From Surrey With Love: How the Area Could Leverage Its Bond Connections

James Bond is a British institution. The character sits alongside some of the finest in literature, theatre, and film. The bar may be Sherlock Holmes, yet there is no other figure who has become as much of a stalwart of culture on this island as the suave and sophisticated spy. As the star of 39 books and 27 films, he is unavoidable.

So unavoidable is he that even our little part of the world, Surrey, has its own deep connections with James Bond lore. In fact, the area has served as the backdrop for a number of the spy’s big screen adventures, including the critical and financial juggernauts Skyfall and Casino Royale. Hankley Common and Dunsfold Aerodrome have both been used for filming. 

However, anyone visiting Surrey would likely be none the wiser. Largely, tourism in the area is marketed to those looking for beautiful scenery and archetypical small English towns and villages. With that in mind, should the county’s connection to the British icon be used to attract visitors to the area, and how could it be achieved?

Casino Royale Provides Great Inspiration for Nightlife Events

Dunsfold Park was used to recreate Miami International Airport in the first Daniel Craig iteration of Bond, Casino Royale. That was the film that righted the wrongs of the end of Pierce Brosnan’s stint as the tuxedoed member of Her Majesty’s Secret Service. One of its central plot points could be what Surrey businesses use to attract a new wave of visitors, too.

The film revolves around Bond needing to beat the primary villain in a game of poker. The casino setting provides a great action set piece and is a key part of why the film was so successful. While there are currently no traditional casinos in the county, poker nights and other casino-themed events would be a great way for fans of the film to connect with it.

Additionally, casino gaming is as big as ever in the UK. Online casino websites that offer players the chance to play games like poker, slots, and blackjack are increasing in popularity as mobile internet makes them more accessible. Tapping into this market of players could help provide some variety to the area’s nightlife.

Bond Screenings and Shooting Tours for Dedicated Fans

There are myriad ways that local businesses can use the connection to Bond to their benefit. In addition to setting up themed events like the ones mentioned above, screenings of the films partly shot in Surrey could make fans excited. Couple that with tours of the shooting locations, and diehards will flock to the area to join in.

It doesn’t even have to end with James Bond, either. The Visit Surrey tourism site lists all the different blockbusters and TV shows to have been shot here, including Gladiator, Hot Fuzz, and Bridgerton. Combined film and TV tours would be a great way to get new visitors engaged with the history and beauty of their surroundings.

Many countries and cities around the world have done the same. New Zealand has become a famous destination for film fans because of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Even more recently, A Minecraft Movie was shot in the country and has been used to advertise tourism to the country. There’s no reason why Surrey couldn’t do the same and embrace its link with the arts.

Plenty to Love About Surrey – The Silver Screen Just Another

Ultimately, tourism in Surrey is not struggling. The area remains a popular destination for people from the UK and abroad. Our towns and villages are the quintessential representation of what it is to be British, and the beauty of the rolling countryside does no harm. Combine all that with the proximity to London and it’s clear that the county isn’t short on admirers.

However, it doesn’t mean that we can’t use a local connection to a multibillion-pound media franchise to our benefit. We should embrace the fact that this part of the world has dazzled on the biggest stage and given life to a timeless icon of Britain. It could certainly do no harm to visitor numbers and could offer some variety in entertainment for locals, too.