James Bond in the Lake District

The next James Bond to be filmed in the Lake District… maybe?

No time to... wait.

Way back in April we were all waiting in anticipation for the release of the new James Bond film, it got us thinking about what breath taking locations will feature in No Time To Die. After a quick google search we discovered that Scotland was set to feature on the big screen again, who can forget the explosive scene in Skyfall?

After months and months of waiting, we can’t wait anymore, have a read to see why the Lake District is the perfect location for the next Bond film.

James Bond in the Lake District?

Naturally, this got us thinking of why the Lake District would be the perfect back drop for the next 007 masterpiece…

Location, Location, Location

From the shores of Lake Garda to the Austrian Alps, a stunning backdrop is essential for Mr Bond’s action packed lifestyle. We’ve put together a few of our favourite locations, and what could be filmed there:

A boat chase on Coniston Water

Found in the western lakes, and still relatively untouched by tourism, the wilderness of the Coniston valley shouts ‘James Bond location’. Picture Bond being chased up the lake, the camera pans out and the Old Man of Coniston fills the shot, with the Langdale Pikes standing tall beyond, are you there? Imagine the same scene in the winter when the snow topped mountains are glistening in the sun, they are enough to challenge any alpine location. Coniston Water also comes with pedigree similar to 007 himself; as the home of Bluebird, the lake is used to high speed chases throughout the years, right up until today with the annual speed week.

A nail biting car chase through the Honister Pass

Amazing cars are synonymous with James Bond, every film lives or dies by its car chase. We have plenty of stunning mountain passes in the Lake District which would be perfect for that memorable scene, but we’ve chosen the Honister Pass for the next Bond. Picture this, a secret meeting in the slate mine unearths the next criminal mastermind who must be stopped, cue the car chase… Bond chases the villain down the slate tracks and on to the road, they take a left and pass through the iconic Honister Statues, the chase carries on down the windy roads; be careful not to end up in the river James!

The rebirth of the amphibious car

A car chase where the next 007 evades capture by driving his amphibious car along Coniston Water, why not. Do you remember the old Lotus from The Spy Who Loved Me?

A moment of cinematic history that we could easily recreate in Coniston. Elon Musk has hit the headlines again with his new Cybertruck, he’s said the styling was inspired by the great 007 Lotus Esprit which Roger Moore launched off a jetty. This got us thinking, Coniston Water has a history of pushing the impossible, perhaps this decade could see the first underwater Tesla being launched at Coniston Boating Centre. In a world that’s going all electric, anything is possible right?

A house to die for

We all know how well connected Mr Bond is, whether it’s a beautiful estate in Scotland, or a stunning mansion in the Italian lakes, every Bond film features amazing buildings. If it’s a British stately home he’s after then look no further than Silverholme on the Graythwaite Estate. This Georgian manor house sits on the shores of Lake Windermere, with a drive way fit for his Aston Martin, enough grounds for his helicopter to land and a boat house for his speed boat, we believe James Bond would be quite comfortable here.

Perhaps 007 is looking for a hiding pace after escaping the villains on the Honister pass? We’d recommend The Boathouse on the Lingholm Estate. Right on the shores of Derwent water he can see his enemies coming from afar, and with dense woodland on the other side there are plenty of opportunities to escape.

A meeting place where no one will find you

Whether James Bond needs to collect that ‘under the radar’ tech from Q, or a villain needs to hand over that suspicious package, we have a location you probably don’t know exists.

That’s right, the clock tower in the Moot Hall is the perfect James Bond location. Located in the centre of Keswick, downstairs you’ll find a Lake District National Park Information Centre, the perfect cover for a secret suspicious meeting…

A quintessential gentleman?

Car chase, tick, amazing backdrop, tick, luxury is next on the list. A man like James Bond wines and dines in the finest restaurants, and stays in gorgeous hotels, luckily we have plenty to choose from in the Lake District. For afternoon tea with Miss Moneypenny we’d pick The Gaddum, he can indulge on beautiful, locally sourced, creations by Head Chef Gerald van der Walt and his team. For the ‘this might be the last meal’ we’d head to The Samling, where even the views looking south along Lake Windermere aren’t enough to take your eyes away from the sublime food. For the ultimate James Bond hideaway we’d choose Brimstone in the Langdales; a Lakeland hotel surrounded by woodland, nestled in the Langdale valley – quite possibly the most picturesque mountain scape in the Lake District National Park.

Fancy being an extra?

Do you want to be involved in the next James Bond when it’s shot in the lakes?*

If so, you’re going to need to get yourself in to training. ‘Where can I train to be James Bond?’ I hear the voice in your head saying, look no further than the Lake District!

You want to be part of the boat chase scene at Coniston Boating Centre? Good choice, come and see us and we’ll teach you how to drive a speed boat like Mr Bond himself. If you’re feeling more adventurous why not learn to kayak or paddle board? This way you’ll be able to spot yourself when you make your big screen debut!

All bond films feature shoot outs, head over to Brockhole on Windermere and have a go on their laser lay shooting range, this way you can get your eye in for when 007 needs your help. Brockhole on Windermere also hosts archery sessions, a skill required by ever double ‘O’.

Mountain experts will also be essential for the success of a James Bond filmed in the Lake District. If you’re up for the challenge then sign up to one of the Winter Skills courses run by the Lake District National Park.

For those of you wanting to go above and beyond (quite literally), how does paragliding sound? With the stunning valleys of the lakes to soar over, there is no better place to learn. Air ventures will be happy to help. Plus, even if you don’t feature in the next film, you will feel like James Bond for a day anyway!

* Ok, so we’re not certain of this yet, but after reading this surely there is a strong case?

Have you got any more ideas?

Tell us your top location ideas to build a case for the next James Bond to be filmed right here in the Lake District. Use the comments box below and we’ll be sure to pass them on to the Producers once they’ve launched No Time To Die (we’re pretty sure they’ll see this blog if we share it enough?!).