“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has officially landed at the box office, offering audiences a fresh new look at the friendly neighborhood web-head. As you’ve likely come to expect, the Marvel film highlights Peter Parker’s journey as a superhero with a double life and a secret identity, picking up in the immediate aftermath of 2021’s “No Way Home.” In the new film, Spider-Man butts heads with the Hulk, swings across New York City in style, and attempts to reconnect with old loved ones while facing off against an array of iconic comic book foes. Though much of the film takes place in the web-slinger’s hometown of New York, some eagle-eyed fans might be able to spot a few inconsistencies in the background. That’s because the film was actually captured in various locations across the United Kingdom, including Glasgow, Scotland and London, England.
If you’re interested in making a pilgrimage, be sure to read ahead. We’ll run through a few key filming locations for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and offer an array of recommendations for local hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. Before long, you could be skipping down the sidewalk in Tinderbox city, waiting to see superhero antics and climactic chase sequences play out along the rooftops.
Some Viewers Spotted Downtown Glasgow In Marvel’s Latest Movie
Key Scenes: Despite taking place on the rooftops and high-walled facades of NYC, much of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” was filmed in Glasgow, Scotland. Specifically, fans noted closures along Hutcheson Street, St Vincent Street and Bothwell Street in downtown Glasgow, as the areas were used for a pair of climactic chase sequences. This was later confirmed by a report in Time Out.
Best Time to Visit: Though Scotland is a gorgeous country worth visiting any time of year, locals usually recommend swinging by during the summer months of June through September. This period of time often offers the best weather, the longest daylight hours and access to the most exciting outdoor events. Shoulder months like May or October might allow for cheaper flights, so it may be worth booking an itinerary with a bit of wiggle room if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation Options: Once you land in Glasgow, you’ll find that the city is teeming with public transportation options that can easily be used to navigate the area. If you’re looking to check out every web-slinging location where Spider-Man traveled, you may need to rent a car to check out the Scottish countryside. Luckily, most travelers will be just fine with the variety of buses, taxis and subway systems.
During production, filming locations in Glasgow were dressed with American props and backdrops, and were later digitally altered to better resemble neighborhoods such as Manhattan and Queens. If you’re an eagle-eyed native of the Auld Country, you might still be able to spot a few notable Glasgow landmarks whizzing by as Spidey swings his way down the road.
Things to Do: When you first get into Glasgow, be sure to check out one of the local tours to fully get your bearings. You’ll find that the city is loaded with basic walking tours, tours dedicated to the city’s mysterious history, and even tours dedicated entirely to ghosts and the supernatural. Once you’ve got the lay of the land, be sure to look into some local highlights, including Celtic Park, the Botanic Gardens, the Glasgow Science Centre or the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel. While in town, you should also consider exploring outside the city with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or a visit to the castles along the scenic highlands.
Where to Eat: No matter how you explore Glasgow, you’ll certainly need a few opportunities to stop and grab a bite. The city is renowned for its traditional Scottish dishes, delectable Indian curry and hearty comfort foods such as stews and pub meals. Some local favorite restaurants include Green Gates Merchantcity and Laz Turkish Tapas. If you don’t mind spending a pretty penny for something fancy, you’ll also find a few Michelin-starred kitchens in the city, including Ox And Finch and Number 16.
Where to Stay: Though Glasgow is a beautiful and scenic locale for a vacation, you’ll find that hotel rates aren’t quite as oppressive as many other major cultural hubs. This means that you can probably get a room at an upscale hotel like the Hotel Du Vin Glasgow or the Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow without breaking the bank, especially during off-peak seasons. These hotels offer excellent views and easy access to the center of town, allowing you an opportunity to hit the street and find every pub, club, and street vendor that was nearly knocked over by Spider-Man and his foes. If saving money is your main goal, you can score quality rooms at even cheaper rates by checking out chain hotels such as the Hilton Garden Inn or Holiday Inn Express, especially when paired with credit card rewards or other specialty rates.
Parts Of England Were Also Utilized To Film ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
(Viktor Forgacs/Unsplash)
Key Scenes: Though much of “Brand New Day” centers on Spider-Man leaping through the open city, a vast majority of the movie was captured indoors on soundstages. These stages were constructed on Pinewood Studios’ massive 90-acre site, allowing the Marvel team to capture immersive set pieces and synthesize entire city blocks. Unfortunately, Pinewood Studios is not open to the public for regular tours, save for special events. Still, the facility has been used to bring a number of Marvel films to life, so you may be able to find locals in the area with the inside scoop on the MCU.
Best Time to Visit: If you plan to swing through London, your best bet is to book your trip in the spring. Months like April and May offer milder weather, lower humidity than in summer and greater access to outdoor markets and public events. Summers in the UK are known for their oppressive heat, and air conditioning is shockingly non-standard in the Big Smoke. The fall months tend to be much cooler, but they’re often subject to heavy rainstorms and fluctuating weather patterns.
Transportation Options: London is well known for its comprehensive public transit, which includes a myriad of taxis, buses, trains and trams. Those looking to traverse the city should be able to easily get from point A to point B without any web-slingers. If you’d like to venture far outside the city or pull off multiple excursions in a single day, it may be worth renting a car, but it shouldn’t be a requirement for most travelers. That money could be better spent visiting London’s many tourist attractions, such as Big Ben or Buckingham Palace.
Several cities outside London were also used to shoot “Brand New Day,” including Dorset, Surrey, Kent, and others. Per Time Out, numerous landmarks in the greater London area were used in the movie, including the Senate House at the University of London, Dorchester Prison, Battersea Park, and the Turks Boatyard in The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The former Automobile Association Fanum House headquarters serves as a prison in the movie, which makes sense given the building’s imposing presence. When visiting the region, you may be best advised to set up a home base at a London hotel and travel to these surrounding locales as needed.
Things to Do: Speaking of London’s most iconic tourist sights, you’ll find that there’s more than enough non-Spider-Man activities to load your itinerary, even if you’re a massive Marvel fan. First-time visitors should be sure to grab a seat on a local big bus tour to get a feel for the city, or take a cruise tour on the River Thames if you’ve got your sea legs. From there, you can explore some of the finer things in town, like Wembley Stadium, the Borough Market, the Sky Garden or Stonehenge. Public tours are available at Warner Bros. Studios for the movie buffs in your party, though they primarily focus on other UK-based productions like the “Harry Potter” films.
Where to Eat: Much like Glasgow, London is known for its variety of delightful dining options. Whether you’re looking for a trendy, upscale eatery or a quick bite at a locally-owned diner, you’ll never be at a loss during your visit. Michelin star kitchens in the city include Smokestak, Padella and Kiln, allowing you to take advantage of some once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences with your friends. Less expensive options that local Londoners swear behind include the Devine Restaurant Coffee Bar, Ottolenghi Spitalfields and the always reliable Golden Chippy.
Where to Stay: Unlike Glasgow, London hotels tend to be a little pricier, making it difficult to find a quality stay at an affordable rate. If your budget is a little more Tony Stark than Peter Parker, you can feel free to book a room at a ritzy place like the London Bridge Hotel, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge or The Bailey’s Hotel on Kensington. If not, you should be sure to check the rates at local chain hotels, including the Hilton, Travelodge and Holiday Inn. These hotels often offer rewards programs, which can help to offset costs so you have more to spend on chasing Spider-Man style adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sadie Sink in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”?
Sadie Sink portrays the character Jean Grey in “Brand New Day.” This character is a founding member of the X-Men, who has previously been portrayed by Famke Janssen, Summer Fontana and Sophie Turner. Sink’s portrayal marks the character’s first official appearance in the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Who is the main villain in “Brand New Day”?
Though multiple villains from the iconic Spider-Man rogues gallery appear throughout the run of the film, the main antagonist in “Brand New Day” is Sadie Sink’s Jean Grey. Jean, typically associated with the X-Men, uses her mind-control abilities to infiltrate Peter Parker’s inner circle and manipulate powerful adversaries such as the Incredible Hulk. Scorpion, Tombstone, and members of the shadowy DODC organization also make notable appearances in the movie.