20 Star Wars locations you can visit in real life

Derwentwater, UK

What do you think of when you think of Takodana? It’s probably Maz Kanata, right? Or her bar and the flags outside it?

But we reckon the big expanse of water that the Resistance flies over probably comes next.

This lakeside setting in The Force Awakens was filmed at Derwentwater in Cumbria, part of the Lake District National Park, the largest National Park in England. It can be seen as the Millennium Falcon flies into Takodana while Rey exclaims that she “didn’t know there was this much green in the whole galaxy.” Prepared to be similarly wowed should you choose to visit.

The lake is just 10 minutes’ walk outside the town center of nearby Keswick and the walk around the lake is eight miles long. You can also take a cruise around the lake by boat if you really want to get a little of that Resistance arriving by spaceship feeling.

It won’t of course be a space ship, but it’s Leia’s disembarking onto dry land that really matters. This time, we want you to have Han and Leia’s theme ready to play as you stare at whichever man is nearest, pretending he’s your estranged husband. Make sure to take note of his jacket. It might be new.

FinnPoe shippers likewise can also have a fun time shouting “That’s one hell of a pilot” as they imagine an X-Wing swooping ahead, and for those of you traveling in pairs, it might be worth investing in some Stormtrooper suits to recreate the famous “Traitor” scene.

The lake and its surrounding area is one of the best views England has to offer, and its new starring role as the place where Han and Leia reunite has only consolidated its worth as a place to visit.