The UK is known to have produced some of the world’s greatest talents, from authors to athletes, and the South West is a hotspot for some of Britain’s most recognisable faces. You might be surprised to discover that some of the world’s greatest names grew up just down the road from you.
Fans of Thomas Hardy will know that ‘Wessex’ is based entirely on the South Western region of England, so it’s perhaps no surprise that so many famous faces descend from the area!
If you’re looking for a different way to explore the UK, and have already worked through our Literary Hotspots list, allow the appeal of celebrity to inspire your next trip onboard with South Western Railway.
London
It’s no surprise that our capital inspires people to seek a career in the limelight. From Charlie Chaplin to Elizabeth Taylor, many stars started out in this thriving city of creativity.
Back in the era of silent film, Charlie Chaplin was the most famous actor of them all. Still heralded as one of the greats, he spent his youth in a workhouse in London before becoming a household name with his part as the Tramp. Another Hollywood legend, Alfred Hitchcock hailed from Leytonstone in London, and his film ‘Psycho’ continues to make its mark on the film industry to this day.
London is no stranger to strong women, with some of the most recognisable female powerhouses having grown up in the capital. Fans of ‘Murder, She Wrote’ will know that the great Angela Lansbury grew up in central London. Although this may be her most famous role, her career has spanned almost eight decades and even in her elderly years, she shows no signs of slowing down.
Another famous face from London, Elizabeth Taylor remains a figure of Hollywood royalty, having amassed various accolades throughout her career. In the modern era, Vogue’s Anna Wintour is certainly one of Britain’s greatest fashion-forward experts, defining a whole era of fashion for those at home and abroad.
If you feel like soaking in some of this creativity for yourself, then simply hop on a train to London Waterloo, Clapham Junction or Vauxhall, and explore all the city has to offer.
Reading
Reading Town Hall
Who is Reading famous for? Well, from accoladed authors to royal residents, Reading has certainly produced many famous folk.
One of the most famous authors of all time, Jane Austen has certainly left her mark on British culture. Although not born in Reading, she attended school here in 1785 and went on to base some of her works in the Berkshire area. If you’re a fan of Pride and Prejudice, make sure to factor in a visit to Basildon Park, which was used in the 2005 movie adaption.
If you’re a fan of tongue-in-cheek humour, then Ricky Gervais is your man. He grew up in Reading, and he was recently named as the third most influential person in British culture! Take a train to Reading to walk in his footsteps.
Southampton
Southampton boasts the perfect combination of bustling city and beautiful countryside. Not only that, but it’s also associated with an impressive array of celebrities.
It’s the birthplace of musical legend Craig David, and retired footballer Wayne Bridge was also born in Southampton. He went on to play for Chelsea, West Ham, Manchester City and Fulham.
For those in the know, Downton Abbey was filmed in Highclere Castle, not far from Southampton, and this grand stately home is certainly worth a visit. This is not the only link between Dowton Abbey and Southampton though, as the show’s Laura Carmichael is also from this area!
There are plenty of reasons to hop on a train to Southampton and explore all it has to offer.
Guildford
Guildford Castle and grounds
Guildford has been the starting point for the many famous faces! Although some people might sooner recognise her dad Phil Collins, actress Lily Collins has been busy making a name for herself with a range of TV shows and films over the last few years. Whilst she is more widely known for her forays in Paris, she was actually born in Guildford in 1989.
For the bookworms among us, P.G Wodehouse was born in Guildford, and if you want to bask in his creative glory, a trip to Guildford should certainly be on the cards.
Portsmouth
Affectionally known as ‘Pompey’, Portsmouth has been the starting point for a number of classic authors, all of whom are beloved throughout the UK and beyond.
As one of the greatest Victorian authors, Charles Dickens is undoubtedly one of the most famous names to have hailed from Portsmouth. He was born on Old Commercial Road (as it is now known), and his former home is now a museum to this great author.
Although Arthur Conan Doyle is not originally from Portsmouth, he spent a number of years there while he came up with the idea for the beloved Sherlock Holmes. If you feel like brushing up on your classics, take a trip to Portsmouth Harbour to soak in some literary inspiration.
Exeter
Exeter seems to be a hotspot for movie stars, with many recognisable faces coming from this great city. Star of ‘The Imitation Game’, ‘Downton Abbey’ and many more, star Matthew Goode was born and raised in Exeter.
On the topic of leading men, twin brothers Henry & Luke Treadway from Exeter are both carving out impressive acting resumes, with recent features on Broadway and in Netflix special ‘The Crown’.
There are of course numerous reasons to take a trip to Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central, but spotting a famous face is certainly a good one to add to the list!
Although we may not be the official land of celebrity, the South West certainly delivers in terms of star value! So what are you waiting for? Explore our flexible range of ticket types to find the best one for your journey. Make the most of cheap train tickets by going off-peak, buy a Railcard or travel in a group to save even more.
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