Wiltshire and its towns have been the filming location for several famous movies over the years.

From battling wizards to warring soldiers and top secret spies, the southern county has seen it all in the last century.

As Christmas approaches and we find ourselves watching more and more television and films inside to keep entertained and warm, why not watch something that was filmed on your doorstep.

We have compiled the ultimate list of famous movies filmed in Wiltshire for your Christmas viewing pleasure:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

What would Christmas be without a Harry Potter marathon? The boy wizard’s second outing carried a darker tone to the first, but still provides that magical, whimsical feeling which perfectly complements the festive season.

Wiltshire was used as a filming location for the fantasy film as the hushed classroom where Harry speaks parseltongue was filmed at the Chapter House of Lacock Abbey and the corridor outside is the Abbey’s Cloister.

Additionally, although not in Wiltshire, nearby Gloucester Cathedral was also used for Hogwarts’ corridors in the film, including where the iconic haunting message, painted in blood, was written that warned pupils and staff of the chamber opening.

Swindon Advertiser: This famous scene was filmed in the corridors of Gloucester Cathedral.This famous scene was filmed in the corridors of Gloucester Cathedral. (Image: Warner Bros.)

1917 (2019)

Ditching the magic and whimsy of Hogwarts for the pain and reality of war, the next film on the list is one of the most recent to have been filmed in Wiltshire. Sam Mendes’ war epic, 1917, wowed audiences back in 2019, going on to claim two Oscars.

The film tells the story of a pair of young British soldiers crossing the in World War One to reach a senior officer and stop a dangerous attack from happening that will affect the lives of hundreds of soldiers.

Wiltshire featured heavily in the film as Salisbury Plain was used to play northern France in the film. Six different film locations were used in the 300-square-mile area. The iconic tunnel scene was filmed in a barn at Salisbury Plain and a farmhouse near to the village of Shrewton was also used.

Swindon Advertiser: Many scenes from 1917 were shot within Wiltshire.Many scenes from 1917 were shot within Wiltshire. (Image: Universal Pictures)

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

On a lighter note to the gritty realism of our previous entry, the next movie on the list features the most famous spy in the world, who happened to be doing some espionage in Wiltshire. None other than James Bond came to the county in the 1990s.

Pierce Brosnan’s third outing as Bond following the success of Goldeneye sees him unravel a scheme to increase petroleum prices by triggering a nuclear meltdown in the waters of Istanbul.

Despite being a major Hollywood production, Swindon was chosen as one of the several filming locations when the film was being made. Groundwell’s old Motorola HQ was set as a Turkish oil refinery, giving the Wiltshire town a memorable cameo.

Swindon Advertiser: Pierce Brosnan's third appearance as James Bond featured the use of a Swindon building disguised as a Turkish oil refinery. Pierce Brosnan's third appearance as James Bond featured the use of a Swindon building disguised as a Turkish oil refinery. (Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Returning to the whimsical nature of fantasy fiction, another classic film that is perfect o watch when wrapped up warm at Christmas is The Princess Diaries starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews.

The coming of age film follows a shy American teenager (Hathaway) who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a European kingdom. The young royal must decide whether to claim the throne she has inherited or renounce the title.

Most of this Disney film was filmed over in the States in San Francisco but the fictional European state of Genovia, which Hathaway’s character is due to rule, was actually filmed in Wiltshire, with Longford Castle used as a primary shooting spot.

Swindon Advertiser: The fictional state of Genovia, featured in The Princess Diaries, was brought to life in Wiltshire.The fictional state of Genovia, featured in The Princess Diaries, was brought to life in Wiltshire. (Image: Walt Disney Pictures)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

We have chosen to end the list as we started it with Harry Potter as what would Christmas truly be without at least a couple of films featuring Daniel Radcliffe’s famous boy wizard, with many people being of the opinion that the magic movies are Christmas canon.

This later instalment of the series, the sixth of eight films in total, takes a much darker tone to its predecessors as Harry discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and finally begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's past.

Wiltshire was once again selected as a filming spot to bring the wizarding world to life with the village of Lacock being used as the location of Professor Slughorn’s house, where Dumbledore takes Harry. This can be seen on the west side of Chapel Hill near Church Street.

Swindon Advertiser: The house of Professor Slughorn is located within Wiltshire.The house of Professor Slughorn is located within Wiltshire. (Image: Warner Bros.)