Step into the movies: Elstree Studios to launch new immersive experience

Elstree Studios is to open a £3.3 million immersive experience in December 2026 as part of its centenary celebrations.

An icon of British television and film heritage, Elstree Studios is home to British screen favourites such as EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing, as well as blockbuster productions including Wicked, Star Wars and Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail.

It is owned by Hertsmere Borough Council, one of the organisations that make up Hertfordshire Growth Board, the headline partner of the UK Screen Investment Programme.

The new permanent, multi-sensory experience will be Hertsmere’s first major screen tourism attraction. It will sit alongside renowned Hertfordshire screen destination ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter’ in Leavesden and filming locations including Knebworth House and Hatfield House, as well as the new Universal Studios theme park in development in neighbouring Bedfordshire. 

The project is backed by £2 million from the Community Infrastructure Levy and £1.3 million in external investment, with Hertfordshire Futures and Hertfordshire Film Office working closely with Hertsmere Borough Council to bring the vision to life. 

Councillor Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, and Chair of both Hertfordshire Growth Board and Elstree Studios, said: “The Elstree Immersive Experience will educate people about our film industry, inspire more people to get involved, and bring economic growth to our borough by attracting visitors to the area, supporting local businesses and our communities.”

Screen tourism is booming in the UK and around the world, driving visitor numbers and economic growth. VisitBritain reports that seven in ten visitors explore film or TV locations during their travels, and interest is rising. With inbound tourism reaching around £33.7 billion in 2025, the Elstree Immersive Experience will tap into this trend, cementing Hertfordshire as a must-visit destination for film and TV fans and showcasing the county’s status as an internationally renowned hub for filmmaking.