TV shows filmed in Cumbria: Crime dramas to J.K Rowling

Award-winning directors and producers have flocked to the area over the years to produce some of the most famous shows on our screens.

As Christopher Eccleston - Doctor Who himself - once said: “I think it’s nice for a drama to be out of Manchester or Liverpool or London."

From long-running soaps to hit television dramas, here are just some notable TV shows that were shot in Cumbria:

Notable TV shows shot in Cumbria:

The A Word

A year ago today we arrived in The Lakes to shoot our S3 iconic image. It was so cold and rainy but we were told that the next day was forecast to be much better! It wasn't - we had torrential rain, hail, cold winds. But we got there! Thanks to these fabulous professionals! pic.twitter.com/Lyd65fDlET

— The A Word (@theaworduk) July 16, 2020

Written by BAFTA award winner Peter Bowker and starring Christopher Eccleston, it follows members of the Hughes family after their son is diagnosed with autism.

The show is set in a fictional Cumbrian town and was shot in various locations around the Lake District.

Keswick, Coniston, Buttermere, Thirlmere and Kendal are just a few to mention.

Speaking to Radio Times after filming, Eccleston said: “I think it’s nice for a drama to be out of Manchester or Liverpool or London.

“And we’ve been welcomed up there by the Cumbrians and it gives us a sense of community and a community you won’t necessarily always see on screen.”

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The Cuckoo’s Calling

(Steffan Hill/McAinsh)

The 2018 TV adaptation of J.K Rowling’s crime novels was partly filmed in Barrow.

Barrow Streets Devonshire Dock Hall, The Crow's Nest pub and Michaelson Road Bridge are all featured in the episode Career of Evil.

In the episode, Cormoran Strike poses the question, "Does anyone ever come to Barrow-in-Furness on holiday?"

In an interview with the BBC, J.K Rowling described Barrow as the “most extraordinary place.”

She added: “I wanted them to come from one of the pretty border towns, and my husband suggested Melrose and it was absolutely perfect. Barrow-in-Furness is the most extraordinary place. It’s a very distinctive, unique, urban, working city. I wanted a contrast."

You can catch up with all episodes on iPlayer.

Swallows and Amazons (1963)

This children’s TV series aired in 1963 and was based on the novel of the same name.

It followed the holiday adventures of two groups of children who are camping on an island in the Lake District.

Coniston Water

The BBC series was shot on Coniston Water in the Lake District.

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996-1998)

This series focused on a Lancashire housewife who knows a thing or two about solving crimes.

While it was primarily filmed in Lancashire, many scenes were filmed around Cumbria.

Kendal was an important location for the episode ‘Helping Hansi’, while other notable filming locations include Main Street in Egremont.

The Lakes (1997-1999)

As the title suggests, this series was primarily set and filmed in the Lake District.

It follows the life of Danny Kavanagh who starts a new life as a hotel porter in a Lakeland village.

It was principally filmed in and around Patterdale.

The Ullswater Hotel in Glenridding was also a notable backdrop for the show.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot

This series spanned 13 seasons on ITV viewers starring David Suchet. However, did eagle-eyed viewers ever spot the Cumbrian filming locations?

Several scenes were shot in Keswick and Windermere.

Langdale Chase Hotel in Windermere was featured on the show along with Low Wrey Farm.

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Station

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway station also featured in an episode.

Innocent

The first season of this ITV drama proved to be popular, garnering more than seven million viewers when it aired in 2018.

It follows the character of David Collins, as he desperately tries to rebuild his life after his conviction for the murder of his wife is overturned.

The four-part series opens with Sally Wright (played by Coronation Street’s Catherine Kelly), sitting in the dock of Carlisle Crown Court.

While most of it has been filmed in Ireland, camera crews have also been spotted in Keswick.

Keswick-based, Evergreens Florist, even spent the day creating a flower market stall for the new drama.

Coronation Street

The cobbled streets of this classic ITV soap are set in the fictional town of Weatherfield, Manchester.

However, some of the episodes and scenes were filmed right on our doorstep.

According to IMDB, Corrie once filmed at the Armathwaite Hall Hotel in Keswick.

Armathwaite Hall Hotel in Keswick.

This took place in episode 5054 which aired on the 12th of June in 2001.

While this particular episode is way back in the archives, you can still catch up with Coronation Street on ITV Player.

The Bay

The Bay may be set in Morecambe but many scenes were shot in various locations across Cumbria.

Several scenes for the first series were filmed at Whitehaven harbour, along with some at the derelict Grange Lido swimming pool in Grange-over-Sands.

If you love gritty crime dramas, then this is one to watch.

It follows the story of DS Armstrong who is on the hunt for teenage twins who have gone missing in the coastal town.

You can watch series 1-2 of The Bay on ITV Player.

Oliver Twist (1999)

There have been many adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic, but the 1999 mini-series was partly filmed in Cumbria.

The market town of Alston was transformed into a fishing village for the show.

Extras in the TV show were mainly locals from Alston.

Julie Walters, Keira Knightley and Isla Fisher are just some of the A-list names to have starred in the series.

Which is your favourite TV show to be filmed in Cumbria?