The Lake District, Cumbria On Film

With its dramatic landscapes, the Lake District, Cumbria has been the location for more than a few movies and TV series – from Hollywood blockbusters to Netflix originals. If you’re a film fan, read on to discover some of the locations used for filming across the county.

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

Released back in December 2015, Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens features the Lake District as one of its filming locations. As the Millennium Falcon flies into Takodana, the view below is of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite. The two waters were digitally combined to create the forested planet, with mountains like Skiddaw featured in shot.

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Miss Potter

Starring one of the Lake District, Cumbria’s best-known figures, the 2006 biographical film Miss Potter tells the tale of Beatrix Potter and her journey to becoming a successful children’s author and illustrator in Victorian England. Potter lived much of her life in the Lake District, with a number of attractions open today honouring her memory.

Filming took place at several locations, including Loughrigg, Grasmere, Loweswater and Coniston. The Rum Story in Whitehaven acted as the location of William Heelis’ offices, while the Arten Gill Viaduct – featured as Miss Potter travels away from London - can be crossed on the Settle to Carlisle railway.

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The Witcher

Released in 2022, the second season of Netflix’s The Witcher includes a few recognisable Lake District locations. Blea Tarn and Rydal Caves are two notable places featured in the series, their other-worldly beauty providing the perfect setting for the fantasy world.

The show’s star Henry Cavill even shared how much he enjoyed his time in the Lakes, writing on Instagram “This place has just stormed into my top 3 favourite places in the world. Absolutely love it.”

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Peter Rabbit

Another film themed around Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit stars James Corden as perhaps the author’s best known and loved character. Plus, 2022 sees 150 years since Peter Rabbit first came to life in print – so there’s never been a better time to visit! Ambleside and Windermere both feature in the movie; the nearby World of Peter Rabbit attraction in Bowness is a great place to go to learn more about the popular illustrated character.

You can also discover Beatrix Potter’s Lake District on a Mountain Goat tour: their half day ‘Beatrix Potter’s Favourite Countryside’ tour takes in a number of locations associated with the author.

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Swallows and Amazons

Follow the adventures of an intrepid group of young adventurers in the 2016 film Swallows and Amazons, based on Arthur Ransome’s novel of the same name. With the book based in the Lake District, Cumbria, it is perhaps no surprise that scenes from the movie were filmed here too.

Among other locations, filming took place on Coniston and features Peel Island as the movie’s ‘Wild Cat Island’, reached by the children by boat.

You can enjoy your own adventure on the water with boat hire at Coniston Boating Centre. Or, enjoy a trip on Steam Yacht Gondola, which glides across the water and stops off at Brantwood where you can enjoy tea and cake overlooking the water.

Derwentwater and Tarn Howes were also featured in the film, with the premiere being held at the Theatre by the Lake.

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The Voyage of Dr Dolittle

The market town of Kirkby Lonsdale was transformed into Victorian era Britain for a chase scene in Dolittle: a fantasy film about Doctor Dolittle, who discovers he can speak to animals. The film’s stars, including Robert Downey Jr., were on location for filming in the Cumbrian town. It’s a great place to visit while discovering Cumbria’s part of the Yorkshire Dales, with cobblestone streets and a whole host of independent shops and eateries.

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Snow White and the Huntsman

Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth, Snow White and the Huntsman is based on the original Grimm fairy tale. A number of scenes were filmed right here in the Lake District, Cumbria, with locations like Cathedral Cave and Blea Tarn featuring in the 2012 movie.

Fancy a film tour of the Lake District, Cumbria? Why not stay a few days and discover a few of these locations in one visit. Book your perfect place to stay here.

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