Film and TV locations in the North

Manchester: Peaky Blinders territory (and more)

Manchester has stood in for everything from 1920s Birmingham to wartime Brooklyn. Its Victorian red brick, cobbled backstreets and industrial heritage are catnip for filmmakers. If you’re searching for trains to Manchester, film fans are spoiled for choice.

Start in Castlefield, a recognisable backdrop as the Garrison Tavern in Peaky Blinders and The Immortal Man (2026). Its canals and industrial setting recreated early 20th-century Birmingham and are around 24 minutes from Manchester Oxford Road station.  Duke Street and Castle Street are only 13 minutes away and were also used in filming. The Northern Quarter has featured in Peaky Blinders, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and The Crown. Its grid of streets and older buildings stood in for 1940s Brooklyn in Captain America. You’re a 13-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria station.

John Rylands Library, seen in Peaky Blinders, The Crown and Darkest Hour (2017), stands out for its gothic interiors and dramatic architecture. It’s about a 14-minute walk from Victoria or Oxford Road station and is free to visit. Closer to Piccadilly, Mayfield Depot has also featured in Peaky Blinders for industrial scenes, while Sackville Street and Stevenson Square appeared across Peaky Blinders and The Crown. Planning a visit? Explore our guide to the best places to eat in Manchester.

Trains to Manchester

Liverpool: Hollywood on the waterfront

Liverpool has become one of the UK’s biggest filming hubs, and it's easy to see why. The Three Graces waterfront, St George's Hall and Stanley Dock mean Liverpool was practically built for the big screen. If you’re looking for trains to Liverpool, this is where big-budget films come to life. Start with St George's Hall in St George’s Quarter. It’s featured in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) and Sherlock Holmes, thanks to its grand neoclassical design. It’s only a 4-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street station. 

Fans of The Batman (2022) will recognise the city centre. Liverpool Town Hall and Exchange Flags were used to create Gotham’s financial district and are around 15 to 17 minutes from Lime Street Station. For Gotham City Police Department scenes, head to the Royal Liver Building, just 4 minutes away.

For action fans, the Queensway Tunnel was used in Fast & Furious 6 (2013) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010). You can wander down Dale Street and Water Street, both used in The Batman as the set for Gotham and for high-speed chase scenes in Fast and Furious 6, thanks to their classic city look. Thinking of heading over? Explore our  guide to water activities in Liverpool and plan your visit. 

Trains to Liverpool

Bradford: built for period drama

Bradford is often used when productions need historic streets without modern distractions. If you’re searching for trains to Bradford, you’ll find plenty to explore once you arrive here. Little Germany is one of the most filmed areas in the UK. It’s appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Crown, The Six Triple Eight (2024) and multiple period dramas thanks to its preserved Victorian buildings. The Shelby brothers' warehouse in Peaky Blinders was filmed here, and Cillian Murphy and crew were spotted back on these streets in 2024 for The Immortal Man. It’s 9 minutes from Bradford Interchange station, or a 13-minute walk from Forster Square station.

Nearby, Undercliffe Cemetery and Peel Park have been used for atmospheric outdoor scenes in Peaky Blinders and several other productions. It’s about 28 minutes from Bradford Forster Square station. Bradford is also set to feature in upcoming productions like The Chronicles of Narnia (2026), with filming taking place in residential areas of Fairfield Road and Farcliffe Terrace in Manningham, a 20-minute walk away from the station. If you’re planning a visit, booking advance tickets to Bradford keeps things simple and affordable.

Trains to Bradford

Newcastle: big screen energy in a compact city

Newcastle is ideal for a lot of filming locations without walking miles. Its elegant Georgian city centre has been turning heads on screen since the early 1970s, and everything is close together, making it perfect for a day trip. 

Start on Grey Street and Grainger Street, featured in Transformers: The Last Knight (2017). These streets were used for action scenes involving Lamborghinis, Corvettes and Camaros in 2016. The echoing sound of those cars caused quite a stir among locals. You can head there in 6 to 9 minutes from Newcastle station. The Tyne Bridge and Quayside also appear in the film and are easy to reach from the station.

For something more classic, head to Newcastle Castle, featured in Michael Caine’s gritty crime thriller Get Carter (1971) and the TV series Vera for some of its most iconic scenes. It’s 7 minutes from the station, and 5 minutes ahead is the High Level Bridge, also used in both productions. If you’re on the hunt for more, you’ll also find Tyneside Cinema, used in 28 Years Later (2025), within a 10-minute easy walk from the station. Searching for trains to Newcastle? It’s one of the easiest cities to explore on foot once you arrive.

Trains to Newcastle

York: magic, history and famous streets

York feels like a film set even when nothing’s being filmed. When you arrive at York station, you’re already standing in film history. Right at York station, the pedestrian bridge was used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) as the bridge Harry and Hagrid crossed to find Platform 9 ¾. While the scene was shot at King's Cross, this is where it started. So the moment you step off your Northern train in York, you're following in Harry Potter's footsteps. That's a good start to any day out. 

From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to The Shambles, one of the city’s oldest streets. While not an official filming location, it’s widely believed to have inspired Diagon Alley thanks to its narrow, medieval layout. 

Nearby, York Minster appears in the British historical drama Victoria, alongside other parts of the city centre. Another 5 minutes ahead is York Mansion House, also used in the series. You can also visit locations like Fairfax House and the Treasurer’s House, used to depict 1830s Yorkshire in the period drama Gentleman Jack. Thinking of heading over? Take a look at our pick of the best places to eat in York to plan a full visit.

Trains to York

Leeds: modern filming meets historic streets

Leeds has become a popular choice for both modern and period productions. The Leeds City Centre appears in Marvel’s Secret Invasion (2023) and was transformed into Moscow, featuring Russian signage showing just how versatile the city is. It’s only 7 minutes from Leeds station. 

Fans of Peaky Blinders can visit City Varieties Music Hall on Swan Street, one of the oldest surviving music halls in the country, located about 10 minutes away and the Braimes Pressings, a 23-minute walk from the train station.

For something a bit different, head to Leeds Dock, used in the British comedy-drama The Duke (2020). It’s around a 23-minute walk and well worth it if you fancy stretching your legs. There are also filming spots linked to Happy Valley (Season 3) and Ackley Bridge dotted around the city centre, within convenient reach. 

Booking advance tickets to Leeds can help you save a bit, especially if you’re making a full day of it. It’s quick, well-connected and easy to navigate once you arrive.

Trains to Leeds

Ready to roll? Plan your set-jetting trip with us

From cobbled streets to blockbuster backdrops, the North is packed with filming locations you can reach without the hassle. Whether you're heading to Manchester for a Peaky Blinders pilgrimage, Liverpool to stand where Batman stood, or York to walk in Harry Potter's footsteps, our Northern network connects these cities with ease. 

Whether you’re planning a quick trip or a full day out, travelling by train keeps things simple. No parking stress. No traffic. Just turn up, explore and go do your thing. And when you’re ready, buy on the Northern Train App for the quickest and easiest way to get your tickets straight to your phone.