Caught On Camera

If you’ve ever wondered where your favourite TV series was filmed, or been momentarily distracted by a stunning view in the background of a film and thought you’d like to go there, you are not alone. In fact, screen tourism is a growing phenomenon with more people than ever choosing to visit a location they’ve seen on screen. Whether you are inspired by the dramatic scenery or want to re-live your favourite screen moments you are in good company.

Lancashire’s historic buildings, countryside and seaside resorts have provided a backdrop for a wide variety of TV programmes and film, some you might have spotted and others that were cleverly disguised. Here's some to name but a few:

Three Men and a Little Lady – Stonyhurst College

Stonyhurst is probably most famous for its appearance in the 1990 film Three Men and a Little Lady sequel to ‘Three Men and a Baby’ starring Tom Selleck and Ted Danson. The production filmed exteriors of the College.  It was also featured in the Ghostly TV movie Tractate Middoth directed by Mark Gatiss.

The Trip – Inn at Whitewell And Hipping Hall

Bookings to the Inn at Whitewell and Hipping Hall (2016 Boutique accommodation of the year in the Lancashire Tourism Awards) went through the roof after Steeve Coogan and Rob Brydon visited during The Trip a six-part comedy Drama which saw the pair travelling around Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire posing as restaurant critics.

Brief Encounter – Carnforth Station

The granddaddy of all film locations Carnforth Station which posed as the Miltford Junction in the ultimate romantic classic Brief Encounters. David Lean’s classic 1945 film ranks second in the British Film Institute’s Top 100 ‘best british films’ list and has continued to capture the imagination of audiences for over 70 years. Interestingly, as it was filmed at the end of the second World War the Ministry of Transport chose the station as a film location because it was deemed safe from enemy fire, and filming took place at night so not to interrupt regular train services.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children - Various locations around Blackpool

You won’t miss Blackpool in the 2016 film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Look out for the Blackpool Tower and Circus, North Pier and the promenade in the Tim Burton blockbuster staring Samuel L Jackson. Tim Burton enjoyed his time filming in Blackpool that much that he switched on the illuminations in 2015.

 A Monster Calls – Rivington Pike and surrounding landscape of Chorley

Rivington Pike and the surrounding landscape near Chorley provided a suitably dramatic location for A Monster Calls, released in early 2017, starring Sigourney Weaver and Liam Neeson as the voice of the monster. It features the local Rivington landscape as the backdrop in several scenes, which were filmed back in October 2014. For the purposes of the film, the pike’s tower has been edited out and replaced with a house set amongst some trees but the landscape is still recognisable to people who know the area.

The Kings Speech – Queen Street Textile Mill
Did you spot Queens Street Textile Mill in the Oscar winning The Kings Speech and the TV drama an Inspector Calls?

Get Santa – Lancaster Castle
The prison only closed to inmates in 2011, was also used in the 2014 film Get Santa starring Jim Broadbent, and this part of the castle is now included on the guided tour if you’re interested to see the location in more detail.