Bristol on Screen: Iconic films and tv shows that have been shot in and around the city

With a number of striking landmark locations and excellent film studios, Bristol has long been established as a centre of film and TV production.

We all know the Skins watcher to Bristol Uni student pipeline, but there are loads of other iconic films and television series set in the city that you may have missed.

Bristol boasts the status of being a UNESCO City of Film, and won the impressive City of Film award at the 2024 Cannes festival – here’s a look at the city’s most standout productions.

Skins

Pretty much the whole of Skins is filmed in Bristol, and there are loads of locations dotted around the city that you will recognise. Freddie’s iconic entrance in series two sees him skating down Park Street. In an episode during series three, Cook gets everyone entry to an engagement party at Thekla by selling drugs, which ultimately ends in a massive bar brawl.

Brandon Hill was the setting of many of the key moments in Cassie and Sid’s relationship in series one. In a romantic moment at the end of the series, they sat on a bench at night looking over the city – the bench is now known as “Cassie’s bench” which you can find at the top of the hill near the Brandon Hill tower.

More locations include Carolina House in Kingsdown, which featured many times in season two as home to both Maxxie and his stalker, Sketch, and the Redcliffe Caves, the location of the rave in series three.

For hardcore fans,, you can find all the exact filming locations on this map.

Sex Education

Image Credit: Netflix

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Sex Education series four featured many locations around Bristol University.

Wills Memorial Library is used as a set for Maeve studying in a library abroad in the US, and the Chemistry building is used as a Canteen for Cavendish College, the new reformed college that is a replacement for Moordale High that existed in the previous seasons.

Lots of other scenes from the series were shot less than an hour away from Bristol, such as Otis’ stunning house in Symons Yat (the house is actually available to privately rent).

The Inbetweeners 2 movie

The film opens in Bristol, with Will (Simon Bird) getting into Bristol University and unfortunately not having the best of times. Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Clifton Observatory both feature, before the friend group travel to Australia to visit Jay on his gap year.

The Duchess (2008)

Bristol Old Vic is used as a stand in for London’s Theatre Royal, when the Duke and Duchess (played by Keira Knightley) visit the theatre.

This film has won both an Oscar and a BAFTA and includes many stunning settings that are selected around the country. A few other locations are in Bath, just a short train journey away.

Young Sherlock

Motive Pictures continuing to film "Young Sherlock" for Amazon Prime Video on Broad Street. Monday, 13th January, 2025. #bristol #filming #crewloc pic.twitter.com/pegSrHxVRY

— What's Filming In Bristol? (@bristol_filming) January 13, 2025

Many locations in Bristol feature in this up and coming series which is an adaptation of the original Sherlock Holmes series. Filming has been taking place over the last five months in locations such as St Nicholas Market, Queen’s Square and Portland Square. Filming is to continue in Cadiz, Spain and the series is expected to come out later this year on Amazon Prime.

Starter for 10 (2006)

Image Credit – BBC iPlayer

The film, starring James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch and Catherine Tate, the film is set at the University of Bristol. It follows Brian, a first year English student, as he begins preparing for University Challenge, whilst trying to settle into university life and navigate new relationships. Many of the scenes are shot at the university itself, but other locations are featured such as Bristol Temple Meads and Redcliffe Wharf.

Wolf Hall (2015)

Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn in Bristol Cathedral. Image Credit: BBC iPlayer

This BBC series is based on Hilary Mantel’s book, which depicts Oliver Cromwell’s life. The series has received high praise from critics and won at the BAFTAS and the Golden Globes. Bristol Cathedral is used as a double for Westminster Abbey and Harbour Wall features in the series.

The Pursuit of Love (2022)

Featuring Lily James and Emily Beecham this three part adaptation of the 1945 novel was filmed at Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol. Many of the sets featured were made at the studio here in Bristol, including recreations of parts of Paris including Gare Du Nord Station. Filming took place in the summer of 2020, when lockdown restrictions made it hard for large scale productions to travel and work.

Featured image via BBC iPlayer and Netflix.