14 Famous Film Locations in Somerset

11th August 2025 |

Somerset’s a beautiful county. It’s not a surprise then that it’s been widely used as a filming location! Here’s a guide to 14 famous films and TV shows that have been shot on location in Somerset.

Hot Fuzz (2007), Wells

Achieving something of a cult status amongst Somerset film fans, Hot Fuzz is a comedy in the style of a crime/police action thriller set in the quiet, countryside town of Sandford. Sergeant Angel, a tough inner city cop, is forced to relocate to Sandford. He struggles to adjust to country living and soon finds that the gruesome ‘accidents’ might be the work of the shadowy Neighbourhood Watch Alliance…

Written by Edgar Wright who grew up in Wells, Hot Fuzz was filmed primarily in Wells and many locations around the area can be spotted in the film! You can even take guided walking tours that leave from The Crown pub in the Market Place.
The Libertine (2004), Wells and Montacute

The story of the infamous Earl of Rochester, a rebellious 17th century poet who loved nothing better than engaging in drunken debauchery, this film starred a young Johnny Depp. Parts were filmed in the city of Wells as well as Montacute House, near Yeovil.
Pandaemonium (2001), Exmoor and the Quantocks

Exploring the relationship between two of the most famous people to be associated with Somerset: the 19th century poets, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, Pandaemonium was shot on the Quantock Hills and Exmoor. Coleridge lived in Nether Stowey, before moving to Clevedon and Wordsworth lived nearby at Alfoxden.
The Café (2011), Weston-super-Mare

A Sky One Sitcom set in a sleepy seafront café in Weston-super-Mare, The Café was written by Ralph Little and Michelle Terry and directed by Craig Cash (famous for the BBC sitcom, ‘The Royale Family’). It was filmed entirely on location, with a special cafe being constructed near Knightstone Island.
Les Misérables (2012), Bath

Based on Victor Hugo’s seminal 1862 novel about the life of the poor in 19th century France, Les Misérables is most famously known for its musical adaptation on the West End. In 2012 a film was made of the musical with an all star cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway to name a few. It was a commercial and critical success.

Despite its Hollywood names, nearly all of Les Misérables was actually shot in the UK. One scene at the end of the film was shot in Bath (Spoiler alert coming up). The troubled policeman, Javert, having let his arch enemy Valjean escape and having betrayed his rigid principles decides to commit suicide by jumping into the river Seine. Look closely and you can tell that the Seine in the film is actually the River Avon flowing under Pulteney Bridge in Bath. Watch for the tell-tale weir!
Broadchurch (2013), Clevedon

Arguably one of ITV’s most gripping television dramas, Broadchurch follows the community of a small, seaside town in Dorset as they try to come to terms with the murder of a young boy. Taking inspiration from the beautifully haunting visual cues and gripping storytelling of Scandic-Noir dramas such as The Killing, Broadchurch became appointment television.

Despite being set in Dorset, much of Broadchurch was filmed in and around Clevedon. St Andrew’s Church in Clevedon was used as the Broadchurch parish church and graveyard, and Marshall’s Field and a house in Hill Road were used for the Latimers’ home.
‘You & I’ Music Video, One Direction (2014), Clevedon Pier

International superstar boy band One Direction actually filmed one of their music videos in Somerset! The video for ‘You & I’ was shot entirely on Clevedon’s Grade 1 listed pier. In it the band members walk down the pier and turn into each other as they trade lead vocals. The single reached the top 20 in the UK and was later awarded a BRIT Award for British Video.
28 Years Later (2025), Cheddar Gorge

The much-anticipated third instalment in Danny Boyle’s zombie apocalypse series filmed dramatic scenes at Cheddar Gorge in 2024. Following 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, this latest chapter takes place 28 years after the original outbreak. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, and used the B3135 cliff road through the gorge for what’s being described as a key sequence where characters face off against the infected.

The production brought considerable excitement to the area when the road was closed for four days in July 2024. Locals were delighted to see the dramatic landscape of their home county used for such a high-profile international release.
Rivals (2024), Orchardleigh Estate and Wraxall

Disney+’s steamy adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel brought 1980s glamour to Somerset when it filmed at the stunning Orchardleigh Estate near Frome. The 500-acre estate, with its three-mile long driveway and golf course, provided the perfect backdrop for the cut-throat world of media rivalry starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Danny Dyer.

The production also used the Battleaxes pub in Wraxall for filming, though sadly the Tudor-style drinking hole has since closed permanently. The series has been a massive hit for Disney+ and filming for season two has already begun at the same Somerset locations.
The Outlaws (2021-2024), Weston-super-Mare

Bristolian Stephen Merchant’s brilliant comedy-drama brought Hollywood legend Christopher Walken to the Somerset seaside. While the series is primarily set and filmed in Bristol, several key scenes featuring the show’s community service characters were shot at Weston-super-Mare’s beachfront kiosk.

The production team gave the kiosk an extensive makeover between seasons and it’s featured prominently in all three series of the show. Eagle-eyed viewers can also spot The Grand Atlantic Hotel and Grand Pier in the background of various scenes. The final series aired in 2024 to critical acclaim.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Brean Down

Cate Blanchett’s stunning portrayal of Elizabeth I facing the Spanish Armada used the dramatic clifftops of Brean Down as its backdrop. The breathtaking coastal location, steeped in British history with a Pagan shrine dating back to pre-Roman times, provided the perfect setting for some of the film’s most memorable scenes.

Those iconic shots of Blanchett standing defiantly on the cliff edge, looking out across the Bristol Channel, capture both the majesty of the coastline and the determination of England’s greatest queen. The area around Brean continues to attract filmmakers looking for that perfect blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013), Cheddar Gorge

This modern adaptation of the classic Jack and the Beanstalk tale used the otherworldly beauty of Cheddar Gorge as the home of the giants. The dramatic limestone cliffs, towering 400 feet above the valley floor, created the perfect fantastical setting for this family adventure starring Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci.

The production team used the natural rock formations and caves to create a sense of ancient mystery, perfectly suited to a story about portals between worlds.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016), Wells

Wells Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace welcomed another Hollywood production when The Huntsman: Winter’s War filmed there in 2015. Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron was spotted with half a dozen black stallions during filming, creating quite a stir among local onlookers.

England’s smallest city continues to prove its versatility as a filming location, with its stunning medieval architecture providing the perfect backdrop for period dramas and fantasy epics alike. The cathedral’s soaring Gothic architecture and the palace’s tranquil moated setting offer filmmakers an unmatched combination of grandeur and intimacy.
The Remains of the Day (1993), Weston-super-Mare

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s Booker Prize-winning novel, this Merchant Ivory masterpiece stars Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in a heart-breaking story of duty, loyalty and unspoken love. Hopkins plays Stevens, the perfect English butler, while Thompson is the spirited housekeeper Miss Kenton at a 1930s English estate.

The climactic scenes where Stevens finally meets Miss Kenton years later were filmed in Weston-super-Mare. The pair meet for tea in the Winter Gardens Pavilion and share their poignant final conversation sitting together on the original Grand Pier. Though the pier was tragically destroyed by fire in 2008, it has since been rebuilt and remains a popular attraction. This acclaimed drama earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Majestic Designs: Making Your Home as Glamorous as a Film Star

Just like the filmmakers who choose Somerset for its timeless appeal, Majestic Designs has been serving homeowners across the county for over 20 years. Based right here in Cheddar, we are one of the leading double glazing companies in Somerset and the South West of England.

We manufacture all our windows and doors in our state-of-the-art factories, with FENSA-registered fitting teams who know the local architecture inside out. Our expert installers understand how to preserve the authentic charm that makes Somerset properties so camera-ready.

Visit our showroom in Cheddar or contact us to find out how we can help make your Somerset home worthy of the big screen.