Britain’s film and TV by region: the north-west of England
Stop 1 - Manchester
John Rylands Library
Think libraries are quiet? Not this one. With its dark wood, stained glass and Hogwarts-esque hallways, John Rylands Library set the scene for brooding Peaky Blinders moments. Built as a memorial to Manchester industrialist John Rylands in 1890, it’s home to one of the finest collections of rare books and manuscripts in the world – including a fragment of the oldest known New Testament text. Tucked away on Deansgate, the library is free to enter and feels more cathedral than reading room. Don’t miss the historic reading room or changing exhibitions.
Northern Quarter
Welcome to one of Manchester’s coolest corners – where Captain America once dashed through the cobbled streets with its red brick warehouses (a little movie magic transformed it into 1940s Brooklyn). Sherlock Holmes and The Crown also found their perfect urban grit here. Off-screen, it’s a haven for creativity: think bold street art, vinyl treasure troves like Piccadilly Records, and hip cafes like Foundation Coffee House or Ezra & Gil – both local favourites.
Victoria Baths
Tiled and dripping with faded grandeur, Victoria Baths is another one of Manchester’s evocative filming locations. A former Edwardian swimming pool and Turkish bath complex opened in 1906, it served as a backdrop in Peaky Blinders and Life on Mars. Though no longer operational as a pool, it now thrives as a cultural venue hosting weddings, vintage fairs, art exhibitions and film screenings. Guided tours reveal stories about its ornate stained glass, mosaic floors and hidden pools.
Diecast Food Hall
When it’s time to refuel, why not try Diecast. The vast space blends exposed steel beams, neon lights and open kitchens to create a buzzing urban playground. Opened in 2023, it’s home to multiple street food vendors, a craft cocktail bar, a brewery, and a frozen daiquiri bar. Expect everything from Neapolitan pizza to Korean fried chicken - served with a soundtrack of live DJs. Encourage your clients to grab a craft beer, indulge in globally inspired dishes, or soak up the industrial-chic vibes.
Manchester Museum
Having reopened in 2023, after a £15 million transformation, Manchester Museum is a world-class collection housed within a neo-Gothic building on Oxford Road. Home to more than 4.5 million objects, it brings together natural history, archaeology, and world cultures under one roof. Free to enter, collection highlights include Stan the T-Rex, one of the finest mummy collections outside of Cairo, and the South Asia Gallery – the first permanent space in the UK dedicated to South Asian experiences.
Manchester River Cruises
Fancy swapping cobbles for canals? Hop aboard a Manchester River Cruise. These laid-back boat trips offer a fresh view of the city’s ever-evolving skyline – from the red-brick mills of the past to the gleaming tower blocks of contemporary times. Cruises typically depart from Salford Quays and glide along the historic Manchester Ship Canal, with live commentary bringing the city’s industrial heritage to life.
National Football Museum
Located in the heart of Manchester, the National Football Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of objects and archives dedicated to the beautiful game. Located in the striking Urbis building, just a short walk from Manchester Victoria station, the museum brings together football’s greatest stories, icons and artefacts under one roof. Your clients can see the 1966 World Cup Final ball, take a selfie with the Premier League trophy and admire treasures like the world’s first football shirt from 1872. Interactive galleries let fans test their penalty-taking skills and relive unforgettable goals through immersive displays. There’s also a Hall of Fame which celebrates the achievements of footballing legends from the UK and beyond – packed with players, managers and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the game so many love.
Manchester Town Hall
Sherlock Holmes cracked cases here. Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) rumbled through in Darkest Hour. And the Shelby clan of Peaky Blinders brooded under its gothic arches. Manchester Town Hall is a neo-Gothic masterpiece – completed in 1877 by architect Alfred Waterhouse – that was designed to showcase the city’s global status during the Industrial Revolution. With its dramatic spiral staircases, mosaic-clad corridors and towering clock tower (nicknamed ‘Big Abel’), it’s no surprise it’s become a screen-double for Westminster and beyond. While the building is closed for major restorations until 2027, its ornate façade and Albert Square setting still make it one of Manchester’s most cinematic sights.
Manchester Film Festival
For a real behind-the-scenes look at the future of film, your clients should time a visit for the Manchester Film Festival, happening each March. Held at the historic Odeon Manchester Great Northern, it showcases an international mix of feature films, documentaries, shorts, and animation, with a spotlight on emerging talent. Expect world premieres, post-screening question and answer sessions, filmmaker panels and networking events for both industry insiders and cinephiles.
getting there
Getting here: Manchester is approximately 200 miles (322km) north of London, and it takes just over two hours to travel from London to Manchester by train. The nearest international airport is Manchester Airport, a 20-minute train journey from Manchester Piccadilly station. Direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Oxenholme Lake District take around one hour 10 minutes, with connections on to Windermere.
Stop 2 - The Lake District
The World of Beatrix Potter
Step into the charming universe of Peter Rabbit and friends at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere. This immersive attraction brings the author’s timeless tales to life with 3D displays, garden trails, and interactive exhibits. It’s a nostalgic trip for adults and a storybook adventure for children. Your clients can explore scenes from all 23 of Potter’s books, meet characters like Jemima Puddle-Duck and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and learn about the author’s real-life conservation legacy in the Lake District. Just a stone’s throw from where she once lived, it’s also a seamless introduction to the landscapes that inspired both her work and the Peter Rabbit films.
Buttermere Valley
And now for a showstopper. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two (or Mission: Impossible 8) landed Tom Cruise right here in Buttermere Valley. It’s easy to see why: wild peaks, shimmering waters and a peacefulness that feels a million miles from city life. Hike the classic Buttermere loop and imagine helicopters swooping overhead – but maybe leave the daredevil stunts to the professionals. For something more grounded, pop into Syke Farm Tea Room for fresh scones or sample local ice cream made on site. Nearby, Honister Slate Mine offers underground tours and via ferrata climbing routes for clients craving a bit of Ethan Hunt-level adrenaline.
Derwentwater
Lightsabers and… Bridget Jones? Only in Britain. Derwentwater played a starring role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and pops up again in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Go sailing, kayaking, or take a boat trip from Keswick for a relaxed cruise. Disembark at one of the eight jetties to explore walking trails, like the popular Catbells hike. Add in local wildlife and picnic spots, and there’s a blockbuster day out. For a stay that’s equally cinematic, check into one of the self-catering cottages at the nearby Lingholm Estate – once a holiday home of Beatrix Potter, and the inspiration behind Peter Rabbit’s Mr. McGregor’s Garden.
Windermere
Britain’s largest natural lake is no stranger to the big screen. The Peter Rabbit films showcased its sweeping vistas and rolling countryside, inspired by the very landscapes that Beatrix Potter called home. Stretching for more than ten miles, Windermere offers countless ways to soak in the drama – take a heritage steamer cruise between Bowness, Ambleside and Lakeside, or rent a kayak for a more hands-on scene. Walkers can follow lakeside paths or hike up Orrest Head for a Lakeland panorama. Bowness-on-Windermere is packed with tearooms, boutiques and the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.
Carlisle Castle
When Outlander needed a location steeped in intrigue and history, Carlisle Castle was the one to fit the bill. This imposing Norman fortress has guarded the English-Scottish border for more than 900 years and was once home to Mary, Queen of Scots during her captivity. It’s witnessed everything from medieval sieges to Tudor power struggles. Your clients can explore the battlements, discover the mysterious carvings made by Jacobite prisoners, and step inside the eerie cells of its military past. The castle is just a short walk from Carlisle train station.
Kirkby Lonsdale
The historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale doubled as a fantasy village in Dolittle (2020), but its real-life charm is just as magical. Here, your clients can wander cobbled streets lined with independent shops, cafés and historic inns. Don’t miss the 14th-century Devil’s Bridge or Ruskin’s View, a landscape so captivating that both poet John Ruskin and painter J.M.W. Turner immortalised it. The surrounding area offers numerous scenic walking and cycling routes.
Coniston Water
Coniston Water is pure adventure. It’s where the 2016 Swallows and Amazons set sail, and where Miss Potter captured the beauty of author Beatrix Potter’s beloved Lake District. The third-largest lake in England, Coniston is fringed by fells and forest, with dramatic views of the Old Man of Coniston – a popular spot for hikers. Here your clients can rent canoes, paddleboards or electric boats to start off their own cinematic journey, or hop aboard the heritage steam yacht Gondola for a Victorian-style cruise.
getting there
Getting here: The Lake District and Liverpool are well connected by train, with services from Oxenholme Lake District to Liverpool Lime Street via Preston taking from two to three hours. By car, it’s a two-hour drive depending on your clients’ location in the Lake District.
Stop 3 - Liverpool
British Music Experience
Located in Liverpool’s Cunard Building, the British Music Experience is the UK’s only museum dedicated to celebrating British popular music. Spanning from 1945 to the present day, it showcases more than 600 stage outfits, instruments, handwritten lyrics, and multimedia exhibits. Your clients can explore memorabilia from legends like David Bowie, Queen and The Spice Girls, and engage with interactive displays such as the “Dance the Decades” studio and vocal booths. The museum also hosts live events, masterclasses, and temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Stanley Dock
Step into the world of Victorian sleuths, Edwardian street gangs and superheroes at Stanley Dock. Once a bustling hub of the Liverpool shipping trade, its massive Victorian warehouses and looming brick walls set the scene for Captain America, Sherlock Holmes and Peaky Blinders. One half expects to see Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby striding through the mist, cap pulled low and with a plan brewing. Today the area has been regenerated and houses stylish hotels and hip eateries. Wander around the docks, explore the nearby Tobacco Warehouse, and enjoy its array of waterside bars and restaurants.
St George’s Hall
First stop, St George’s Hall – a real-life blockbuster in stone and marble. When Fantastic Beasts needed a dash of magical grandeur, and The Batman needed gothic grit, they both found it here. Built in 1854, this neoclassical building boasts one of Britain’s finest Corinthian colonnades and a stunning mosaic floor made of more than 30,000 tiles. Wander its soaring halls and underground cells – one will half-expect Batman himself to swoop past the towering columns.
Cunard Building
The Cunard Building, built between 1914 and 1917, is one of Liverpool’s famous ‘Three Graces’ alongside the Royal Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. Originally the headquarters of the Cunard Line, a transatlantic shipping company, it stood in for New York in The Crown, lent its good looks to Taylor Swift’s ‘I Can See You’ music video, and also houses The British Music Experience. Keep an eye out for the sweeping staircases and vast halls while delving into musical heritage – they’re just made for dramatic entrances.
Royal Albert Dock
At Royal Albert Dock, the past and the present sit side-by-side. Doctor Who whirled its TARDIS across the cobbles here, and Top Boy gave it a gritty, urban edge. Your clients can explore the Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum, browse indie boutiques, or relax in one of the many waterside bars and restaurants, serving up cuisine including Catalonian tapas, Mexican tacos and middle eastern Inspired small plates.
Knowsley Hall
Knowsley Hall, just outside Liverpool, is a stately home steeped in aristocratic history and plenty of drama. Used as a Peaky Blinders filming location, this grand estate has been the ancestral seat of the Earl of Derby for centuries, boasting stunning gardens, woodlands, and a rare collection of historic artefacts. Visitors can join guided tours to explore the lavish interior and learn about the history of the hall. The estate also hosts events and seasonal activities throughout the year.
Croxteth Hall
Croxteth Hall, with its blend of Georgian and Victorian architecture, provided the backdrop for Outlander’s 18th-century scenes. This grand Liverpool estate invites visitors to explore its richly decorated rooms, walled gardens, and extensive parkland alongside a working farm. With woodland walks, seasonal events, and family-friendly activities, Croxteth Hall is just a 20-minute drive from Liverpool’s vibrant city centre.
Formby Beach, near Liverpool
Formby Beach, located near Liverpool, is not only celebrated for its natural beauty but also for its role in Peaky Blinders. The dramatic confrontation between Tommy Shelby and Alfie Solomons in Season 4 took place against the scenic backdrop of this coastal getaway. Known for its sandy dunes and heathland, Formby Beach is a designated National Trust site and is around 30 minutes from Liverpool by car or train.
Liver Building
It’s hard to miss it – the Liver Building looms large over the River Mersey, crowned by the two legendary Liver Birds, Bella and Bertie, as they are affectionately known. It’s not just Liverpool’s icon; it doubled as Gotham’s skyline in The Batman. Take a tour up to the clock towers and see why – from up there, the city looks ready for any amount of comic book chaos.
Port Sunlight, Wirral
Just across the River Mersey from Liverpool, Port Sunlight is a charming model village famed for its Arts and Crafts architecture and beautifully maintained green spaces. Having featured in Peaky Blinders, its quaint streets and period buildings offer a scenic setting for a leisurely stroll. Your clients can enjoy boutique shops, cosy cafés, and traditional afternoon teas at historic venues like the Lady Lever Art Gallery. The village also tells the story of industrialist William Lever and his vision for a harmonious community.
getting there
Getting here: Direct train services from Liverpool Central to Chester take around 40 minutes, with the journey taking around the same time by car.
Stop 4 - Chester
Chester City Walls
Walk the line – literally – along Chester’s City Walls, the longest and best-preserved Roman walls in Britain. Stretching for nearly two miles, they have watched over the city since AD 79. Stroll atop the stone battlements for unbeatable views of Chester’s historic streets, the River Dee, and lush parklands. Whether your clients are history-obsessed or just looking for a scenic city walk, the walls offer a unique way to step back in time without leaving town. As a bonus, there’s plenty of photo ops and fresh air included.
Chester Zoo
One of the UK’s most loved wildlife attractions, Chester Zoo is a conservation-led haven covering more than 125 acres and home to more than 21,000 animals representing 500 species. The zoo’s immersive habitats transport your clients from the rainforests of Madagascar to the wetlands of Southeast Asia. Featured in the documentary series The Secret Life of the Zoo, it offers up-close encounters with rhinos, elephants, flamingos, and much more. The zoo is around a 15-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride from Chester city centre.
Chester Rows
Chester Rows are a unique architectural feature of Chester. The charming medieval shopping street consists of a series of covered walkways on the first floor and at street level. These structures are present in each of the four main streets of Chester: Watergate Street, Northgate Street, Eastgate Street, and Upper Bridge Street. Dating from the medieval era, the Rows may have been built on top of rubble remaining from the ruins of Roman buildings, but their origin is still subject to speculation.
Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral, with origins dating back to the 11th century, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with its medieval arches, stained glass windows and ornate stonework. Beyond being a place of worship, it has played backdrop to British TV dramas and international productions, including The Black Prince (2017). Climb the tower for panoramic views or explore the cloisters for atmospheric photo opportunities.
Storyhouse
Storyhouse is Chester’s cultural powerhouse, located in a restored 1936 Odeon cinema. This Grade II-listed building has been transformed into a vibrant arts centre, featuring a main theatre, a studio theatre, a 100-seat boutique cinema, and the UK’s longest-opening public library. The venue hosts a diverse range of performances, including drama, opera, dance, and comedy, and offers a variety of independent and blockbuster films.
Chester Ghost Tours
When the sun dips, the stories get darker. Join a Chester Ghost Tour and follow a costumed guide through centuries of haunted history. It’s spooky, it’s theatrical – and it’s a unique way for your clients to see the city in a whole new light (or lack thereof).
getting there
Getting there: Chester is around one hour by train from Manchester city centre and around a 45-minute drive from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Stop 5 - Cheshire
Arley Hall
Arley Hall oozes elegance – and menace. Fans of Peaky Blinders will know it as Tommy Shelby’s mansion, but this stately home also played a role in Netflix thriller Fool Me Once. This Grade-II-listed country house is still a family home, with a history dating back 550 years. Your clients can explore its richly decorated Victorian interior, including the library, chapel and drawing room. Outside, its formal gardens stretch across eight acres, featuring topiary, herbaceous borders and peaceful woodland. It’s a top destination for period drama fans (and those in search of a perfect picnic spot). After a walk around the grounds, refuel at the Kitchen Garden Cafe with homemade cake, or look for souvenirs in the gift shop.
Lyme Park, Stockport
At Cheshire’s largest estate, Jane Austen fans can re-live the romantic (and memorable) lake scene when Mr. Darcy met Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.Lyme Park’s grand façade and windswept grounds were used in the BBC’s adaptation of the Austen classic. But there’s much more to see behind the lens. Set in the foothills of the Peak District, this National Trust property combines Elizabethan architecture with 18th-century polish. Your clients can roam the library, grand hall and opulent Drawing Room or head into the grounds to picnic where Elizabeth once walked or explore the deer park, lake, and walking trails. Lyme Park is a 40-minute drive from Manchester.
Tatton Park
Tatton Park is a blend of historic mansion, carefully manicured gardens, and film star. Its grand Georgian architecture and sweeping driveway have set the scene for Peaky Blinders and Stay Close. Beyond the screen, visitors can explore the 50-acre deer park, wander secret woodland trails, and visit the working farm, where livestock roams. Outside, your clients can wander through a Victorian walled garden, an Italian garden, and an arboretum. Seasonal events – from outdoor theatre to fairs – keep Tatton Park buzzing year-round.
Stockport
This Greater Manchester town has turned into a hotspot for gritty British drama, with Peaky Blinders, House of Guinness and Life on Mars all tapping into its industrial charm. Beyond the screen, Stockport offers a rich mix of history and culture. Explore the extensive network of underground air raid shelters – once a lifeline during WWII – for a unique glimpse into the past. Vintage lovers will appreciate the independent shops and markets, while foodies can enjoy numerous quirky cafés, craft breweries, and traditional pubs.
Jodrell Bank
Home to the 76 metre diameter Lovell Telescope (one of the largest of its kind in the world), Jodrell Bank is now a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrating its pivotal role in astronomy. The new First Light Pavilion, a grass-topped dome that mirrors the shape and scale of the dish of the Lovell Telescope, is a showstopper, housing an immersive gallery with interactive exhibits, and a curved auditorium. There’s also a changing programme of science talks, stargazing nights, and family events.
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Need a break from all the sightseeing? Cheshire Oaks is one of the UK’s largest designer outlets. With more than 150 boutiques offering up to 60% discounts on top brands – Coach, Mulberry, Nike, Levi’s and more – it’s easy to spend a few hours here. The open-air village layout makes it a pleasant stroll, and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants for your clients to recharge in.
getting there
Getting there: Cheshire is easily reached from both Chester and Manchester, with Arley Hall, Tatton Park and Lyme Park all less than an hour’s drive from Manchester Airport.
