7 real-life film sets of top British TV shows that you can visit for free

THE UK is home to some of the best TV shows, from Call The Midwife and Gavin And Stacey, to Beyond Paradise and Shetland.

We’ve rounded up some of the country’s best-loved programmes with filming locations that don’t cost a penny to visit.

BBC/Fulwell 73 UK Limited/Tom Jackson

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Gavin And Stacey

Gavin and Stacey came to an end with the finale episode over Christmas, but you can still keep the show’s spirit alive with a trip to Barry, Wales.

Trinity Street in Barry is home to thehomes of Gwen, Uncle Bryn, and Doris – now belonging to Gavin and Stacey.

On Barry Island itself there’s the famous Marco’s Cafe and the Arcade where Nessa worked the slots.

Just up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy’s local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin – where pints cost £4, according to reviews left by guests.

There are organised tours of Gavin and Stacey locations, some onboard Dave’s Coaches, but it’s easy enough to go on your own adventure.

Beyond Paradise

Head to the South of England to discover the stunning coastal town of Looe, which will be familiar to fans of Beyond Paradise.

The spin-off to Death in Paradise started in 2023 and is set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott. The beaches of Looe and Fore Street are popular locations. The Guildhall is what they use for the Shipton Abbott Police Station.

Martha’s restaurant, The Ten Miles Kitchen, is filmed in The Stables, Port Eliot House & Gardens a cafe 20 minutes inland from Looe in the parish of St Germans. It’s a great place to pop in for a coffee or brunch and a look over the garden estate.

According to TripAdvisor other top places to visit Looe include the Valley Vineyard which has brilliant reviews of the wine tour and tasting open between the months of May and October.

Red Planet Pictures, Joss Barratt

Midsomer Murders

In rural Oxfordshire there is one of the deadliest villages around, Midsomer. ITV’s Midsomer Murders is filmed mostly in the quaint and historic town of Wallingford.

Wallingford isn’t the only location used. Just 30 minutes up the road is the village of Thame which also doubles as Causton village.

In Thame, the Spread Eagle, a red brick hotel who serve up four roast mains on a Sunday, has been used for filming. They’ve also used The Black Horse, who have monthly offers from Happy Hour to deals on main courses.

Rumsey’s Chocolaterie has also appeared on-screen, and it’s worth a trip there just for the hot chocolates alone. They also offer workshops where you can make truffles and chocolate figurines.

At the Thame Museum, they offer a free Midsomer Walking Tour leaflet and there’s an opportunity to have a photo taken next to the ‘Causton Town Hall’ sign.

Bentley Productions/ITV

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Wallingford town square is where lots of Midsomer Murders is filmed[/caption]

All Creatures Great and Small

The Yorkshire Dales is the home to beloved series All Creatures Great and Small.

Grassington becomes the fictional market town of Darrowby and there are lots of familiar sights, as most of the village is used for filming.

The production team dress up shop fronts, with The Stripey Badger Bookshop becoming G F Engleby Grocers, and The Devonshire transforming into the Drovers Arms.

The traditional family pub is very highly rated and offers everything from hearty breakfasts to Sunday lunch. It even offers ‘Dining for Dogs’ with ‘Diced Chuck Steak Doggy Dinner’ or ‘Sausage Stew’ on the menu.

For the chance to spot some filming, plan a trip in late Spring, early Summer as the cast begin with the Christmas special around that time.

Channel 5

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The production teams switch-up the shop fronts in Grassington[/caption]

Call the Midwife

Call the Midwife has returned for series fourteen and there are plenty of locations from over the years to visit for free.

In the latest series, the ladies of Nonnatus house took a trip to the seaside which was filmed on West Wittering beach, in Sussex.

The cast were unlucky though, and filmed during Storm Agnes which resulted in Cliff Parisi developing hypothermia.

Another recognisable location is the lighthouse from the 2019 Christmas Special where Nurse Val and Nurse Lucille go to Scotland.

It’s actually the Eilean Glas Lighthouse on the east coast of the island of Scalpay. To get there, park in the village of Kennavay and take the 30 minute trail. The building also operates as a small museum, and serves tea and coffee during open hours.

BBC

BBC

Shetland

Talking of Scotland, Shetland is the filming location for Shetland, obviously. The TV series starring Ashley Jenson is filmed in the main town and port, Lerwick.

The most recognisable spot of Lodberries house which was the home of former lead DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).

Another popular location for the show is Commercial Street, which has featured in almost every single series of Shetland, ever.

There are also lots of other iconic locations in Lerwick including Lerwick Town Hall, Bain’s Beach and Lerwick Harbour.

You can get to Shetland by flying to a Scottish terminal, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkwall all have direct flights to Lerwick.

BBC/Silverprint Pictures/Anne Binckebanck

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The stunning Lerwick Harbour is the focal point of the show[/caption]

Sex Education

Sex Education has been wildly popular on Netflix for years and has some very recognisable locations particularly in Wales, from the Wye Valley to the Forest of Dean.

Oti and Jean’s house is the most recognisable location from the show. The unusual Scandinavian-style Chalet is perched on the edge of the River Wye and be reached with a walking trail.

The nearby village of Symonds Yat is quiet and rural, but does contain the necessities, there’s a pub called the Saracens Head Inn which is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat after perusing up to the house and offers great views of the river.

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