Filming locations in the Peak District

The Peak District offers an unforgettably scenic experience for all of its visitors, making it the perfect backdrop for a variety of TV and film genres. Read on to see if you recognise any of these filming locations…

The beautiful moors and open heaths, hills and lakes of the Peak District have inspired authors and filmmakers alike to set their stories here. Classic stories like Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre or Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice were either fully or partially set on the moors or inspired by one of the stately homes like Chatsworth House or Haddon Hall. So it’s only natural that filmmakers would follow suit.

It’s not just the classics that have employed the Peak District as a backdrop for their stories; the remote location has drawn in filmmakers with darker tales to tell as well, so in this list you’ll also find a few horrors in amongst the Gothic romances.

Chatsworth

Chatsworth Estate dominates the filmmaking activity in the Peak District region. Chatsworth House has doubled for Pemberley in the Pride and Prejudice film and TV adaptations. It also features prominently in the 2013 TV production, Death Comes to Pemberley – a curious sequel to Pride and Prejudice.

Where else does Chatsworth feature?

• Pride and Prejudice (Dir. Joe Wright 2005) starring Keira Knightley.
• The Duchess (Dir. Saul Dibb 2008) starring Keira Knightley.
• The Princess Bride (Dir. Rob Reiner 1987) starring Carey Elwes and Robin Wright.
• The Wolfman (Dir. Joe Dante 2010) starring Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins.
  
  

You can read more about this stately manor in our guide to Chatsworth. 

The Hope Valley

The open spaces of the Hope Valley have proved to be a massive draw. The Hope Valley occupies the area furthest north and, even though it’s the least populated, lots of films have been shot here. There is so much beauty to find in the Hope Valley so why not check out our guide to the area and plan other things around being a set jetter? 

Which films feature the Hope Valley?

• Pride and Prejudice TV adaption (1995) - find the loch where Mr Darcey (Colin Firth) dives in and comes out dripping wet.
• The Awakening (Dir. Nick Murphy 2011) - you can get a better look at Lyme Park in the potent ghost story.
• When Did You Last See Your Father? (Dir. Anand Tucker 2007) - The Snake Pass, which was voted as the UK’s favourite driving road, features in the sad story starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent.
• The Dam Busters (Dir. Michael Anderson 1955) starring Richard Todd and Micheal Redgrave.
  
  

If you fancy coming to stay in this area where great films were shot, then check out our collection of Hope Valley cottages to use as a homely base. 

Dovedale

Dovedale fits most people’s idea of how they imagine the Peak District to appear. This is probably why the makers of the series Peak Practice picked Longnor for the later series, although it’s filmed all across the National Park. 

Where else does Dovedale feature?

• The Holding (Dir. Susan Jacobson 2011) starring Terry Stone.
• The Lair of the White Worm (Dir. Ken Russell 1988) - Thor's Cave features heavily in this classic starring Hugh Grant and Amanda Donohoe.
• The Other Boleyn Girl (Dir. Justin Chadwick 2007) - keep an eye out for Lindale and IIam Hall.
• Robin Hood (Dir. Ridley Scott 2009) - also features Lindale and IIam Hall.
• Elizabeth (Dir. Shekhar Kapur 2008) – partially filmed at Haddon Hall.
  
  

If you fancy staying around Dovedale to explore these film locations for yourself then check out our collection of Dovedale self-catering cottages. 

Chesterfield

Chesterfield proudly holds one of the most romantic scenes in television with the 2005 production of Pride and Prejudice using Stanage Edge above Hathersage for the setting of a romantic scene between Elizabeth Bennet and Mark Darcey. This is one of the most famous viewpoints and treks in the area.

Who else used this area in film sets?

• Dead Man’s Shoes (Dir. Shane Meadows 2004) – filmed in and around Matlock Bath and Bonsall.
• Skeletons (Dir. Nick Whitfield 2010) – also filmed in and around Bonsall and Matlock Bath.
• Women In Love (Dir. Ken Russell 1969) – filmed in Matlock and Kedelston House.
  
  

If you want to come and experience some of the places seen on screen why not base yourself in a Chesterfield cottage and make an occasion of it? 

Carsington Water

Early episodes of Peak Practice were produced in the towns and villages of Belper, Crich and Frithley before moving westwards to Longnor.

So, as you can see, the Peak District is not just about Jane Eyre and Mr Darcy, although we love both books and those characters. All kinds of films and TV series have been made up here including spooky horrors, mad-cap comedies and revenge thrillers. It’s certainly inspirational. See how many famous spots you can recognise on your next trip to the area. 

Stay in a self-catering cottage near Peak District filming locations

We have a very broad selection of holiday cottages across the Peak District to suit everybody, no matter what your taste in films may be. Whether you are a family of film buffs or a couple who love the silver screen, we have cottages of all shapes and sizes that can offer the perfect base for your set-jetting holiday! Family cottages, cottages for two and group holiday homes are mixed in with dog-friendly cottages too!