Content Team
11 December 2020
The popular film series was rebooted in 2015 with Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the Lake District has its own place in that film. Those with eagle eyes will have spotted some famous Lakeland sights (although some have been altered slightly with the use of CGI!)
If you didn't spot the landmarks, our quick guide below will help you explore the Star Wars planet of Takodana for yourself! When the location scouts read a part of the script where the lead character, Rey (Daisy Ridley), exclaims, when arriving on the planet, "I didn't know there was this much green in the whole galaxy" they knew that only one place could fit the bill, the Lake District.
Derwentwater, Keswick
Perhaps the most recognisable of all the locations is when a couple of X-Wing fighters fly across Derwentwater from Walla Cragg on the southeast of the lake. You're not likely to see extraterrestrial spaceships if you visit, but you might spot some RAF jets training in the area!
Derwentwater can be seen in several other parts of the film, shot from a number of different locations around the lake. For those keen to picture a spaceship battle for themselves, why not set off from Keswick for a walk around the lakeshore? If you don't want to walk the whole length of Derwentwater, why not take a leisurely walk into the jaws of stunning Borrowdale and then catch a Keswick launch across the water and back to the pretty market town for cake and a warm drink?
Stay close to the action in one of our Keswick cottages.
Thirlmere
Thirlmere is a peaceful reservoir to the west of the Helvellyn Ridge. Originally two lakes, a dam was added in the late 1800s, creating the reservoir that we know today. Two villages were submerged in the process, and only a small church now remains of the settlements!
The location is less tranquil in the movie, with yet more X-Wing fighters zooming just above the water. In reality, Thirlmere is a relaxing place to visit, with lots of lovely lakeshore paths and forest walks to explore.
Take a look below at the original video that identifies both the movie scenes and the Lake District locations from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.