Film location expert lists her Warwickshire sites that could act as 'blockbuster doubles'

Becky Rooney, whose business Film Friendly advises towns and cities on how to maximise their filming potential, has picked out spots in Shakespeare’s County that resemble iconic film and TV series, or have potential to go viral.

It comes as the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) recently struck an agreement with the BBC to increase annual spend on TV production in the West Midlands to £40 million each year by 2027; and will see WMCA investing £5 million a year until 2028 to encourage further production activity.

Becky said: “Some of the best filming locations for TV, film and social media are often the quieter ones due to logistical reasons, and as you’ll see from my list, Coventry and Warwickshire really is a region that is hiding in plain sight.

“It’s not just about the locations themselves, but more about what they resemble and could become.

“From the hilly backdrops of Lord of the Rings, to the meandering train rides in Harry Potter, or the brutalist streets of Gotham City to the regal settings in Downton Abbey – Warwickshire has pockets of wonder that resemble all of these settings; and I hope this list provides some inspiration to tourists, content creators and even producers themselves.”

Becky’s list of locations tipped for screen stardom in the coming years:

Burton Dassett Hills Country Park

Climbing to the top of this country park, particularly around dawn or sunset, feels like stepping into The Shire in Lord of The Rings, half expecting the film’s hobbits to appear over the horizon.

The vast, open and high-rising landscape with its rolling hills give off New Zealand vibes, where parts of the hit movie series was filmed, and is a must visit for a ‘middle earth’ experience.

Edstone Aqueduct

This 200 year old aqueduct is a ‘waterway in the sky’, and is one of the hidden wonders of the waterways. It is England’s longest cast iron aqueduct that you can still travel on to this day via canal boat or by foot.

Edstone Aqueduct echoes that of the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland which was used for the outdoor train scenes in Harry Potter.

The vulnerable nature of a canal boat travelling high up above the ground makes it a magical filming opportunity that not many are aware of.

Dallas Burston Polo Club

If you think you need to travel to America to see an impressive White House, then think again, because the new Polo Club Hotel in the Southam countryside gives it a close run for its money.

As you drive down the long sweeping driveway, set in vast acres of flat ground, you are greeted by the impressive white façade, which when close up, has a strong resemblance to the famous building in Washington DC.

While its grand exterior wouldn’t look out of place in a modern-day action blockbuster, inside its plush regal interior with golden accents harks back to a period drama.

Ragley Hall, Compton Verney, Charlecote Park and Stoneleigh Abbey

Warwickshire is blessed with historic properties dating back centuries that are set in acres of countryside and are ripe for period dramas, and wouldn’t look out of place for a staple horse and carriage driveway scene in Downton Abbey.

Ragley Estate is not open to the general public, putting it in pole position as a top filming spot in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for famous faces in the area!

Henley-in-Arden Train Station

Historic train stations are always visually popular for scene setting. Henley station is over 100 years old, with the original GWR station building undergoing a major refurbishment to house a new lounge and microbrewery. An ideal location for TV period dramas, such as Father Brown or Shakespeare and Hathaway.

FarGo Village, Coventry Building Society Arena, and Coventry city centre

While Fargo is known for its bustling range of creative independent businesses on the outskirts of Coventry city centre, it also stands out visually with its shipping containers, warehouse-style units and murals, which evoke a New York City or Gotham City vibe.

This brutalist, untouched architecture also extends into parts of Coventry city centre around older buildings, which is particularly powerful for 80s settings.

Multi-purpose arenas, such as Coventry Building Society Arena, are also unbelievably flexible and are often used as makeshift airport scenes for film and TV.