TV & Films in the Lake District
02 February 2022

The Lake District attracts millions of people every year, drawn to the stunning scenery and breath taking landscapes. Hardly surprising, as it's been the inspiration for so many artists, writers and photographers over the years. And nowadays it's proving to be a popular location for TV and film-makers.

We'll soon be back on those fells, enjoying some Lake District sunshine. But until then we need a way of whiling away those cold, February evenings, so we thought we'd take a look at TV and films set in the Lake District. Get comfy, pop the TV on and enjoy the Lake District from the comfort of your own sofa.

We'll start with 1987 black comedy, Withnail and I, starring Richard E and Paul McGann. The plot follows two unemployed actors who, in need of a holiday, head to the Lake District to stay in Uncle Monty's cottage. What ensues is far from the restful weekend they'd hoped for.

Dramas
The Lake District is often featured in TV dramas, including some firm favourites '' Safe House, The A Word and Deep Water. The dramatic landscapes certainly help add to the tension.

Safe House stars Christopher Eccleston and Marsha Thompson, who are persuaded to turn their picturesque guest house into a safe house for a family who have been forced to go on the run.

And Christopher returned to the Lake District to film The A Word, the story of a young family and their autistic son. The drama ran for three series and was filmed in various locations including Coniston, Keswick, Thirlmere, Buttermere and Kendal.

More recently, Deep Water, took us to the shores of Lake Windermere and into the lives of three women, each of whom is trying to do their best for their families, although often with messy repercussions. The six-part drama was adapted from the Windermere series of novels by acclaimed author Paula Daly.

Hollywood
It's not just UK production companies who head for the Lakes, Hollywood has got in on the act too. Last year, Tom Cruise was here filming the seventh film in the Mission: Impossible franchise, leaping from a helicopter and gliding into the Buttermere area.

And while Star Wars is set in a galaxy far, far away, parts of the 2015 box office hit, Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, were filmed around Derwent Water and Thirlmere.

Back in 2006, Renée Zellwegger played Beatrix Potter in Miss Potter, a biographical film about the author's life. As you might expect, filming took place in various locations across the Lake District, including Loughrigg and Grasmere.

The film about Beatrix Potter's best-loved character, Peter Rabbit, was also unsurprisingly filmed here and boasted an all-star cast including James Corden and Margot Robbie. It was shot in Ambleside and Windermere, very near to the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Documentaries
If fantasy and fiction are not really your thing, there are a number of documentaries about the Lake District. The Lakes with Simon Reeves (available on BBC iPlayer) sees Simon Reeves travelling through this amazing place, revealing some of the secrets of this iconic part of Britain.

Also on iPlayer are A Year on Helvellyn, A Year on Blencathra and A Year on Scafell Pike, a closer look at three of the England's best-known mountains.

Grab the popcorn and settle in for an evenings viewing. TV and films set in the Lake District' there's quite a choice!

beatrix potter

blencathra

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deep water

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miss potter

peter rabbit

renee zellwegger

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the a word

tv and film

tv and films set in the lake district

withnail and I

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