Filmed in Stratford-upon-Avon: 6 famous movies & TV shows shot on your doorstep
Stratford-upon-Avon is world-famous for the stage, but did you know it’s also a favourite playground for the screen? With its Tudor architecture, rolling Warwickshire countryside, and grand manor houses, our corner of the world has doubled for everything from 1920s Birmingham to alien planets.
You don’t need to book a flight to Hollywood to walk in the footsteps of your favourite stars. Whether you are a fan of gritty crime dramas, sci-fi adventures, or cozy mysteries, some of the UK’s biggest productions were filmed right here on your doorstep.
Grab your camera and get ready for a close-up. Here is your ultimate guide to the filming locations of Stratford and Warwickshire.
1. Peaky Blinders
The Vibe: Gritty, 1920s gangster cool.
While the Shelby family runs Birmingham, the production team often ventured south into Warwickshire to capture the grand estates needed for the show.
Just 4 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon lies Charlecote Park. This stunning National Trust property was used extensively in the later seasons of the hit show. If you remember the scenes involving Thomas Shelby’s grand country estate, you were likely looking at the grounds of Charlecote.
The estate’s library and the famous “Long Gallery” have hosted Cillian Murphy and the cast, doubling for the interior of the Shelby manor.
2. Father Brown
The Vibe: Quintessential English village mystery.
The BBC’s smash-hit daytime drama Father Brown, starring Mark Williams (another Harry Potter alumni!), is practically a love letter to our region. While the fictional village is called “Kembleford,” the reality is a patchwork of local locations.
The beautiful village of Ilmington, just a short drive from Stratford, has featured prominently. Its honey-coloured cottages and rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop for the cycling priest. The production is so local that many residents have stories of bumping into the cast during filming breaks.
3. Doctor Who
The Vibe: Time-travelling sci-fi adventure.
The TARDIS has landed in Warwickshire more than once. Classic Who fans might know that the franchise has a long history here, but modern fans should head to the Lord Leycester Hospital in nearby Warwick.
This medieval gem (which looks very much like Tudor Stratford) was used in “The Shakespeare Code” episode, where David Tennant’s Doctor meets William Shakespeare himself. It’s a meta-moment for any local fan!
Furthermore, Ragley Hall (near Alcester) appeared in the episode “The Girl in the Fireplace,” doubling as the Palace of Versailles. It remains one of the highest-rated episodes in the show’s history.
4. The Crown
The Vibe: Royal prestige and drama.
When Netflix needed a location to double for Buckingham Palace and other royal residences, they looked to Warwickshire. Ragley Hall, the seat of the Marquess of Hertford, is grand enough to fool even the most eagle-eyed viewer.
The Great Hall at Ragley was used in Season 4 of The Crown. Its spectacular baroque plasterwork and vast scale make it a perfect stand-in for royal opulence. It’s open to the public during the summer season, so you can practice your royal wave on the very same steps used by the cast.
5. Rosie and Jim
The Vibe: Pure 90s childhood nostalgia.
If you grew up in the 90s, you’ll remember the ragdolls who lived on a narrowboat. Rosie and Jim wasn’t just filmed in a studio; they travelled the real waterways of Britain.
Many classic episodes were filmed right here on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. The iconic narrowboat, the Ragdoll, was frequently moored in the Bancroft Basin. Next time you are feeding the swans by the RSC, take a look at the narrowboats—you are standing on the set of a children’s TV classic.
6. Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
The Vibe: Light-hearted crime capers.
We couldn’t write this list without mentioning the show that puts Stratford front and centre. Unlike other shows that pretend to be somewhere else, Shakespeare & Hathaway plays it straight.
Filmed almost entirely on location in the town centre, you can spot landmarks in nearly every frame. The “office” used by the detectives is located on Chapel Street, and chase scenes often weave through the tourists on Henley Street. It is the ultimate “point at the TV and say ‘I’ve been there!'” show.
📸 Challenge: The Stratford Selfie Trail
Why not spend a weekend ticking these locations off? It’s a great way to see the history of the area through a modern lens.
- The Gangster Shot: Wear a flat cap at Charlecote Park.
- The Time Lord Shot: Run down the alleyway by Lord Leycester Hospital.
- The Detective Shot: Look suspicious outside the Tudor buildings on Chapel Street.
Have you spotted a film crew in town recently? With the new film tax credits attracting massive US productions to the UK, Stratford is set to see even more action. Keep your eyes peeled!
