The Cotswolds lights up the small screen

Filming Poldark at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester

Are you a big fan of the BBC series Poldark? You may think that the stunning locations are all in Cornwall, however some scenes were shot right here in the Cotswolds. Chavenage House near Tetbury is definitely one of the stars of the show, doubling as Trenwith House, family home to the Poldarks. Scenes in season two were also filmed at Berkeley Castle and the scenes in ‘Bodmin’ were actually filmed at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. And the best news is that there is going to be a third season!


Filming Downton Abbey in Bampton (photo courtesy of James Wildman)

Fans of the acclaimed period drama Downton Abbey have been flocking to the Cotswolds where much of the series was filmed.  The charming Cotswolds village of Bampton was used to film Downton village scenes. Stroll around the pretty streets and see the Dog and Duck, Mrs Crawley’s House and St Michael and All Angel’s church. Pick up a map showing the locations from Bampton Community Archive (which doubled as the Cottage Hospital) and see a collection of photos and memorabilia.

Cogges Manor Farm in Witney also featured in Downton Abbey as Yew Tree Farm, home of Mr Drewe, the tenant farmer.  In series 5 the farm buildings, including interiors, featured regularly as it is here that Marigold, Lady Edith's illegitimate daughter, was brought up. Scenes were also filmed at The Swan Inn in Swinbrook and in the village of Shilton.


Filming of Father Brown and Sudeley Castle

As you explore the North Cotswolds you may recognise locations from Father Brown, the BBC series about a Catholic priest turned detective set in the 1950s. Blockley doubles as the fictional Cotswolds village of Kembleford and filming has also taken place in Winchcombe, Sudeley Castle, Ilmington and Notgrove, as well as aboard the evocative Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.


Wolf Hall used several locations across the Cotswolds

Scenes from the award-winning Tudor drama Wolf Hall were also filmed in various Cotswolds locations including Berkeley Castle, Gloucester Cathedral, Chastleton House and Chavenage.


Slad Valley near Stroud, inspiration and setting for Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie

Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie was inspired by his upbringing in the Slad Valley in the period soon after the First World War, and scenes in a recent BBC adaption were filmed in Miserden.

The BBC Second World War drama, Land Girls, has scenes filmed in the historic Fleece Inn in Bretforton, along with Toddington railway station. 

It’s not all period dramas – the new Agatha Raisin series about a modern-day detective who has recently relocated from London to the Cotswolds was filmed in the Wiltshire villages of Lacock and Biddestone.  

The BBC adaption of J.K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy was filmed in the Cotswolds in Painswick and Minchinhampton, along with Archway School in Stroud, Stroud Police Station, All Saints church in Bisley and the Black Cat Café in Northleach.

Saltridge Woods (Credit: Ken Long)