Eagle-eyed viewers can spot many Bristol locations in BBC’s Sherlock.
Bristol has been visited by numerous Doctor Whos throughout the years.
Only Fools and Horses may be set in London, but features shots of Bristol.
From blockbuster movies to classic sitcoms, Bristol is a favoured filming location – with some of Britain’s most-loved television programmes and feature films shot in the city.
Not only is Bristol home to The Bottle Yard Studios, which has produced everything from BBC drama, Poldark, and Noel’s popular game show, Deal or No Deal, to name just a few, but the city’s outdoor locations have also proved consistently popular for film crews too.
Here are some of SoBristol’s favourite productions filmed in Bristol…
While comedy classic, Only Fools and Horses, was set in the country’s capital city, numerous episodes were filmed in the streets of Bristol, which doubled for Peckham. Most famously, Whitemead House became known among fans of the show as Nelson Mandela House, Del Boy and Rodney’s home.
Channel 4’s cult teen show, Skins, was as famous for its rolling shots of Bristol as it was for the dramatic storylines. Being set and primarily shot within the bustling streets of the city, countless iconic locations were caught on camera including Vauxhall Bridge, College Green and Bristol Airport, among many more.
Local fans of the world’s most famous detective were giddy with excitement when the crews of Sherlock set up in Bristol – filming in numerous locations including Goldney Hall’s Orangery, which set the scene for Watson’s wedding and Sherlock’s emotional best man’s speech; not to mention the 2015 Christmas special, which features many-a-scenes shot across the city.
Bristol Cathedral provided a stunning setting for Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, with the Nave acting as Westminster Abbey, in addition to the Chapter House and the Eastern and Elder Lady Chapels doubling for the period Tudor scenes.
What’s more, fans of the hit BBC drama have the chance to follow the Wolf Hall trail through the Cathedral and explore the historic filming spots for themselves.
While fan’s of ITV’s acclaimed drama, Broadchurch, will know Dorset was the show’s main filming location, they might be surprised to hear that Clifton also played a central role in the programme – with Hill Road becoming Broadchurch High Street and an empty shop being used for the Broadchurch Echo office.
Several different Doctor Whos have visited Bristol over the years, with Matt Smith heading the cast for the 2012 Christmas special, The Snowmen, which transformed St Nicholas Market area and Portland Square into 19th century Victorian London.
Supernatural drama, Being Human, saw a werewolf, vampire and a ghost roaming the streets of Bristol, with filming taking place across various locations including the iconic Christmas Steps and Clifton Observatory Rocks.
Comedy sequel, The Inbetweeners 2, beamed Bristol onto the big screen, including eye-catching shots of Brunel’s Suspension Bridge and Bristol University, where Will is an unpopular student.
The crew from BAFTA award-winning comedy, Truly Madly Deeply, starring Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman, visited Bristol in the early 90s for filming, with scenes taking place at Bristol University and the beautiful Clifton suburbs.
Another cult classic, the BBC comedy, The Young Ones, featured many exterior shots filmed in Bristol spanning Gloucester Road, Broadway Road, Westbury Park, and many more.
Fans of the show can even reminisce about their favourite antics at Scumbag University by taking The Young Ones walk, which weaves through a number of recognisable filming locations.
James McAvoy starred in Starter for 10 as a student about to embark upon his first year at Bristol University, with the film featuring a number of the city’s hot spots including Temple Meads Station, Bristol University and Royal York Crescent, which played home to McAvoy’s flat.
Oscar-winning film, The Duchess, was shot at locations across the UK, with eagle-eyed locals able to see Bristol’s Old Vic Theatre which played a part in the period movie.
The BBC’s long-running Casualty brought endless emergencies and melodramas to the streets of Bristol, which was its filming home for more than 25 years – with memorable locations including the Harbourside, Clifton Suspension Bridge, and countless city spots.
Channel 4 comedy, Teachers, featured local Bristol schools which provided a real-life location for the show and set the scene for the comic dramas facing school staff; in addition to areas of Clifton also featuring in the programme.
The three-part BBC drama adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s first adult novel, The Casual Vacancy, included Bristol among its many filming locations, with Silbury Road in Ashton Vale featured as the story’s pivotal landmark The Fields.
By Kathryn Godfrey
Which of your favourite films and television programmes have been shown on screen? Have your say by leaving a comment below.
© SoBristol
Wednesday 20 January 2016
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