Listed buildings in the world of film and TV

By Abode Insurance

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Listed properties are known for their historical interest, beauty, and character – so it’s not surprising that they’re a popular choice for use in the big world of film and TV. Here’s a list of just a few you might recognise…

Arley Hall

Arley Hall is a Grade II listed country house in Cheshire which was used as the ‘Shelby’ residence in seasons three to five of popular series, Peaky Blinders. In the series, the exterior of the building is often used for gloomy shots, heightening tensions in the storyline.

In real life, the property and grounds have been home to Viscount Ashbrook and his family for over 500 years and are open to the public daily. Find out more here: Arley Hall & Gardens | Northwich, Cheshire.

Victoria Baths

Grade II listed Victoria Baths was used in season two of Peaky Blinders, when main character Tommy Shelby is seen taking his family to a horse fair. Manchester’s Victoria Baths was used as the auction ring for the horses to be paraded around and was cleverly disguised with sawdust laid down on the floor of one of the pools to hide its real identity.

The former swimming baths are open to the public from March to November – find out more here: www.victoriabaths.org.uk.

Dover Castle

Situated in Kent, Dover Castle is Grade I listed and offers a huge selection of medieval to WWII interiors and exteriors. From miles of underground tunnels to breath-taking coastal panoramic views, this medieval castle is packed with opportunity.

It has been featured in films such as Into the Woods and Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, and you might recognise parts of it as the Tower of London in TV series Wolf Hall (2015).

With plenty of activities to do there, you can make a great day out for the family at Dover Castle. Find out more about visiting here: Visit Dover Castle | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk).

Eltham Palace

Found in Southeast London, Eltham Palace is a large house consisting of a Grade I listed medieval great hall and a later art deco extension. The surrounding park and gardens are Grade II* listed. With its unique blend of medieval and art deco interiors, it’s no surprise that the house has facilitated many film & TV projects including The Crown and ITV’s Jekyll and Hyde.

You can explore the 19 acres of award-winning gardens and step inside the striking art deco mansion from £16 per adult. Find out more: Eltham Palace and Gardens | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk).

Alnwick Castle

Grade I listed Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is most recognisable as “Hogwarts” from the first two Harry Potter movies – you might remember Harry learning to ride a broomstick right outside. The castle can also be spotted in Downton Abbey, Transformers: The Last Knight, and many more films and TV shows.

The property is home to Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland and his family – however, they only occupy part of the building because the castle is open to the public throughout the summer. After Windsor Castle, it is the second largest inhabited castle in England.

If you’re a Happy Potter fan, you can take part in a training session to learn “How to ride a broomstick” in the very spot where Harry had his first lesson. You can get your tickets here: Home | Alnwick Castle.

Royal Naval College

Considered an architectural masterpiece, the Royal Naval College in Greenwich can be seen a lot on the big screen, including in Les Misérables, The King’s Speech, and The Golden Compass.

The Royal Naval College has been in use for centuries. Starting as the Palace of Placentia, the site was then converted into the Greenwich Hospital. After this, it was used as a training site for the Royal Navy before finally being taken over by the Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College.

To take a trip back in time 600 years, you can start here: History Worth Exploring – Old Royal Naval College (ornc.org).

Listed buildings give us a magnificent insight into what life was like in the past and it’s so important that these sites are protected at all costs. It’s easy to see why these buildings feature in film and TV, and it’s a great way to bring them to our attention, ensuring future generations can enjoy them too.

Contact Abode today on 01622 476433 for a chat or a free quote.

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