Where was Willy Wonka's Factory?

[clairelb]

Does anyone know what country Willy Wonka’s factory was meant to be in, or even, what nationality was Charlie?

I’m posting this here because film makers sometimes twist things and I want to know if  the book actually tells us. 

Thanks

[scubadiver]

When I read the book, years ago, I always got the impression that it was set in Germany.

I have just checked a couple of websites & the original film was shot in Munich, so I don't know if this is coincidence, or actually where the book was set.

[hairylemon]

England. eh come on now clairelb... have you ever heard of a german by the name of charlie bucket??? i think not dear.

[Champagne]

I think you'll find it's pronounced 'bouquet'.

[georgit79]

It really annoyed me too- Charlie Bucket and his family were obviously English, but in the film he paid for his chocolate with dollars- annoying!

[jake-the-peg]

They were also driving on the right

[KebabMeister]

It was filmed entirely in Bavaria; mostly at the Bavaria Filmstudios (which is actually about 2 1/2 miles from where I live).

Whether they helped produce it I don't know?  Perhaps just a case of being able to make the film at a lowish budget?

[Booldawg]

I'm not quite sure, but I know there is a chocolate factory near Birmingham. But I think that's Cadburys, not Willy wonka.

[Rabelais]

If my memory of the book is correct he finds 50p in the gutter to buy the winning ticket, which almost certainly makes him British. As to hollywoods interpretations who cares.

[clairelb]

Thanks for the replies so far.  This started as one of those office discussions that noone seemed to know the answer to.  Most of us assumed Charlie was English (the Bucket surname seemed to be a bit of a giveaway), but less of us thought the factory was in England, even though the glass elevator flew over his house.  Then there was the ‘Elevator’…  Why is it called an Elevator and not a ‘Lift’ if it was based in England?  I know the Great Glass Lift doesn’t sound as good, but even so…

[Trillipse]

it was upgraded from the big pyrex ladder.

[indian]

I think it was called an elevator because the author lived in America for some of his life.