A GUIDE TO FILMING LOCATIONS
IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Visit the places you’ve seen on the big and small screen
Colour Room image credit: Caspian Films
“The West Midlands has provided iconic backdrops for many of the television and film smash hits, which viewers have been glued to in their living rooms, on their smart phones and throughout our cinemas.
“For the first time, this new guide puts together the region’s eminent filming locations – past, present and future – in one place. I hope it encourages more “set jetters” to come and visit the West Midlands to put themselves at the heart of the filming action.”
Neil Rami, Chief Executive, West Midlands Growth Company
“I’ve always been proud of Birmingham and the wider region – for what it has achieved in the past and for its potential in the future.
“Exciting things are starting to happen here and we’ve got ambitious plans to make TV and movies on an international scale from our new Digbeth Loc. Studios.
“We’re setting up in the heart of, what was once, Peaky Blinders country. I want people to come and experience it for themselves and enjoy what a fantastic area this is.”
Steven Knight, British Screenwriter, Director and creator/writer of Peaky Blinders
“Birmingham and the West Midlands is fast becoming a prime location with leading national and international filmmakers, with Hollywood stars such as Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise recently calling the region home for filming projects.
“Our film and TV office Film Birmingham and the team at Create Central are busier than ever, welcoming more producers, cinematographers and crew to capture our destination on the big and small screen.
“All of this combined leads to a multitude of filming locations to enjoy and discover.”
Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands
“Whether it’s picturesque canal side settings, globally recognised geological heritage sites or bustling, vibrant town and city centre experiences, the West Midlands has a range of diverse and accessible landscapes for tourists to visit.
“The region has a great story to tell and there has never been a greater time to explore what we have to offer. Through our rich industrial heritage and our eclectic cultural mix of festivals, events and visitor attractions, we invite you to use this guide to explore and write your own magical script.”
Cllr Patrick Harley, Leader of Dudley Council
LOCATION ON
When visiting the West Midlands, there are some great destinations to visit that have been on the big and small screen.
BIRMINGHAM
Ready Player One – Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth
Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One – Grand Central
Kingsman: The Golden Circle –Colmore Row
American Assassin – Birmingham Council House
All that Glitters – Vittoria Street
The Colour Room – Victoria Square
Brassed Off – Town Hall
Screen and Film School Birmingham –Floodgate St
MasterChef (from autumn 2024)Digbeth Loc. Studios
Late Night Lycett – The Bond, Digbeth
Take me High – Birmingham Council House and Gas Street Basin
Felicia’s Journey – The Electric Cinema
DI Ray – Centenary Square
Christmas on Mistletoe Farm –Colmore Row
Champion – Selly Oak
Dark Mon£y – The Library of Birmingham, Millennium Point and Birmingham Hippodrome
Citadel – Chamberlain Square
Line of Duty – The Queen’s Arms, Jewellery Quarter
COVENTRY
Nativity – Coventry Cathedral
The Italian Job – Stoke Aldermoor
Three Little Birds – Spon Street
Phoenix Rise – City wide
Deep Fake Neighbour Wars – City wide
WOLVERHAMPTON
Small Axe – Goldthorn Avenue
How to Build a Girl – Warstones Estate
DUDLEY
Peaky Blinders – Black Country Living Museum
Rosie and Jim – Black Country canals
Danny and the Human Zoo –Dudley High Street
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
The Haunting – Ettington Park Hotel
Shakespeare and Hathaway – various
WARWICK AND LEAMINGTON SPA
Merlin – Warwick Castle
Stonehouse – Leamington Spa (Clarendon Square)
ACROSS THE REGION
Benediction – Chillington Hall, Wolverhampton; Himley Hall, Dudley
The Colour Room – Victoria Square, Birmingham; Winterbourne House & Garden, Birmingham; Cathedral Square, Birmingham; Black Country Living Museum
This Town – Horse & Coaches pub, West Bromwich; South Aston Church, Birmingham; Gravelly Hill, Birmingham; Coventry Cathedral, Coventry
My Name is Leon – Digbeth, Birmingham; Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham; Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham; Langley High Street, Oldbury
Stan & Ollie – Black Country Living Museum, Dudley; The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham
The Girl with All the Gifts – Church Street, Birmingham; Cannock Chase
Solihull
Coventry
Warwick and Leamington
Sandwell Walsall
Wolverhampton
Dudley Birmingham
Stratford-upon-Avon
As the home of the real Peaky Blinders, Birmingham has plenty to offer those who want to explore stories associated with the criminal gang. You can learn about the infamous mobsters, and others, during guided walking tours, or experience one of two official Peaky Blinders escape rooms - The Raid and Double Cross - where you can see if you’ve got what it takes to be part of the gang.
BIRMINGHAM LOCATION:
Chamberlain Square
Oozells Square
FUN FACT
The first celluloid was made in Birmingham in 1855
Another area where you can get close to the action is Digbeth. With the most amazing gritty street art, it’s a hub of creativity and home to Digbeth Loc Film and TV Studios, where parts of the feature film spin-off of Peaky Blinders will be produced.
The studio, spearheaded by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is also where his prime-time BBC drama This Town was made. MasterChef moved there in 2024 too so there’s always something new to see.
As well as hit TV programmes, the city has been the backdrop in Hollywood blockbuster movies with buildings like the Old Rep and Town Hall acting as alternatives to other destinations during shoots.
Another place which certainly inspired one famous former Birmingham resident is Sarehole Mill, not far from the city centre. J.R.R. Tolkien drew on life in south Birmingham when writing the books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, which have been turned into hugely popular film series.
You can visit Sarehole Mill, which is a museum with a permanent Hobbit exhibition, and is the start of a guided Tolkien Walk in the city. A must for lovers of the Shire.
COVENTRY LOCATION:
The film series that put Coventry on the cinematic map is the Christmas classic Nativity! The climax of the first film is set against the backdrop of the Coventry Cathedral ruins.
Open daily and free to visit, the Cathedral was bombed in the Coventry Blitz during the Second World War, when much of the city was destroyed.
Coventry Cathedral
Away from Nativity!, Coventry has also been recognised as the place where arguably the most famous car chase scene took place – the underground Mini race in The Italian Job.
We wouldn’t recommend a trip down the sewer where it happened, but there is a blue plaque marking the spot in Stoke Aldermoor.
Coventry Transport Museum
WOLVERHAMPTON LOCATION:
Wolverhampton, with its rich cultural diversity, celebrates the newest talent in the industry.
It is home to the Wolverhampton Screen School, which teaches skills in digital arts and media, and offers courses in everything from Computer Games Design to Film and TV Production.
Every year, the city celebrates the Wolverhampton Film Festival where budding filmmakers have the chance to screen their latest work.
Wolverhampton is also home to an art gallery that boasts one of the finest collections of Pop Art in Europe, which is well worth a visit.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Wolverhampton Screen School
DUDLEY LOCATION:
There are several iconic Peaky Blinders locations at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.
The open-air museum transports visitors back to the streets of the 1920s and 30s where you can visit the museum’s pub for a pint of real ale, head to the yard and visit the Blacksmith’s Shop, Ironworker’s Office and Workers’ Institute & Café.
For true fans, the Peaky Blinders Nights at the attraction are unforgettable – where you’ll step into the smoky underworld to encounter some of Birmingham’s most notorious gangs.
For a slower pace (and lighter tone), there are other places of note in the area. The Red House Glass Cone and the canal network featured on the popular 90s children’s show Rosie & Jim, and Dudley Zoo & Castle has featured on a variety of small screen series over the years.
Dudley Castle
Black Country Living Museum
LOCATION:
STRATFORDUPON-AVON
When you visit Stratford-upon-Avon, you can immerse yourself in the life of William Shakespeare, whose plays have been adapted into hit movies and TV shows for decades.
Key places to visit include Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre where you can experience his family life and see famous actors and actresses treading the boards.
During your visit, if you’re a fan of the BBC TV mystery series Shakespeare and Hathaway, keep an eye out across the town for lots of locations from the show.
FUN FACT
Teletubbies,
In the Night Garden and Tots TV were made by Ragdoll Productions in Stratford-upon-Avon
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
LOCATION:
WARWICK AND LEAMINGTON SPA
Warwick Castle has been the star of many shows, but it’s the tales of betrayal, bloodshed, and murder that you’ll hear there that’ll beat the drama of any movie.
With live action performances, special events and kid friendly attractions, there is so much to see and do at the Castle – you can even spend the night there in the new Warwick Castle Hotel or Knight’s Village Glamping!
Just up the road from Warwick is Leamington Spa, where you can experience the Regency feel of a costume drama thanks to the architecture of the townhouses and the grandeur of the Pump Rooms. The Jephson Gardens are also ideal for a promenade as per the Regency era (chaperone not required!).
West Gate, Warwick
A-LISTER
IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
• Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter: With 700 jewellers, you can get that diamond look here: jewelleryquarter.net
• The Mailbox, Birmingham: For designer brands, visit Harvey Nichols and use the Style Concierge team for a makeover: mailboxlife.com
• Land Rover Experience, Solihull: Explore challenging terrain to drive like an action movie star: experience.landrover.co.uk
• Leather Museum, Walsall: Famous for its leather, like the Launer handbags worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Dame Judi Dench. Find out more about Walsall’s craftmanship here: walsall-leather-museum
• The Belfry: Play a round of golf on this famous Ryder Cup venue, or enjoy a spa day: thebelfry.com
Jewellery Quarter
Walsall Leather Museum
WHERE TO EAT
• Dirty Duck, Stratford-upon-Avon: Often frequented by performers from the RSC: dirtyduckstratford
• Asha’s, Birmingham: Hollywood A-listers, musicians and Bollywood stars have enjoyed the Indian cuisine here: ashasbirmingham.co.uk
• West Midlands’ Michelin-starred restaurants: Home to eight Michelin-starred restaurants, including the 2* Opheem, the region offers fine-dining at its best: visitbirmingham.com/food-and-drink/michelin
• Gourmet Food Kitchen, Coventry: An intimate chef’s table experience for 12 guests awaits: gourmetfoodkitchen.co.uk
• Toffs at Hogarths, Solihull: Quintessential fine dining from acclaimed local chef Rob Palmer: hogarths.co.uk/solihull/toffs-at-hogarths
Simpsons
Opheem
The Belfry
WHERE TO STAY
• The Grand Hotel, Birmingham: Welcoming royalty and rock stars for decades: thegrandhotelbirmingham
• Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry: A historic hotel which has hosted several well-known names, you can find out who here: coombeabbey
• Mount Hotel, Wolverhampton: Wolverhampton’s luxury hotel where you may spot a footballer or two: themount.co.uk
• Fairlawns Hotel and Spa, Walsall: Relax in this family run hotel and be treated like a VIP: fairlawns.co.uk
• Hampton Manor, Solihull: A 45-acre estate, which includes the recently Michelin-starred Grace & Savour restaurant: hamptonmanor.com
WHERE TO PARTY
• The Officers Mess Cocktail Bar, Stratford-upon-Avon: A bar that’s straight from a black and white movie set with staff dressed in 1940s attire and cocktail mixologists shaking away: officers-mess.co.uk
• The Botanist, Coventry: Enjoy live music every weekend, where you can dance the night away: thebotanist.uk.com/locations/Coventry
• Sky Bar & Restaurant, Resorts World, Solihull: With a ‘Cocktail Kitchen’ dedicated to the art of great cocktails, expect the perfect combination of flavour and looks: resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk
• Digbeth night scene, Birmingham: You never know who to expect during a night out in the city’s creative district: Digbeth.com
• Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Birmingham: Remarkable views across the city and eye-opening cocktails: thecube.co.uk
Sky by the Water
Digbeth
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar
SCENIC BACKDROPS
Across the West Midlands you can visit plenty of beautiful movie-style backdrops for your own photo moment. Here are some of the best for you to head to (locations depicted from left to right):
• Hope Coppice (Solihull)
• Sandwell Valley Country Park
• Walsall Arboretum
• Knowle Locks (Solihull)
• St Peter’s Church (Wolverhampton)
• Ryton Pools (Coventry)
FILM
IN THE REGION WHY
Birmingham and the West Midlands has backdrops for every kind of broadcast opportunity.
From picturesque rural and canalside scenes to busy city centre settings, the region offers a diverse range of cinematic landscapes. Accessible, adaptable and welcoming, there is an array of location opportunities which makes the West Midlands a world in one region.
The West Midlands Growth Company media team can support domestic and international broadcast teams and media visiting the West Midlands who are looking for backdrops and spaces to film in a variety of public and private spaces.
The media team works closely with Create Central and Film Birmingham, Birmingham City Council’s Film and Television office, which handles a range of enquiries for international and domestic productions and distributes filming, photography
FUN FACT
Perry Barr saw the first ODEON cinema open in 1930
The West Midlands is one of the most well-connected regions in the UK, so it couldn’t be easier to get here, whatever your mode of transport.
HOW TO GET HERE
BY AIR
More than 500 global destinations are connected to the West Midlands by air from Birmingham Airport. Located next to Birmingham International Train Station, visitors can step off the plane and be connected to the wider region by rail with ease.
BY RAIL
Birmingham city centre has three main-line railway stations, providing fast and frequent connections to local and national destinations with West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway and Avanti West Coast Trains.
BY ROAD
Set at the heart of the UK motorway network, Birmingham and the surrounding region is linked by the M5, M6, M40 and M42, while the A34 and A38 further add to your options and the M1 is less than 30 minutes away connecting you to the north and south of the UK.
GETTING AROUND
Public transport is widely available in the West Midlands with local rail travel, a Metro network and regular bus services (and not forgetting the canals) all on offer.
FUN FACT
Birmingham’s eclectic Flatpack Festival, which takes place annually each spring, celebrates film in all shapes and sizes
Coventry
Bromsgrove
Rugby
Warwick and Leamington
Cannock Chase
Redditch
Tamworth
Sandwell Walsall
North Warwickshire
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Wolverhampton
Wyre Forest
Stratford-upon-Avon
