North-west of England film and TV itinerary

Towering over Albert Square is Manchester’s mid-18th-century town hall, a giant of neo-gothic architecture. Did you know it shares the same architect as London’s Natural History Museum, Alfred Waterhouse? It’s appeared on screen in films including Sherlock Holmes, The Iron Lady and Victor Frankenstein, as well as on TV in Peaky Blinders and Fresh Meat. Mark your diary for Christmas 2025, when Manchester’s festive events will return to the square here for the first time since 2018. The building itself is set to reopen in 2026 – watch this space.  

You’ll be stunned into silence in this atmospheric library, whose Historic Reading Room reminds you of a church with its vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows. Come to study or simply enjoy the views and ever-changing exhibitions. In series three of Peaky Blinders it appears as Ada’s library, while in Churchill war drama Darkest Hour, it steps in as the Houses of Parliament along with Manchester Town Hall. 

Glimpse Manchester’s Roman and industrial heritage in this canal-studded neighbourhood, seen in Peaky Blinders and Sherlock Holmes. Wander round Mamucium, the old Roman fort, before exploring the canalside paths and admiring the colourful boats. In summer, this area comes to life with waterside bars and eateries like Albert’s Shed, while in winter the hearty roast dinners at The Wharf go down a treat. Cheers to that!

Looking for an escape into nature? Discover a once-disused Victorian bridge transformed into an urban sky park and ‘garden in the sky’, where lush planting combines with its original 19th-century features. It is wheelchair accessible and managed by the National Trust.

Join expert guide Lee Perkins on a journey of cinematic discovery around Manchester, ticking off its finest screen appearances. This is the only dedicated filming locations tour in Manchester, so it’s a ‘reel’ hit with movie buffs. Lee is a former tour manager for the BBC and ITV, and uses his experiences to bring the city to life. Taking you from Castlefield to the Northern Quarter, you’ll come away feeling like you’ve had a peek behind Manchester’s movie magic. 

If you’ve noticed a swanky geometric building on your travels around Manchester, that’s Aviva Studios – the city’s newest cultural space that’s already making waves. Arts, music and culture are all on the agenda here: artists David Hockney and Yayoi Kusama and musicians Janelle Monáe and Johnny Marr have recently showcased their work. Every two years, the venue hosts the Manchester International Festival – the next edition is 3 – 20 July 2025.  

Head to football-obsessed Manchester for a behind-the-scenes look at the home of the Premier League titans. Join a virtual manager in a press conference, take your seat in the dugout and enjoy the City Story, a 360-degree cinema experience.

Bursting with personality is Manchester’s Northern Quarter. With independent stores, bars and eateries, it’s also home to the world-famous Afflecks, an emporium of unusual and unique shops. Walk its colourfully illustrated streets – look out for a Banksy – and trawl the rails at Retro Rehab. Pick up rare vinyl at the Vinyl Exchange or spot the area's famous filming locations – recognise it from Captain America, Morbius, Sherlock Holmes, The Crown and many more productions? 

How do Neopolitan-New York fusion pizzas washed down with frozen daquiris sound for lunch? Diecast joined the Northern Quarter’s fabulous food scene in 2023, transforming Manchester’s biggest former metalworks station into the ultimate party venue. With room for 5,000 guests, you won’t be short for space. In summer, this is Manchester’s biggest beer garden – so grab a pint of something fizzy and enjoy the sun.  

Take a tour of this unusual Grade II listed former swimming pool complex or search for treasures at its regular vintage markets. In Peaky Blinders, it was the setting for the horse fair where Tommy Shelby meets his love interest, May.

With its inclusive bars, shops, restaurants and clubs, the area around Canal Street is known as ‘Gay Village’ – a hub for LGBTQIA+ nightlife and events. In Sackville Gardens, visit the Alan Turing memorial, which honours the WWII codebreaker.

See the UK’s largest radio telescope, the Lovell Telescope, in action at UNESCO-listed Jodrell Bank. Delve into the observatory’s fascinating history, from its post-war beginnings to its present-day work. A highlight is the Space Dome, a planetarium-style auditorium where you’re fully immersed in Jodrell Bank’s work. Outside is an arboretum, with plenty of shady spots for a summer picnic. Don’t miss the Bluedot Festival held here every summer – a vibrant celebration of music and science. 

With 1,400 acres of moorland, woodland, gardens and a deer park, Lyme’s Elizabethan estate is the largest in Cheshire. Grade I listed, it’s rammed with history and art, dark and detailed wood paneling, and a bedroom slept in by Mary Queen of Scots that hosts a secret passageway leading through the house and to the Long Gallery. It’s starred in the BBC’s production of Pride and Prejudice. 

Stepping out of Manchester’s shadow is neighbouring Stockport, once famous for its hat-making industry. If you love local grub, head to Stockport Market Place: there’s the market itself, full of Cheshire produce, and just opposite is the Produce Hall, dishing up international flavours in a 160-year-old building. For shopping, head to the Little and Great Underbank, teeming with indie boutiques. You might even spot the odd film crew – see Stockport on screen in Netflix’s House of Guinness and Peaky Blinders. 

From series three to six of Peaky Blinders, Arley Hall was the home of Thomas Shelby. Both its interiors and exteriors were used for filming over six years. You’ll also recognise it from Netflix crime drama Fool Me Once, based on Harlan Coben’s novel. Explore Arley’s 15 acres of gardens, including a fun woodland play area for younger visitors – you can even stay after hours in one of the hall’s holiday cottages. 

Welcome to this 19th-century ‘model village’, created by the Lever Brothers for workers at its soap factory (now Unilever). It’s also where Aunt Polly – played by the late Helen McCrory – is gifted a house in series two, episode two of Peaky Blinders. If she’d visited today, we’re sure she’d love the Lady Lever Art Gallery, where you can admire a mighty collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. 

A centrepiece of the city, the ancient monument stands proud in Chester. Book onto a Tower Tour to climb up the central tower and soar over the city, county and across to Wales. Or choose the likes of the Stained-Glass Tour and Gothic Architecture Tour to get insight into the build and history of the cathedral.

How are your putting skills? Pick up a club at the Hole in Wand and find out on their magical mini golf course, hidden in one of Chester’s historic buildings. There are nine different holes to try your luck at and lots of quirky theming to enjoy. After your round, hole up in the Wizard Tavern where you’ll find tasty potions to drink – with some extra magic ingredients for grown-ups.  

Indulge in an English tradition at this historic hotel in central Chester. Afternoon tea has been served at the Chester Grosvenor since 1882 and is the city’s go-to spot for a ‘cuppa’ and cake. Tuck into carefully crafted finger sandwiches and dainty patisserie, plus scones with clotted cream for that touch of luxury.  

A mix of the arts, Storyhouse brings a theatre, cinema, city library and restaurant to Chester’s cultural scene. Located in Chester’s city centre, visit now for comedy shows, stage performances and new film screenings.

No Liverpool trip is complete without visiting the Royal Albert Dock. Here you’ll find museums and galleries galore, with a stellar crop of bars and restaurants, as well as shops to browse. It’s a hub for festivals and events, so keep an eye on its calendar too. 

At the heart of Liverpool’s world-famous docks is Stanley Dock, designed by the same architect as nearby Albert Dock. Its centrepiece is the enormous Tobacco Warehouse, once the world’s largest brick building, which could house 70,000 hogsheads (large casks) of tobacco. Today, this industrial landscape is now home to Everton football club’s new waterfront stadium. Film fans: look out for Stanley Dock in Captain America, Sherlock Holmes and Peaky Blinders. 

Admire Liverpool’s Three Graces – The Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building – on a waterside stroll. Pier Head is also the place to be to snap a photo with the iconic Beatles statue, but also look out for the Heaven and Earth monument, paying tribute to 17th-century astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks. In 2023, the Eurovision Song Contest was held here, bringing more than 450,000 music fans to the city – now that’s music to our ears.

Reminiscent in style of New York’s historic towers, this mighty landmark was Europe’s first ‘skyscraper’. It opened in 1911 and is a true Liverpool icon: its guided tours reveal the city’s history, while the 15th-floor viewing platform boasts superb 360º views. It's from up here that Robert Pattinson’s The Batman takes a lookout over Gotham City, before leaping off the ledge in one of the film’s most memorable scenes.

One of the ‘Three Graces’ of Liverpool’s UNESCO waterfront and once a passenger terminal for trans-Atlantic ships, the Cunard Building is today home to The British Music Experience, a museum dedicated to Britain’s musical heritage, from The Beatles to the Spice Girls. The legendary building also stars as New York’s Macy’s department store in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, for the scene in which Newt chases an adorable ‘Demiguise’ through the aisles! In The Crown, this area of Liverpool’s waterfront was transformed into a Sixties-style Washington DC, complete with retro cars outside. And did you know that the Cunard Building was one of the Liverpool landmarks chosen to appear in the music video for Taylor Swift’s “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version)”?

Have a ship-shape stay at this characterful warehouse-turned-hotel, named after the city’s star ocean liner. Bedrooms are chock-full of individuality – look out for the original vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork. Relax after a day of sightseeing at the Maya Blue Wellness spa, hidden underground, where you can enjoy tip-top treatments with luxurious ESPA products. For a sweet treat, enjoy afternoon tea on the waterfront, or warm up for a night of karaoke in the Cavern Quarter with quirky cocktails at the Rum Bar.

Step into the Shelbys’ world on an immersive tour of Liverpool – the place where most of the original hit TV show was filmed. You’ll get to explore the famous Epsom racecourse, Polly’s home, the spot where Tommy was attacked by Father Hughes’ henchmen – and much more. A real must for fans of the show. 

Liverpool is home to not one, but two amazing cathedrals – and the newer of the two, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, makes an enormous impact. Make a beeline for its Lantern Tower, where you’ll be entranced by the world’s largest area of coloured glass. In fact, there are artworks to admire throughout the cathedral, and the building itself is a marvel of design. Not to miss is the Lutyens Crypt and Treasury, one of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ most remarkable designs and all that remains of an earlier cathedral for Liverpool. Look out for it in Doctor Who and BBC drama This City is Ours. 

For the best views of the city, join Liverpool Cathedral’s ‘Tower Experience’ tour – venturing to the heights of its panoramic rooftop. Britain’s largest cathedral, it offers Christian services year-round, but its magnificent architecture, concerts and exhibitions are open to visitors of all faiths and none. Peaky Blinders fans – you'll often see Tommy Shelby paying the cathedral a visit in the show. 

One of Liverpool’s architectural gems, this Grade I listed building is a must-visit for fantasy fans – it's a key filming location for beloved franchises. Senator Shaw is seen giving a speech here in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, as its neoclassical design makes a perfect stand-in for 1920s New York. It also doubles as Gotham City Hall in The Batman, appearing several times in the film.  

On a regular day, St. George’s Hall hosts events and exhibitions year-round, so be sure to check what’s on during your visit. You could catch a play, a concert, or even a silent disco!  

One of the most famous music venues in the UK, The Cavern Club helped launch the career of The Beatles. They first performed here on 9 February 1961 and it was where manager Brian Epstein later spotted them. The rest, as they say, is history. Nowadays, The Cavern Club continues to champion up-and-coming musicians, with regular nights of Beatles tributes.

Feeling adventurous? Try wild swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing on England’s largest lake. There are hiking and cycling trails for all abilities around Windermere’s shore, plus hotels overlooking the water. You’ll recognise the lake from Peter Rabbit’s big-screen outing in 2018, with James Corden. 

All aboard a grand steamer for a scenic trip around Lake Windermere. Or why not enjoy a romantic adventure on a self-drive electric motorboat or rowing boat? This is one of the most popular ways to experience the sights and sounds of England’s largest lake – and look out for the colourful wildlife that call it home. 

Step into Beatrix Potter’s enchanting stories, with a chance to meet Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and friends. Maybe you’ll explore Mr McGregor’s garden, catch a live storytelling show, or enjoy a fairytale-themed afternoon tea? A magical day out for all ages.

For invigorating mountain hikes, you’ve come to the right place: Langdale is famous for its lofty peaks, with circular trails and challenging summits alike. These landscapes look straight out of a fairytale – no wonder they’re seen in Snow White and The Huntsman. After a day in the hills, choose from the welcoming local pubs and guesthouses, including the award-winning Sticklebarn.  

Lace up your hiking boots for a walk around the Thirlmere reservoir, framed by the Lake District fells. The circular route around the reservoir, taking in the shoreline and woodlands, is 10 miles (16km) long, but there are plenty of shorter options, including a waymarked 1.5-mile (2.4km) stroll from the Dam Triangle car park to the Giant Tree. Or, park up at the Steel End Car Park to see where school trip scenes from Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy were filmed.  

From ziplines and via ferratas, to camping on the edge of a cliff – this outdoor activity centre is a thrill-seeker’s paradise. As a working slate mine, it has subterranean adventures too: think underground rock climbing, rope bridges and behind-the-scenes tours of the tunnels.

On the shores of Derwentwater, this pretty market town is a hive of activity – with festivals, hotels, watersports and more. From mountain bike trails and gin distillery tours, to woodland ziplines and self-drive boat trips, Keswick is packed with adventurous things to do – the hardest part is choosing. It’s another of the glorious Lake District locations featured in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with it, too. 

Step inside two carefully restored train carriages for dinner with a difference at Bassenthwaite Lake Station. Two carriages used for Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express now host diners in a unique setting at a revamped former railway station. There’s a busy events programme, including murder mystery nights, to get stuck into.  

Located on the banks of the Lake District’s river Derwent, The Lakes Distillery pulls its inspiration from the scenic surroundings. Glimpse the process of expression through one of their many tours, from still room walks to multi-sensory experiences, which even include a whisky and chocolate pairing. Keep an eye out for the resident Alpacaly Ever After alpacas that graze here.

Enjoy adventures on both land and water at Buttermere Valley, which includes the lakes of Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater. The valley makes a jaw-dropping backdrop to a Tom Cruise stunt in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One.