Derbyshire Tourism to Rise with Latest Film – The Other Boleyn Girl

In the heart of the UK is a region of land that has been unspoilt and preserved, making it the ideal spot for movies that appeal to older folks. This year the Derbyshire’s Peak District is used in the film, The Other Boleyn Girl, starring Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn. This might cause a rise in tourism in the district as more travellers become aware of this hidden paradise.

The district has been a backdrop for a couple of movies over the year, set in the 18th Century, with its old estates and surrounding hills. In 2006, Derbyshire’s Peak District was the location for Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen. The estates used as film locations include the Chatsworth estate and the Haddon Hall.

This isn’t the first time Haddon Hall has seen cameras surrounding it. Last year the hall was a feature in the BBC TV program, Jane Eyre. It was also used in The Golden Age, the second of the Elizabeth I movies. The Golden Age stars Cate Blanchett.

The Other Boleyn Girl is based on an historic novel, written by Philippa Gregory. The novel revolves around the life of 16th Century aristocrat, Mary Boleyn. Although the book reviews received mixed acclaim, it has become successful with scattered high ratings since it was published in 2002. Following the success of The Other Boleyn Girl novel, four sequels have been written; The Queens Fool, The Virgin’s Lover, The Constant Princess and the Boleyn Inheritance.

The film is a dramatic love story, with miscommunications, rumours and deceptions that are played out between the characters. It tells a tale of two sisters who compete for the love of the King. Anne, played by Natalie Portman, and Mary, played by Scarlett Johansson, are driven by their family to seduce the King and to make him fall in love with them. King Henry VII, played by Eric Bana, ultimately sleeps with both sisters, but in the end chooses only one to be Queen. She sacrifices her life for the throne, while the other sister is forgotten. It is set to be released in March in the UK.

Derbyshire’s Peak District is a county in the East Midlands of England. The majority of the district’s national park lies within Derbyshire itself. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps the Pennines hills and mountains.

The district was the peak of population and popularity in the twelfth century. Today the buildings from that era still stand on their original estates, making the region full of historical heritage. The surrounding hills and planes maintain their original natural landscapes. The region hosts hikes, cycling, mountain biking and adventure sports such as rock climbing and hang-gliding, to name a few, for tourists to enjoy. The village holds a range of bed and breakfasts as well guest houses for visitors to stay in.

The country is famous for it's beauty, with old trees and fields of grass. There are old stone bridges built over brooks and streams, with classical black and white cows munching grass on the hills. The buildings are grand, and created with stones and large bay windows. On top of some of the roofs on the estates are turrets and sculptures, detailed to the Twelfth Century style. There is wonderful quaint village atmosphere around Derbyshire’s Peak District, with its cobble stone roads and wooden fences.

Films depicting the beautiful district on the big screen have contributed to a boost in the tourism industry. The landscape still maintains the beauty and simplicity of greenery from centuries ago, making it ideal not only for filmmakers, but also for tourists needing a bit of space and fresh air.

Celeste writes for Travel and Tourism News, which is a portal for all travel and tourism information.