Bristol tv and film locations: self guided walking tour
Known for its vibrant street art, thriving music scene, and the historic charm of its harborside, Bristol is a place where history meets creativity, so it's no surprise that this unique city has caught the eye of filmmakers and TV producers over the years, making its way into everything from gritty dramas to historical epics. The mix of modernity and tradition that runs through Bristol's streets offers the perfect backdrop for some iconic films and television programmes, drawing in actors like Andrew Scott and Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Young Sherlock).
One of the most well-known TV shows filmed in Bristol is Poldark, the hit BBC drama set in 18th-century Cornwall. Whilst most of the story takes place along the rugged Cornish coastline, many of the series' scenes were filmed in and around Bristol. The iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge has appeared in several key moments of Poldark, giving the programme a distinctive visual stamp. The bridge, an engineering marvel which stretches across the Avon Gorge, offers great views of the city.
For a more modern example of Bristol (although it's somehow already over 10 years old), in the popular BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the city doubles for London. While the show's London setting is iconic, a number of the outdoor scenes were filmed in Bristol, particularly in the area around the busy St. Nicholas Market and the city's historic docks. You can view a PDF map of Sherlock locations around Bristol here.
The 2017 film The Sense of an Ending, starring Jim Broadbent and Harriet Walter, which is based on the Booker Prize-winning novel by Julian Barnes, again features Clifton Suspension Bridge and uses the city's atmospheric streets to convey a sense of nostalgia and reflection. The film's team used Bristol's modern and historical elements to set the mood for the themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time explored in the movie. The old buildings along the docks and the charming cafes are used to give a slightly melancholy vibe whilst being serene at the same time.
Bristol has also been used for filming in more fantastical projects, such as Doctor Who, which has filmed multiple episodes in the city. The Doctor's time-traveling adventures often take the TARDIS to unexpected locations, and on more than one occasion Bristol has served as a backdrop for these adventures. With David Tennant playing the Doctor and Catherine Tate as his companion Donna Noble, the city made the ideal setting for many of the 60th anniversary episodes. Locations included Clare Street, Clifton, University of Bristol campus, Redcliffe, Spike Island and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
You can't talk about tv filming in Bristol without mentioning Only Fools and Horses and almost every local will tell you an iconic scene that was filmed on their door step. Even the famous fictional Nelson Mandela House was actually a block of flats in Bristol. I used to live on Gloucester Road, the Bristol flyer pub, famous for having large butterflies on it's exterior, was constantly quoted as being the pub Del Boy (and I think, Rodney) walk out of when they spot Trigger across the road going on a date and exclaim "that's a woman!". You can find a great list of Only Fools and Horses filming locations here, and we include one in our walking tour below. Another British classic filmed here is of course Casualty, and more recently, Stephen Merchant's The Outlaws starring Christopher Walken, filming locations for which are featured on one of Bristol Film Office's brilliant Movie Maps.
Short self guided walking tour of Bristol film locations
We've put together a self guided walking tour of Bristol, focusing on locations featured in TV shows and films. The route is designed to cover a range of iconic spots, including filming locations from Sherlock, Doctor Who, Becoming Elizabeth, and others, but overall it's just a lovely walk and a great way to get your bearings as you explore the city. Overall you'll walk about 2.8 miles, which you can do in an hour, but you'll probably want to stop along the way.
1. Starting Point: Bristol Suspension Bridge
Start your walking tour at one of Bristol's most iconic landmarks: the Bristol Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. In 2019, whilst the bridge was supposedly closed for checks, Daleks were spotted on the bridge as filming took place for Dr. Who. The bridge has also been used in Broadchurch (ITV), Pevsner Revisited (2001), Sherlock (BBC), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Truth About Love (2005), Contest Girl way back in (1964) and Meet the Ancestors (1998–2004).
2. Cabot Tower
If you don't mind walking down (yes, down, not up!) one of the steepest hills in Bristol if not the UK, Constitution Hill, then you should visit Cabot Tower. If you want to skip this bit, then click to view our Google Map (link below) and remove this step from the route. This is the longest single walking stretch of our tour, at 28 minutes, but it'd still be nearly that long if you skipped this step - the issue isn't the tower, it's that the Bridge is quite far out but you can't do a walking tour of Bristol landmarks and not hit the Suspension Bridge.
Cabot Tower was featured in Channel 4's Before We Die, and in Skins, but is just generally a brilliant often-over-looked hidden gem of a landmark in Bristol as it gives such panoramic views of the city. It's literally a 32-metre viewing tower, built in 1897, so views are kinda it's bag.
3. Park Street
From Cabot Tower, you're very close to Park Street. Near the top of Park Street you'll notice Goldbrick House, the set of many scenes in BBC's Mistresses, where because the restaurant and night spot has very differently styled rooms, the TV production team used the venue to be many different locations throughout the series. Park Street was also used in the Disney+ series Black Cake, becoming 1970s Jamaica and London, as well as George Street, just off Park Street, also appearing in Young Sherlock.
4. College Green and Bristol Cathedral
At the bottom of Park Street - just a few more minutes walk down the hill - is College Green and Bristol Cathedral. The Cathedral, with its stunning architecture, has served as a backdrop in various tv shows and films including Becoming Elizabeth and several episodes of Doctor Who. The area is also featured in Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch and was often featured in Skins.
5. St Nicholas Market
From College Green it's just an 11 minute walk to visit St Nicholas Market. This bustling market, with its Victorian-era architecture, appeared in Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock, transformed to be the "Queen’s Theatre". It's a great spot for a mid-tour break to grab a coffee or snack - but don't drive down the steps as I think they did in an episode of Skins.
6. Bristol Old Vic Theatre
From St Nick's Market, take a 6 minute walk to King Street to the Bristol Old Vic, the oldest working theatre in the English-speaking world. It appeared in the period drama Poldark, which also features scenes set in 18th-century Cornwall.
7. Welsh Back
Because you're in this neck of the woods, let's head next to the cobbled street of Welsh Back, and you'll be on the spot where Del-Boy and Rodney decide to call it a night at the casino and walk out into broad daylight. Then cut though Queen's Square, because it's rather lovely! A very "proper square" with paths to the centre and historic buildings all around, it was also used in Young Sherlock.
8. MShed and the historic Bristol Harbourside
Once you get to the harbourside, and walk along Princes Wharf, you'll be in a place which was transformed into wartime Guernsey for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018), as well as featuring in Disney’s Galavant series. The reason Bristol's harbourside is used is because of the boats moored there - with The 1940’s MV Balmoral hosting Stan and Ollie (2018) and Another Mother’s Son (2017) as well as The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The Galavant series used The Matthew of Bristol, a replica of the 14th Century ship that John Cabot used to sail to the Americas.
Our Google Map of this walking route is here, but as with any walk, use your own common sense and only walk where it's safe to do so.
In 2024, Bristol made the Cannes shortlist for "City of Film" and the Bristol Post published a long list of other tv shows and films featued here. Whether it's historical dramas like Poldark, lighthearted comedies like The Trip to Italy, or thrilling mysteries like Sherlock, Bristol's mix of old-world charm and modern creativity provides a versatile backdrop for filmmakers. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge, St. Nicholas Market, and the Harbourside, have been featured in a variety of genres, helping to give each story a unique sense of place.