Manchester Through the Lens: A Film & TV Escape

Manchester has a long-standing relationship with film and television, quietly doubling as everything from post-war Britain to 1940s America and Victorian London. Its red-brick streets, grand civic buildings and lived-in neighbourhoods give it a versatility few cities can match. Look closely, and you’ll start spotting Manchester everywhere.

A City Built for Storytelling

What makes Manchester such a favourite with location scouts is its sheer variety. Within a short walk, you can move from industrial heritage to elegant Victorian architecture, from lively cultural quarters to quiet green spaces. Many of the city’s most recognisable areas have played starring roles.

The Northern Quarter, with its characterful streets and historic buildings, has been used in productions such as House of Guinness. Nearby Dale Street has proved especially popular, appearing in Captain America: The First Avenger and It’s a Sin.

Manchester Town Hall, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, has provided a suitably grand backdrop for Sherlock Holmes and The Iron Lady. Its neo-Gothic design makes it ideal for period drama and political thrillers alike.

Harlan Coben’s Run Away, now streaming on Netflix, is a dark and mysterious thriller packed with twists, and once again the city proves its versatility, with Manchester Crown Square used as the police station and the University of Manchester standing in for the fictional Lanford University.

From Canals to Libraries

Castlefield’s canals and industrial arches have featured in Peaky Blinders, World on Fire, Cold Feet, Fool Me Once and even Coronation Street, showcasing a side of Manchester rooted firmly in its industrial past. Stevenson Square, right in the heart of the city, was transformed for The Crown, while the breathtaking John Rylands Library appeared in Darkest Hour, its gothic interiors perfectly suited to wartime drama.

Victoria Baths has also become a firm favourite, appearing in A Gentleman in Moscow, Brassic, Cold Feet and Life on Mars. Meanwhile, the Peveril of the Peak pub has cropped up in Fool Me Once, Cracker, The Bay and Snatch, proving that even a local boozer can have a moment in the spotlight.

Communities on Camera

Manchester’s neighbourhoods tell powerful stories too. Ancoats has featured in Netflix’s The Stranger, while Chinatown has provided the setting for Lazarus. The Village is instantly recognisable to fans of Queer as Folk and It’s a Sin, capturing an important part of the city’s cultural history. Elsewhere, Harter Street has appeared in Genius and Peaky Blinders, and St John’s Gardens has been used in Domino Day and Everything I Know About Love.

Greater Manchester: Beyond the City Centre

Greater Manchester plays a vital role in Run Away, extending the drama well beyond the city itself. Saddleworth Moor provides a stark, atmospheric backdrop that amplifies the series’ sense of mystery, while the Greene family home is filmed in the leafy suburbs of Altrincham. Other scenes are shot in Stockport’s iconic Underbanks, an area increasingly recognised for its cinematic appeal. Stockport has even recently transformed into Gotham, with The Plaza featuring in filming for a new Batman project, Clayface.

Together, these locations highlight the region’s remarkable range. From wide, open landscapes to affluent residential streets, proving that Greater Manchester is as essential to storytelling as the city at its heart.

Discover Manchester’s famous film and TV locations and explore the city’s rich screen history. From Hollywood blockbusters to iconic British dramas, Manchester has doubled for cities around the world.

Explore the Manchester Film & TV Map 

Uncover the stories behind Manchester’s many on-screen appearances with the Manchester Film & TV Map. This self-guided map highlights iconic locations used in some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, popular TV dramas, and indie films. Discover spots featured in productions like Peaky Blinders, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Crown. This map allows you to explore the city at your own pace. 

• Download the map here. 

The Locationist Film & TV Tours 

For a guided tour with a local, join The Locationist Film & TV Tours. These 3-hour guided tours take you to the heart of Manchester’s most famous filming locations, offering fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. 

• Pricing: £18 per person
• Booking: Reserve your place here

The Coronation Street Experience

Step into the iconic world of Coronation Street, where drama, laughter and unforgettable storylines have captivated audiences for more than 60 years. The Coronation Street Experience leys you walk in the footsteps of Weatherfield’s finest and discover the magic of the nation’s favourite street up close. Join their expert tour guides for a fascinating 90-minute tour of the largest single TV production site in the world, packed with behind-the-scenes stories, legendary locations and plenty of photo opportunities

Manchester is a hotspot for film lovers, with a mix of independent cinemas, international releases, and world-class festivals. Manchester offers something for every cinephile. Discover the best of global cinema right in the heart of the city.

HOME

HOME is Manchester’s go-to space for film, theatre and art, bringing all three together in one lively, welcoming venue. Its cinemas showcase everything from independent releases to international films and festivals, making it a favourite spot for curious culture lovers. With its modern design and friendly atmosphere, HOME is as much about community as it is about creativity.

January 2026 sees the arrival of Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater’s latest film, celebrating the spirit of the French New Wave – one of cinema’s most bold and influential movements. If you fancy going a step further, HOME is also running a French New Wave evening course from Wednesday 14 January to Wednesday 18 March, offering a deeper dive into the era and its key films.

The Hong Kong Film Festival UK also returns for its third year, bringing a thoughtful programme of films from Hong Kong and the ESEA diaspora. This year’s festival explores themes around identity, migration and activism, shining a light on voices and communities often underrepresented on screen. The festival is supported by the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.

Keep an eye on HOME for the latest updates and more information.

Manchester Film Festival 2026

Extend your cinematic adventure with the Manchester Film Festival, running from 19 to 29 March 2025 at ODEON Great Northern. Featuring over 100 films from the UK and abroad, industry panels, and exclusive Q&A sessions, the festival is a cinephile’s dream.

• Dates: 19 – 29 March 2025 

• Tickets: Various pass options available. Purchase via the festival’s official site here. 

Bolton Film Festival 2026 

Celebrating films from home and abroad, Bolton Film Festival acts as an amplifier of emerging and established talent. Through its industry talks, masterclasses and networking sessions it aims to break open the door to a creative industry that many people find difficult to access and navigate.

SCENE Festival

After a dazzling debut in 2024, the SCENE annual festival showcases the best of both new and classic LGBTQ+ cinema and television.