Fifty Years of Film & TV in the Lake District, Cumbria: Part 2

The Lake District, Cumbria, has featured in countless film and TV productions across the years – from Hollywood blockbusters to British TV series. With Cumbria Tourism celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, in this two-part series we're taking a look back at a few highlights from half a century of film and TV, with locations across the county.

---

2012 - Snow White & the Huntsman 

Starring Hollywood big-hitters 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.

---

2014 - Outlander, Season 1

In 2014, Carlisle Castle featured as a key setting in the first season of Outlander, based on author Diana Gabaldon’s historic time travel books. Fans will recognise it as the courtyard where Jamie and Taran MacQuarrie stand, waiting to be hanged.

Standing at over 900 years old, Carlisle Castle has stood witness to several historic events including the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots. Today, it is managed by English Heritage and welcomes visitors to discover its rich history and heritage.

---

2015 - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Released 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.

---

2018 - Peter Rabbit

Ambleside and Windermere both feature in Peter Rabbit, starring the voice of James Corden. Learn more about the popular illustrated character at the nearby World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness. 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.

---

2019 - Deep Water

Based on The Windermere Series of books by Paula Daly, the scenery of the Lake District played a starring role in ITV mini series Deep Water, featuring Anna Friel, Sinead Keenan, and Rosalind Eleazar. Filming locations included Staveley, Windermere and Hawkshead.  

Anna Friel said of the area, “The landscapes and views in the Lake District are unbelievably beautiful. It’s such a special place that feels majestic from the moment you arrive.”

---

2020 - 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 market town. 

---

2021 - Supernova

Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci take a campervan trip to the Lake District in this 2021 romantic drama. Using The Pencil Factory in Keswick as their base, the crew filmed across Cumbria at locations including Appleby, Sedbergh, Bassenthwaite and Crummock Water.

---

2022 - The Witcher

Released in 2022, the second season of Netflix’s The Witcher includes a few recognisable Lake District locations including Blea Tarn and Rydal Caves. The show’s star Henry Cavill 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.”

---

2023 - Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1

The most recent blockbuster to be filmed in the Lake District, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 sees Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt flying through the Buttermere valley. The area played the role of the Australian Alps, with shots of the landscapes visible towards the end of the film.

---

Did you know?

Cumbria is home to some fantastic makers and producers, whose creations have been featured on the silver screen! Cumbria Crystal makes luxury crystal and glassware right here in Cumbria. Their pieces have featured in Jamed Bond and Downton Abbey, with the Crawleys drinking from glasses made at their Ulverston workshop. The factory is open to visitors, who can view the artisans at work via a viewing platform; you can even have a go yourself, with glass blowing workshops!