September 28, 2026
Bolton Filming Locations: Beyond the Cobbles (and Courtroom)
St Peter’s Church, Bolton
“I have filmed around Bolton now for over 20 years and have always enjoyed the process. The team are always great. Most recently we shot a very complicated commercial in the town centre, with celebrities, a large crew and big set ups, all required a lot of additional support and help. Fiona and the team were always there and went above and beyond to ensure we had a smooth shoot. Can’t recommend them enough.”
Andy Holt, Location Manager
Situated in the foothills of the West-Pennine moors, Bolton is Greater Manchester’s largest town and argued as one of the friendliest in the UK. It has long been known for its abundance of home-grown talent; from the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Maxine Peake, Ruth Madeley, Sara Cox, Diane Morgan, and Sophie Willan, to name just a few.
But it isn’t just the on-screen talent which puts Bolton on the map, it’s fast becoming a popular filming destination. In recent years, Bolton has hosted productions such as Peaky Blinders, It’s a Sin, Red Rose, Happy Valley, Sherwood, Brassic, Alma’s Not Normal, Ridley, A Gentleman in Moscow, Talamasca: The Secret Order, The Cage, Cobra, Nolly, Coronation Street, Adultery, plus many more!
What connects all of these productions is largely the need for grit, cobbles, and usually, a courtroom – aspects which are unashamedly ‘Bolton’. But the town is undergoing a cultural renaissance, and to support Bolton’s vision of becoming a thriving Greater Manchester borough, in October 2025 the official Bolton Film Office was launched.
The core ethos of the Film Office remains unchanged – to be film friendly, flexible, and make the most of what we have to offer: local and industry knowledge, locations, a can-do attitude, and often delicious pasties. Bolton Film Office works with all scales of productions from HETV, commercials, documentaries and so on – there is no production too small or too large.
Located just 12 miles from Manchester city centre, and 35 miles from Liverpool; with direct access to the major transport networks, Bolton is strategically positioned providing easy access to the north’s major studios and to the rest of the UK. And with the recently launched Greater Manchester Production Fund, Bolton along with the other nine Greater Manchester boroughs, can support the ambitions of incoming productions hoping to utilise this fund. Plus, Greater Manchester has a wealth of experienced and talented crew which work across the whole of the Northwest, from Liverpool to Leeds, making Bolton an ideal place for your production.
Most Northwest location managers are very familiar with Bolton’s number one filming location – the former Magistrates court. Housed on the beautiful cobbled Le Mans Crescent, this Grade II listed building is home to an authentic, vacant, Magistrates court and cells. The grand architecture lends itself to both modern day and period stories, hence its popularity.
“Having filmed in Bolton for over fifteen years on HETV dramas both at Le Mans and in other Bolton locations, I can honestly say Fiona and her team at Bolton Film Office have not only provided aspirational locations and valid suggestions, but a fully all round service. They often go the extra mile. This film office is a very safe pair of hands.” – James Muirhead, Location Manager
But Bolton is more than cobbled streets and a court room. It’s also known for its industrial heritage, football, and abundance of greenspace. Here is a taste of some lesser-known Bolton landmarks.
Historic buildings:
If you’re looking to be transported to olde world times, with Bolton’s history we have a variety of heritage buildings and conservation areas to choose from. Surrounded by formal gardens and woodlands, the Smithills Hall contains fine examples of architecture through the ages.
Filming credits: Red Rose, Most Haunted and The English Game
Dating back to 1516, Bolton School oozes historical character.
Filming credits: Fool Me Once, It’s a Sin, Last Tango in Halifax, Our Girl…
Mills:
There is no escaping Bolton’s industrial heritage, there are a number of former mills still in use today and ideal for filming. This listed mill is a hive of creative activity, home to artists, playwrights and plenty of original mill features to film.
This former mill still has the remains of the old boiler room, featuring all the old tiles, pulleys and boilers. Creepy indeed.
Filming credits: music videos, various commercials, dramas…
A distinctive mill space dedicated to filming.
Filming credits: The Rap Game, Red Rose, multiple commercials
Villages, Woodlands and Charm:
Nestled amongst the former industrial areas of Bolton, woodlands surround quaint villages. From the charming hamlet of Firwood Fold, to the arches and clock tower of Ringley, village life is only a stone’s throw from modernity.
This quaint former industrial village boasts beautiful surroundings and woodland trails.
Filming credits: Red Rose
St Stephen & All Martyrs Church
This stunning church is one of only three terracotta churches in the UK. Surrounded by woodland, it practically glows in the autumn.
Located in Bolton town centre, it is a beautifully kept large church with high vaulted ceiling.
Filming credits: Peaky Blinders
A local nature reserve and peaceful country park offering a mix of wildflower meadows, woodland, grassland, ponds, and riverside habitats.
A former mansion, museum and civic hall, now home of the Bolton Music Service. The large performance room is suitable for intimate concerts or dressed as a drawing room.
Sports Arenas:
Home to Bolton Wanderers Football Club, football in central to sport in Bolton! However with a number of other sports areas and facilities available, we have most sports covered.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Capacity for 28,000 fans, this modern stadium has studio and podcast facilities, along with ample parking for a unit base.
Filming credits: various commercials
Home to the indoor tennis court, pickle court, gymnastics, swimming pool, and external track.
Striking spaces:
A beautiful theatre, along with other event and function spaces.
A stunning theatre with multiple event rooms.
Filming credits: A Gentleman in Moscow, Alma’s Not Normal, Songs of Praise
A huge event and performance space, capacity of up to 450.
A building within a building, the church features a modern structure within a traditional worship space.
Interested in seeing these locations in person? Bolton Film Office is planning a FAM tour of some of these sites later in the year. If this is of interest, or if you’d like more information about filming in Bolton, contact Fiona Fung at Bolton Film Office on filmoffice@bolton.gov.uk
Bolton Film Office are part of the Filming in England Partnership – and Filming in England are proud to work alongside Bolton Film Office alongside wider Greater Manchester Local Authorities to support high-end TV and Feature Film production.
Visit the Bolton Film Office website: www.boltonfilmoffice.uk
