4 TV and film set locations to visit in Northern England and the Midlands

Northern England and the Midlands are rich with atmospheric film locations, offering a striking blend of industrial heritage and pastoral scenery.

Canals and cobbled Victorian streets weave through storied cities that have set the scene for acclaimed dramas such as Sherlock and Peaky Blinders. While beyond the city limits, sweeping countryside, storied castles and dramatic coastlines have brought cinematic stories such as Harry Potter and Elizabeth to life in settings that blend history with imagination.

Inspired by VisitBritain’s latest global screen campaign #StarringGREATBritain, which showcases Britain as the real star of the show, here’s Connecting Travel’s four must-visit TV and film locations for a blockbuster travel itinerary.

1 Uncover the gritty charm of Digbeth where Peaky Blinders comes to life

Just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham’s main train station, Digbeth is the city’s creative quarter whose industrial past is still visible in its cobbled streets, railway arches and red-brick warehouses, a setting that inspired and featured in Peaky Blinders, the hit TV drama about 1920s gangsters. 

Digbeth’s lanes, courtyards and canal banks are splashed with colourful street art inspired by the Shelbys, and among them wanderers will find The Custard Factory, an industrial site turned creative hub filled with studios, independent boutiques and cafés. 

For Peaky Blinders’ enthusiasts, there are a number of tours that trace key sites, from the Peaky Blinders mural to the Gunmakers Quarter, and uncover stories of the real gangs and industries that inspired the show. 

Just a short train-ride from Birmingham, the Black Country Living Museum brings the show’s 1920s settings to life. Walk the same cobbles as the Shelbys, explore Charlie Strong’s Yard and step inside the Garrison Tavern, each location central to the series. Look out for special events such as Peaky Blinders Nights, which add music, stories and entertainment for an immersive experience. visitbirmingham.com and bclm.com