Breathtaking Film & TV Locations

For generations poets, writers, artists, and photographers have flocked to the Lake District in search of inspiration for their artistic endeavours. It has been a natural set for a host of films, including The Witcher, Star Wars, Miss Potter, Snow White & the Huntsman and The A Word.

Place yourself in some of these famous TV and Film locations that we have created for you.

Image by Jordan Stimpson from Pixabay

Photo by James Qualtrough on Unsplash

The Witcher series 2, episode 3

The two entrances to the cave give the illusion of giant eyes.

Hodge Close Quarry is first seen during The Witcher series 2, episode 3 ‘What is Lost’ shortly after the fight that happens at Kaer Morhen keep. Geralt discovers that Eskel is a Leshy monster and so must end his life. Just before we see Geralt and Vesemir lay Eskel to rest in Morhen Valley, we see a scene of a skull reflection in Hodge Close Quarry lagoon.

The Witcher series 2, episode 3

Just after the skull reflection, Geralt and Vesemir discuss what happened to Eskel in the Hodge Close Quarry cave. The small stone circle seen in the image is where they lay Eskel’s body to rest.

FROM HODGE CLOSE CAR PARK 

You can easily visit this cave from Hodge Close car park and the viewpoint. Upon reaching the cave, you will find the stone circle where Henry Cavill and Kim Bodnia sat.

Photo by James Qualtrough on Unsplash

Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since the last 20th Century, Blea Tarn is a highly celebrated walking destination. Described as ‘the jewel in the crown of swimming spots in the Langdales,’ it is hardly surprising why it was chosen as a filming location.

EPISODE 2 'REDANIAN INTELLIGENCE'
 

Geralt is training Ciri on the Witcher Trials. They are both hopping across stones on a lake in Morhen Valley. This picture-perfect scene of the snowy mountains reflected in the water is Blea Tarn, near to Lowfield House. 

EPISODE 7 'VOLETH MEIR'

Blea Tarn is used again when Geralt and Jaskier travel with Varpin’s crew to find Yennefer and Ciri.

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

The Witcher series 2, episode 7 

Rydal Cave is where Jaskier takes a bath in episode 7 ‘Voleth Meir’.

Geralt releases Jaskier from Oxenfurt Prison. Then, Jaskier takes a bath while telling Geralt about Yennefer losing her powers. The riddle of the Deathless Mother is discussed by them both, and Yen has Ciri with her, with a plan to sacrifice Geralt’s child surprise to get her powers back.

VISITING DETAILS 

The cave is accessible by hopping over the steppingstones in the water in front of the cave. Turn around, and you will find a reflection that looks like a giant set of teeth.

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) stars Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth. Charlize Theron plays the evil Queen Ravenna, a raving mad monarch who sends a huntsman/hitman to capture her stepdaughter, Snow White, so she can gain immortality and everlasting youth.

Cathedral Quarry Cave is the backdrop for when the seven dwarves, the Huntsman and Snow White manage to sneak away from the Queen’s Riders. The magnificent, jagged cave is seen as they walk through it on their journey.

Cathedral Quarry & Cave is less than a mile from Lowfield House, so you can be at this spectacular location within 14 minutes on foot.

It is an extremely fleeting shot, but as the group continue their trek through the mountains, they walk single file on a ridge overlooking Blea Tarn. A gorgeous (albeit 3-seconds long) shot.

The Lake District was the backdrop to planet Takodana, but not recognisable at first, after much of the footage was edited with CGI to add additional mountains and features.

The Millennium Falcon was seen flying into the planet of Takodana, a digitally modified view from over Watendlath Fell looking north across a digitally enlarged Derwentwater.
 

Derwentwater is 23 miles from Lowfield House, so you can be at this spectacular location, and parked up at the National Trust Kettlewell Car Park in just over 3/4 hour.

[Google Maps]

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

The lake features in other parts of the film, as does Thirlmere reservoir, where you will see more X-Wing Fighters flying overhead [2015].

In another scene, Stormtroopers are seen attacking from a location that looks to be in the vicinity of Friar’s Crag, with the Resistance pilots flying in from the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ and across Derwentwater.

Photo by James Armes on Unsplash

Helen Beatrix Potter was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist. She is best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', which was her first published work in 1902. Her books, including 23 Tales, have sold more than 250 million copies.

Beatrix's books continue to sell throughout the world in many languages with her stories being retold in songs, films, ballet, and animations, and her life is depicted in the films 'The Tales of Beatrix Potter', in 1971, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' in 1991, and 'Miss Potter' 2016, filmed in the Lake District, plus a television series.

Yew Tree Farm, Coniston, located in the Yewdale valley,  a picturesque farmhouse built in 1690, was once owned by Beatrix Potter, and stars as her home Hill Top in the movie, Miss Potter [2016].

Keswick and Derwentwater, one of the main filming locations, this area was also the setting for a number of Beatrix’s books including Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. 

Tarn Hows and the surrounding land was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929 and is now owned by the National Trust.

LOCATION & DISTANCE 

With Yew Tree Farm just over 3 miles from Lowfield House, you can walk in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter after an hour's walk through picturesque countryside, or a 9 minute drive. Directions via  Google Maps

CONTACT DETAILS

Hill Top House, Near Sawrey, Ambleside, LA22 0LF

015394 36269

This road trip includes many of The A Word's incredible, scenic locations seen in the TV series, with a few 'must see' locations en-route, such as Lake Windermere, Rydal Water, Grasmere, Thirlmere Reservoir, Derwent Water, and Lake Buttermere. 

ROAD MAP at the bottom of this page.

The popular BBC drama series 'The A Word', written by BAFTA award winner Peter Bowker, starring Christopher Eccleston, set in a fictional Cumbrian town, is shot in various locations around the Lake District, such as Keswick, Coniston, Buttermere, Thirlmere and Kendal. Keswick, the Lake District market town that is surrounded by the stunning mountains of Skiddaw, is one of the key locations in the drama, so is Coniston, a Cumbrian village in the Furness region.  

The series follows members of the Hughes family after their son is diagnosed with autism.  

At the beginning of each episode in season one, friends pick up Joe at Honister Pass [image above] that has become the iconic location of the series, appearing many times during the show. 

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

Lake Windermere's northern shore at Waterhead is a mere 12 minutes drive from Lowfield House, and well worth the slight detour. Waterhead is the start of Windermere – the Lake District and England’s longest natural lake, at 10.5 miles long, one mile wide and 220 feet deep.

There are a number of bars, restaurants and cafes around the area, so you could indulge in a hearty breakfast before you start this road trip.

Photo by Jacqueline O'Gara on Unsplash

Whilst Rydal Water does not appear in the TV series 'The A Word', you can catch super views of it whilst driving past on its north side on the A591, within 7 minutes or so after leaving Waterhead. 

Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes at 3/4 mile long, 1/4 mile wide and with a depth of 55 feet, but its Wordsworth connections, and being the prettiest of Cumbria's lakes, make it very popular.

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

Only moments from Rydal Water, you will catch glorious views to the left of Lake Grasmere.

Grasmere Lake is one of the smallest lakes of the Lake District at 1 mile long, half a mile wide and 75 feet deep. It gives its name to the village of Grasmere, that is famously associated with the poet William Wordsworth, located immediately to the north of the lake.

Photo by Paul Berry on Unsplash

After having see the last glimpses of Grasmere Lake, within 4.5 miles/7.25 kilometres, views of Lake Thirlmere will be on your left.

Thirlmere Reservoir at 3.5 miles long, 1.2 mile wide and 158 feet deep, was originally two smaller lakes. The area was dammed with a dam whose greatest height is 104 feet, and the area became one vast reservoir.

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

After the final glimpses from the road of Lake Thirlmere, Birkrigg and Birkrigg Cottage in the Newlands Valley, that features prominently in the series as the Hughes family's home, is around a 26 minute drive away. The scenery from the cottage across the valley is breathtaking, with views of Catbells, High Spy, Dale Head and Robinson.

The area is also synonymous with Beatrix Potter's Mrs. Tiggywinkle, who lived in a tiny cottage in the valley.

MIDWAY PLACES OF INTEREST

You may find a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle and/or Keswick Market Town, both approximately 15 minutes from Thirlmere, a welcomed break.

Approximately 10 minutes from Birkrigg Cottage, Buttermere will be on your right. Buttermere is famous for its beautiful setting among the northern fells; its name meaning ‘the lake by the dairy pastures’.

Buttermere is 1.24 miles (2 km) long, 620 yards (570 m) wide and 75 feet (23 m) deep. It has been popular with visitors since tourism began in the Lake District. The area offers some of the best walking country in Cumbria. There is a footpath running round the perimeter of the lake too.

A very short drive after Buttermere, just before the start of Honister Pass, as the road declines and you pass Hassness Country House on your right, after a lefthand bend, there is an opportunity to park up should you wish to gaze upon Buttermere. A further 5 minute drive, you will reach the start of the Pass at Gatesgarth.

Honister Pass is said to be one of the best driving roads in Great Britain, with sensational views of the surrounding fells.

The pass is 5.95km (3.7 miles) long running east-west from Seatoller to Gatesgarth, connecting the Buttermere and Barrowdale valleys, with Lake Buttermere closeby, is one of Cumbria's highest passes. 

It will take most 15-20 minutes to drive without stopping, and there are plenty of spaces to stop to enjoy the beauty of nature from waterfalls to lovely mountain views, with Honister Slate Mine, England's only working slate mine, at the summit's pass.