Manchester isn't just the home of music legends and football giants, it's a city built for cinema. With a skyline that blends centuries-old architecture and contemporary design, Manchester has fast become one of the UK’s most in-demand locations for filmmakers. From the cobbled streets of the Northern Quarter to the Gothic grandeur of its town hall, the city can effortlessly transform into New York, London, Berlin and more.
And with strong transport links and close proximity to London, it’s a highly practical base for productions of all sizes and budgets. Add a supportive local film office, the largest TV studio in the country, and a community of talented crew, and it’s easy to see why Manchester is such a popular choice for filmmakers.
In this guide, we’ve curated the top Manchester filming locations, each with its own character. Whether you're shooting a blockbuster, an indie short, or a brand campaign, these locations are ready for their close-up.
Vibe: Brooklyn meets Berlin
Historically the heart of Manchester's textile trade, the Northern Quarter is now a creative and cultural hub known for its red-brick warehouses, narrow streets, and ever-changing street art. The area is filled with independent cafés, bars, record shops, and vintage stores, giving it a cool urban atmosphere that frequently doubles for New York City locations or Berlin in film and TV.
Featured in: Captain America: The First Avenger, Morbius, House of Guinness (Netflix)
Good for: Urban dramas, music videos, doubling for Brooklyn or Berlin, street-level action scenes
Filming permission: A filming permit is required for all commercial filming. Apply via Screen Manchester.
Vibe: Industrial meets canal-side charm
Recognised as the UK’s first Urban Heritage Park, Castlefield offers a cinematic blend of Roman ruins, Victorian warehouses, and intersecting canals. Once an industrial transport hub, its cobbled streets, viaducts, and iron bridges are now surrounded by trendy apartments and bars — making it perfect for both modern and historical shoots.
Featured in: The Crown, Peaky Blinders, Fool Me Once
Good for: Period dramas, crime thrillers, romantic sequences, chase scenes along canals
Filming permission: Filming permits are required. Castlefield is managed through Screen Manchester, which coordinates with landowners and local authorities.
Vibe: Gritty industrial with a modern twist
Once known as the world's first industrial suburb, Ancoats has transformed from a derelict mill area into a trendy neighbourhood filled with renovated cotton mills, canalside paths, and modern housing. The raw, red-brick texture of its streets and preserved industrial buildings provide a perfect blend of grit and charm for a range of genres.
Featured in: The Stranger (Netflix), Thinking Actors series, fashion shoots
Good for: Historical dramas, music videos, inner-city backdrops
Filming permission: Permits required for street and building exteriors. Use Screen Manchester to coordinate permissions with local stakeholders and building owners.
Vibe: Dark academia
Opened in 1900, this stunning library is a masterpiece of neo-Gothic design. Located on Deansgate and part of the University of Manchester, its vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and carved woodwork make it feel more like a cathedral than a library. It’s an ideal setting for scenes requiring historical, magical, or academic atmospheres.
Featured in: Peaky Blinders, Anatomy of a Scandal
Good for: Mystical scenes, historical interiors
Filming permission: Filming requests must be made in advance through the University of Manchester Special Collections team. Strict access rules apply due to preservation status.
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MediaCityUK is one of Europe’s leading hubs for digital media, television, and creative content production. At the heart of it is dock10 — the UK’s largest and most advanced television facility. This state-of-the-art complex offers ten purpose-built studios, including the nation’s largest TV studio, used for everything from primetime Saturday night entertainment to commercials and sports broadcasts. The site is home to the BBC, ITV, and countless independent production companies, and has been designed from the ground up with media production in mind.
Featured in: BBC productions, ITV dramas, live broadcasts
Good for: Newsrooms, talk shows, game shows, corporate content, live and multi-camera productions
Filming permission: Filming requires advance coordination. For access to studios and post-production services, contact dock10 directly.
Vibe: Edwardian Art Nouveau
A beautifully preserved Edwardian public bathhouse, Victoria Baths was once called “Manchester’s water palace.” Its stained glass, mosaic tiles, and empty pools offer a haunting, nostalgic charm, often used for period dramas, surreal music videos, and stylised fashion shoots.
Featured in: Life on Mars, Cold Feet, Peaky Blinders
Good for: Period dramas, music videos
Filming permission: Filming is permitted and booked frequently for commercial and live events. The venue is managed by the Victoria Baths Trust — get in touch early.
Running through Manchester’s academic heart, Oxford Road features a dense mix of architecture — from Victorian institutions to brutalist university buildings. It’s surrounded by cultural landmarks like the Whitworth, Manchester Museum, and the RNCM, making it a rich location for diverse urban storytelling.
Vibe: Brutalist meets modern academic
Featured in: University documentaries, urban dramas
Good for: Campus scenes, student life, city montages
Filming permission: Permits required for public spaces. Contact Screen Manchester for street-level coordination, or individual institutions for interior access.
Vibe: Victorian streets with historic character
Just 15 minutes south of central Manchester, Stockport offers a treasure trove of film-ready locations. The Underbanks area, often described as a hidden gem, is lined with cobbled streets, Victorian shopfronts, narrow alleyways, and 19th century architecture that are ideal for period dramas.
Nearby, the historic Market Place, Town Hall, Stockport Viaduct, and Staircase House add more variety — from medieval locations to railway landmarks. Stockport has recently grown in popularity with production teams due to its flexible filming environment, ease of access, and increasing support for creative industries.
Featured in: It’s a Sin, The Stranger, Peaky Blinders (doubling for 1930s Birmingham)
Good for: Period dramas, crime thrillers, Northern working-class stories, vintage commercial shoots
Filming permission: Filming permits are required for public spaces and heritage sites, and is managed by Stockport Council.
Vibe: Neo-Gothic grandeur
Built in 1877, Manchester Town Hall is one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic civic architecture in the UK. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, its ornate interiors and imposing exterior have made it a popular stand-in for Westminster and other grand institutions.
Featured in: Sherlock Holmes, The Iron Lady, Darkest Hour
Good for: Political dramas, courtroom scenes, historic interiors
Filming permission: The Town Hall is currently closed, but Screen Manchester can advise on alternative civic buildings and exterior access.
For a truly compelling cinematic backdrop, few cities rival the gritty charm and rich character of Manchester. This list highlights how the city’s diverse locations, from moody canals to academic institutions and working-class neighbourhoods, can elevate everything from period dramas to sci-fi thrillers.
Whether you’re a seasoned location scout or an emerging filmmaker, Manchester’s versatility and character make it a standout choice for productions of all scales. It’s no wonder the city has become a go-to destination for creatives aiming to bring their powerful and compelling stories to life.
If you're looking for film inspiration from other iconic cities, check out the best films set in Paris.
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