to build the land’s tallest spire. Filmed at Salisbury Cathedral
Ø The Wolfman (2010)- Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Sir Antony Hopkins lead the cast in a movie about a man bitten and cursed by a werewolf. Filmed in Castle Combe
Ø The Young Victoria (2009) –This tale of a young Queen Victoria stars Emily Blunt, Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson and Rupert Friend. Filmed at Wilton House
Ø War Horse (2011) – Movie about a young boy and his horse starring Benedict Cumberbatch and directed by Steven Spielberg. Filmed in Castle Combe.
