Television and film location walking tours are set to be introduced in Bolton as the town embraces its reputation as the ‘Hollywood of the north’. In 2023, crews from Netflix, BBC, and ITV spent a total of 88 days filming in Bolton, and this trend has continued into the current year. The town has become a popular choice for filming due to its picturesque locations, such as the cobbled streets and majestic architecture of Le Mans Crescent and the town hall, which have been featured in numerous productions in recent years. Some of the productions that have partially filmed in Bolton include The Reckoning, Gentleman in Moscow, Ridley and Alma’s Not Normal, and Fool Me Once, a Netflix mystery drama series starring Michelle Keegan and Joanna Lumley.
Additionally, acclaimed BBC drama Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire, has also filmed several scenes in the town center, including a memorable escape from court scene. Bolton was recently named the fourth Greater Manchester town of culture, following successful programs in Bury, Stalybridge, and Stockport. Cabinet member Coun Mohammed Ayub announced plans for Bolton town center TV and film walking tours to be launched in late summer, offering visitors the chance to explore iconic filming locations and perhaps even snap a selfie at the very dock where a scene from Happy Valley was shot.
Over the years, Bolton has served as a backdrop for various popular dramas, including Peaky Blinders, It’s a Sin, Nolly, Brassic, The Ipcress File, The Full Monty, and Red Rose, with renowned actors such as Cillian Murphy, Ewan McGregor, Adrian Dunbar, and Jodie Whittaker gracing the town with their performances. The council revealed that filming in Bolton has generated over £1 million in income for the council over the past four years. In addition to its architectural charm and scenic countryside, Bolton offers production companies access to internal spaces like courtrooms, cells, former retail units, and office spaces for filming purposes.
The council also provides support to location managers by assisting with technical recces and ensuring that they have all the necessary information about the filming locations. More information about the upcoming walking tours is expected to be released in the coming weeks, offering both locals and tourists a unique opportunity to delve into the world of television and film production while exploring the captivating sights of Bolton.