The Pokémon world is a fantastical place, populated by 2’07” fiery snail-things that are almost twice as hot as the surface of the sun (oh, Pokédex, what are you even talking about?). At the same time, though, the various regions we explore in the games are inspired by the geography of the real world.
Johto, for instance, is reminiscent of Japan’s Kansai region, while Alola obviously nods to Hawaii. Galar of Pokémon Sword and Shield, meanwhile, is clearly based on the UK. We’ve seen the resemblance since the earliest trailers (there’s a teapot Pokémon, what more evidence could you need?), but let’s take an in-depth look at some areas of Galar and their potential real-life counterparts.
10 Turffield/Stonehenge
Turffield is one of your first stops on your journey through Galar, which you'll visit as a fresh-faced Trainer with your starter in tow. It’s home to an adorable little berry market, the humble Grass-type Gym Leader, Milo, and some curious sanding stones.
Of course, a reference to standing stones will immediately bring Britain’s famous Stonehenge to mind. This curious site has been perplexing visitors and researchers for centuries. It’s located in Wiltshire, South West England, and some travellers find it a little underwhelming in terms of size (it’s much smaller than it may appear and visitors aren’t really allowed to get as close as they once could). Nevertheless, the prehistoric site is of huge significance to the many who still wonder about its power and purpose. To reflect that, there’s a curious riddle that players can solve for a reward that revolves around the Turffield stones.
9 Motostoke/Manchester
Turffield is a humble, rural town that gently introduces players to Sword and Shield’s countryside aesthetic. In between that, though, as locals will tell you, the UK is punctuated by huge, metropolitan towns. One of these is Manchester, located in the North West of England.
As we reported over on The Gamer, Manchester is very reminiscent of Sword and Shield’s Motostoke. It’s a busy, bustling town populated by people from all walks of life who share a common bond and sense of community. That whole concept is very much in keeping with the spirit of Pokémon’s towns. Visually, too, the cities are very familiar.
8 The Wild Area/The Lake District
As we’ve mentioned, the UK is known for its sweeping green fields and stunning natural landscapes. The Wild Area, which is Sword and Shield’s take on an open world in miniature, could have taken inspiration from any one of Britain’s beautiful spots.
For our Poké-Dollars, though, it’s the Lake District that resembles the Wild Area the most. Of course, the Wild Area’s terrain and weather vary greatly, but the iconic mountains and woods of this idyllic spot in North East England channel its spirit perfectly.
7 Circhester/Bath
As fans know, Pokémon games are never complete without the obligatory frozen area and/or town (all those Ice-types have to live somewhere, after all). The UK being utterly rain-tastic and cold for a good portion of the year, Galar was doubly sure to have such a place. Two major ones, in fact, the first being the town of Circhester.
With its prominent baths, Circhester brings the town of Bath, Somerset to mind. It’s world-renowned for its ancient Roman baths, which look eerily similar to the waters in which the heroes of old were said to have recuperated in Circhester.
6 Hulbury/Liverpool
If there’s something else Britain is known for, it’s those characteristic seaside resorts. Towns like Brighton in the south continue to draw great crowds of tourists, even if the days of tacky ‘Kiss Me Quick’ hats are a little behind the UK now. As travel to the continent (and beyond) became cheaper a couple of decades ago, the British weather wasn’t quick enough for a lot of holidaymakers.
All the same, though, the UK is characterized by port towns and resorts. One of the most famous would be Liverpool in the North, and Hulbury is a little too big to be a reference to one of Britain’s smaller coastal settlements.
5 Wyndon Stadium/Wembley Stadium
The people of Britain, as a general rule, take soccer (or should we say football) super, super seriously. There’s an obvious allusion to this in the form of Cinderace, Scorbunny’s final evolition (Pyro Ball is probably the coolest move animation in Pokémon history), as well as the stadiums where Gym Leaders are battled.
London’s Wembley Stadium is the grandest stage for soccer matches in the country, the home of the English national team. Sword and Shield’s closest equivalent would have to be Wyndon Stadium, the biggest in Galar and the chosen arena for the Champion Cup.
4 Glimwood Tangle/Sherwood Forest
As players will know, Glimwood Tangle is a far cry from the standard forest regions of the Pokémon world. There’s something ethereal about the place, an air of mischievous fairy energy.
Fortunately, there are no woods in England that are actually home to terrifying creatures like Grimmsnarl (imagine that thing charging at you in the middle of a spooky forest). Even so, the mysterious nature of Glimwood Tangle could well be a nod to Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire (East Midlands), supposedly once the home of the legendary Robin Hood.
3 Hammerlocke/Edinburgh
Next, we’re heading north, to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. This wonderful city, like Manchester, is renowned for its sense of community, for uniting people from all walks of life. Its skyline is also famously dominated by the imposing Edinburgh Castle, which stands high on Castle Rock.
A lot of this is reflected in Hammerlocke, a town so large it needs three Pokémon Centers. Hammerlocke also boasts a huge castle, which is visible from a great distance in the Wild Area. It’s the proud home of Raihan, the Dragon-type Gym Leader who is strong enough even to rival the Champion Leon.
2 Route 10/Snowdonia
As we’ve mentioned, then, cold and icy regions were a must in the creation of Galar. The town of Circhester already had this covered, but after Raihan’s defeat and the gather of the last Gym Badge, the player is taken to Route 10.
These icy mountains, as you’d expect, are home to a lot of Ice-types, such as Abomasnow and the all-new Eiscue and Galarian Darumaka. The snowy mountains could well be a reference to Snowdonia, a region full of peaks in the North West of Wales.
1 Wyndon/London
It goes without saying that London is the capital of England and the UK. As such, it was certain to be referenced by one of the cities of Sword and Shield. That city was Wyndon, a vast metropolis that homes the Champion Cup.
If you’re familiar with London, you’ll notice several blatant nods to landmarks. The London Eye and River Thames are given not-so-subtle Galarian makeovers. It’s such a fitting decision, and a perfect place for Trainers to finish up their quest to be the best and challenge the Champion. Wyndon Stadium, as we’ve already mentioned, is awe-inspiring.