A Guide to the Wonka Filming Locations in Oxford
Looking for the Wonka filming locations in Oxford? Several famous Oxford landmarks appear in the 2023 film starring Timothée Chalamet, including the Radcliffe Camera and Bridge of Sighs.
Oxford is my favourite city in the UK, and I get ridiculously excited whenever I see it on screen. So you can imagine my delight when I saw several iconic Oxford locations featured in the Wonka film starring Timothée Chalamet.
I lived in Oxford for four years, and studied there twice, so I know these Oxford University locations inside out. Here’s my guide to all the Oxford University locations featured in the Wonka film, along with practical details on how you can see them for yourself.
Wonka Filming Locations in Oxford
New College Lane
Oxford first appears in the film in the car scene featuring Abigail the giraffe hanging out of the car as they speed to take it to the chapel.
Wonka and Abacus Crunch (Jim Carter) drug the doorman at the zoo again. Then the next thing we know, a green car is speeding along with a very, very tall box attached to the back. It sharply winds round the corner on New College Lane, behind New College.
Bridge of Sighs
Abacus drives a beautiful classic green car with Abigail the giraffe and Wonka in the back. You see the Bridge of Sighs ahead through the windshield as Abacus shouts, “Tell her she might want to tell her to duck!“
Abigail’s box just scrapes the bottom of the bridge, but Abigail pokes her head out soon after. Phew.
They drive out onto Catte Street by Hertford College.
Clarendon Building
Then, at the end of the film, we get a beautiful shot of the Clarendon Building, where Wonka and Noodle are seen standing outside.
The camera zooms in on Wonka, who starts singing the iconic lines… Come with me…
Radcliffe Camera
Wonka and Noodle stand opposite the Radcliffe Camera – the camera pans slowly upwards and we see the Rad Cam bathed in sunlight and in all her glory.
We then zoom in on the back doors seen below, and a young woman exits and looks around. The library is called ‘Bibliotheca Universitatis’.
It’s clear this is Noodles’ mum, and Wonka has found the library where she works.
Noodle opens the gate and runs up to her mum, who immediately hugs her.
Yay for Noodle!
The Radcliffe Camera is genuinely a library today, probably the most famous library in Oxford. It’s a reading room for Oxford University’s historic Bodleian Library.
Then Oompa Loompa appears. Wonka turns around, and you see the beautiful gate (pictured below)
Wonka gives the Oompa Loompa his final jar of chocolate and convinces him to stay with him and open a chocolate factory.
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Although Oxford only appears briefly in Wonka, some of the city’s most famous landmarks made it onto the big screen. From the Bridge of Sighs to the Radcliffe Camera, these locations are easy to visit and can all be seen within a short walk of one another.
If you’re planning a trip to Oxford, I’d recommend combining these Wonka filming locations with a visit to the Bodleian Libraries, Christ Church and some of the city’s other famous film locations.
How to Visit the Wonka Filming Locations in Oxford
One of the best things about these Wonka filming locations is that they’re all completely free to visit. They’re also located right in the heart of Oxford, meaning you can see them all within a short walk.
I’d recommend starting at New College Lane, where the giraffe car chase scene was filmed, before walking underneath the Bridge of Sighs and continuing towards the Clarendon Building and Radcliffe Camera.
The locations are busiest during weekends and university open days, so visit early in the morning if you’d like quieter streets and better photos.
While you’re in the area, it’s also worth exploring some of Oxford’s other famous filming locations, including several filming locations used in the Harry Potter films.
Allow around 30 minutes to see all of the Wonka filming locations, or longer if you’d like to stop for photos and explore the surrounding streets.
Other Filming Locations in Oxford
Oxford has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including:
- Harry Potter
- Saltburn
- Young Sherlock
- The Golden Compass
- Maxton Hall
