The Cotswolds – UK’s answer to Hollywood?

We know the Cotswolds are beautiful, but the area might not immediately come to mind as a hub for film and television. Along with the better-known filming locations – think Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone at Gloucester Cathedral – Blockley, Tetbury, and Broadway have all featured in films and on TV screens. Whether it’s blockbusters on the big screen, or a long-running series on the small screen, you might just be surprised at the filming locations in and around the Cotswolds.

Northleach

This Country

The hit comedy series, This Country, propelled main characters and writers Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper to fame. Filmed primarily in Northleach, the series depicts life growing up in a small town in the Cotswolds. As well as making the characters famous, This Country has attracted hundreds of tourists who want to visit the This Country house, where many iconic scenes are filmed.

Are you a This Country fan? You might like a holiday in Hawthorn Cottage, a 6-minute walk from the This Country house.

Painswick

A Casual Vacancy

Filmed in various locations around the Cotswolds, including Painswick, Stroud, and Northleach, watch (or rewatch!) A Casual Vacancy for inspiration on where to visit in and around the quaint, honey-coloured towns in the area. Immerse yourself in village and country life at one of our beautiful cottages.

Second Severn Crossing near Bristol

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1

As we mentioned, visitors to Gloucester Cathedral may recognize it as part of Hogwarts, with several key scenes having been shot there… did someone say, ‘troll in the dungeon?’  However, a lesser-known filming destination for the boy-wizard and his friends is the Second Severn Crossing near Bristol, just outside of the Cotswolds. Featuring in Part 1 of The Deathly Hallows, the trio use the bridge as temporary refuge as they move around the country.

Take a look at our Bath and Bristol Guidebook to find other interesting attractions in the area.

Blockley

Father Brown

The quaint village of Blockley has seen its fair share of mystery and crime, but with Father Brown – the village priest – catching the ne’er-do-wells, the residents of Blockley remain safe… most of the time. Luckily, the real life Blockley is a peaceful and rural retreat which remains largely unspoilt. Stay in one of our beautiful properties in Blockley… if you dare!

Chipping Norton

Clarkson’s Farm

Love him or loathe him, the Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm has helped put Chipping Norton on the map. Showing off the beautiful Cotswold countryside in a way only he can, viewers watch as Clarkson struggles to successfully farm his land, all against a backdrop of stunning shots of Chipping Norton and the surrounding area. As well as showing off the beautiful countryside, nearby towns including Burford get a shout out on the show.

See our Chipping Norton Guidebook to find out more about the town.

Broadway Tower

Sherlock Holmes

Broadway Tower is a picturesque tourist attraction in its own right, but for fans of Sherlock Holmes, it might be even more significant. The tower is the second highest point in the Cotswolds and a great destination for visitors. It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out that there’s nothing elementary about our properties in Blockley, Watson…

Tetbury

Cider with Rosie

Tetbury is famed for royal connections, but did you know it’s also starred in the TV adaptation of Cider with Rosie? The acclaimed classic, written by Laurie Lee who lived in Slad in the Cotswolds, lends itself to the beautiful, sweeping countryside and to the grand Chavenage House, where many scenes were filmed. Along with Cider with Rosie, Chavenage House has been used as a filming location for many films and TV series’, including Lark Rise to Candleford, Dracula, Poirot, and Poldark. If you fancy recreating scenes filmed at Chavenage House, New Church Cottage is only 7-minutes away by car.

Bampton

Downton Abbey

Bampton serves as a double for the fictitious village of Downton in the hugely popular Downton Abbey series. With the beautiful surroundings of Bampton, and filming locations including Old Bampton rectory (Isobel Crawley’s house), the old Grammar School building (Downton Hospital), and Church View (The Grantham Arms and The Dog and Duck), we can see why Bampton would be the perfect village double for the affluent and rural Downton.

So, although the Cotswolds doesn’t have quite the same reputation for film and TV as Hollywood and LA, don’t be surprised if you see a famous face whilst out and about exploring the area!