TV and Film Locations in Cheshire
In addition to Cheshire’s dramatic scenery and beautiful architecture, the county attracts a high number of visitors wishing to visit its famous film & TV locations. And with Farm Stay’s selection of quality farm-based B&Bs and self-catering cottages you can find the perfect base from which to explore the different places.
6 famous filming locations in Cheshire
Bunbury
A delightful village with many old cottages and narrow winding lanes, including Bunbury Watermill, which can still be visited today. Home to the impressive Church of Saint Bonifiace and a monument of Sir George Beeston, Bunbury makes an ideal stopping off place for country walks with several characteristic pubs and local amenities. Bunbury has been used as the location for Home Fires, the ITV British period drama about the life of the Women’s Institute. (known in the series as Great Paxford). The six-part series was inspired by the book Jambusters by Julie Summers with a second series planned for later in 2016.
Lyme Park, Disley
Once home to the Legh family, Lyme Park is now managed by the National Trust. In 1995, the BBC partly filmed their hugely popular television adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. The exterior of the hall was used as Pemberley, home of Mr. Darcy, and many will remember the iconic scene where Colin Firth as Darcy emerges from Lyme’s lake in a dripping white shirt.
Quarry Bank Mill, Styal
Quarry Bank Mill is one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution, now a museum of the cotton industry where visitors can still experience the sights, smells and sounds of steam and water-powered engines. Channel 4 visited the mill in 2013 to start filming period television drama, The Mill.
Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington
The Grade II listed Walton Hall was built in 1838 for Sir Gilbert Greenall, the first Baronet, MP and grandson of Thomas, founder of Greenall’s brewery. After Sir Gilbert’s death in 1894, the house was inherited by his son, Gilbert Greenall. A keen lover of agriculture, Gilbert helped to found the Royal International Horse Show and was largely responsible for rescuing the Royal Agricultural Show from collapse. The exterior of Walton Hall was used in the filming of 2014 BBC television drama, Our Zoo. Based on the true story of how George Mottershead set up Chester Zoo at Upton in the 1930s, the series visits various locations around Cheshire.
Village of Tattenhall
A quintessentially British village, Tattenhall sits eight miles south-east of Chester. ITV filmed a series of Foyle’s War at Tattenhall village in April 2014, as well as frequenting nearby Church Bank. These idyllic parts of Cheshire were the perfect locations to achieve the nostalgic feel of post-World War Two Britain, as both places are relatively untouched.
Capesthorne Hall, Siddington
Capesthorne Hall, visitors can visit the country house and browse its historical paintings, European antique furniture and 16th century stained glass windows. Exhibition rooms within the hall also provide a fascinating glimpse into Capesthorne’s history. Also, a wedding venue used for the wedding of Tracy Barlow and Rob Donovan of Coronation Street, screened on ITV in October.