Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Lifestyle
Phoebe Barton

Manchester locations that feature in iconic films and shows, from Marvel blockbusters to TV classics

The film and television industry has used Manchester locations for decades to shoot scenes. The city centre and the surrounding areas have played a big part in iconic onscreen moments, from Marvel's Captain America to the BBC's Peaky Blinders.

It's always fun watching a film or TV show and recognising a location. We rewind and pause the scene, and immediately head to Google for any evidence to prove we’re right.

The MEN has looked back at a number of local locations that appear in scenes in films and shows that many of us walk past everyday. With props and greenscreens, some of the places can look very different, especially if they’ve been transformed to look like they’re from a completely different decade.

READ MORE:

Northern Quarter

Captain America filming in the Northern Quarter in 2010 (Manchester Evening News)

Captain America: The First Avenger completely transformed the Northern Quarter in 2010. The neighbourhood was used in a car chase scene set in 1940s New York, so the street used was covered with American street signs and cars. Most recently, Peaky Blinders took over the Northern Quarter to film, giving Mangle Street a 1920s makeover.

Manchester Town Hall

Manchester Town Hall in January 2018 (Mirrorpix)

One of the city’s most iconic buildings has appeared on screen various times. As well as having unique architecture and being steeped in history, the relatively short distance between the city centre location of the Town Hall and MediaCity makes it an ideal location for films and shows filming at the studios there.

In The Iron Lady, the building is used as the Palace of Westminster, with Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep) arriving at the Town Hall for one of her debates. Sherlock Holmes, which stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, filmed at the Town Hall with it doubling-up as the Houses of Parliament. Most recently, BBC drama A Very English Scandal also used the building for scenes set inside the Houses of Parliament.

Mayfield Road

The Fresh Meat student house at 28 Mayfield Road in Whalley Range (Manchester Evening News)

The student house in Channel 4 comedy-drama Fresh Meat where the main characters live is a real Manchester home on Mayfield Road in Whalley Range. The majority of internal scenes, however, are filmed in a TV studio.

St Bede's College

St Bede's College has appeared on screen numerous times (Mark Waugh)

Another Whalley Range location that has been a go-to filming spot for many production companies over the years is the grand St Bede's College. BBC show Clocking Off filmed at the school in the early 2000s, with classic films The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Jewel in the Crown also shooting on location here back in the day.

Victoria Baths

Film crews outside Victoria Baths in 2020 (Manchester Evening News)

Before Victoria Baths in the Chorlton-on-Medlock area closed for restoration, TV show Prime Suspect filmed at the Grade II* listed building in the 1990s. BBC’s Life On Mars also shot several scenes at Victoria Baths, with actors John Simms, Philip Glenister and Dean Andrews filming there.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Oxford Road, Manchester (Google Street View)

The 1960 film Hell is a City uses the rooftop of the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (formerly known as the Palace Hotel) on Oxford Street in an iconic scene. The Inspector follows Starling as he makes his way onto the roof, with a chase across numerous rooftops ensuing.

Canal Street

Filming Channel 4 drama Cucumber on Manchester's Canal Street. Pictured on set are actors Cyril Nri and Vincent Franklin, June 2014 (Jon Baxter)

The city centre street has welcomed various film crews over the years. Screenwriter and TV producer Russell T. Davies chose Canal Street as the centre location for a few of his TV shows, including Queer as Folk, Banana and Cucumber.

Have you spotted any other Manchester locations in films and TV shows? Let us know in the comments section below.

Join our Greater Manchester history, memories and people Facebook group here.

Love Greater Manchester's past? Sign up to our new nostalgia newsletter and never miss a thing.

Sign up to the MEN email newsletters to get the latest on sport, news, what's on and more by following this link

Read next:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.