Gloucester on Film

Gloucester’s stunning architecture is quickly becoming a firm favourite with movie and TV producers in Hollywood and the UK. Film fans have delighted in exploring Gloucester Cathedral in search of the  hallowed corridors of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. Recently, Mary Queen of Scots, episodes of the BBC’s Sherlock and Wolf Hall have been filmed in Gloucester Cathedral, whilst Disney’s blockbuster, Alice in Wonderland: Through The Looking Glass was filmed in Gloucester Docks.

Alice in Wonderland: Through The Looking Glass (2016)

From Disney Studios, the sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland will be hitting the big screen in 2016. The production took over Gloucester Docks for a week with Alice herself (Mia Wasikowska) taking part in the maritime scene. The producers chose Gloucester Docks for the film after seeing images of the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival.

Sherlock (2015)

Filming took place in January 2015 for an episode of the BBC’s Sherlock, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss and Amanda Abbington. The episode will be broadcast at Chistmas 2015.

Wolf Hall (2015)

Mark Rylance stars as Thomas Cromwell opposite Damien Lewis as King Henry VII in a lavish adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning novel, Wolf Hall. Part of the filming took place at Gloucester Cathedral during the summer of 2014.

The Hollow Crown (2012 and 2015)

Originally part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, the BBC’s adaptations of William’s Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V - starring Jeremy Irons and Tom Hiddlestone, featured Gloucester Cathedral doubling up as the Royal Palace of Westminster. The second part of the series, due in 2015, stars Benedict Cumberbatch and was also filmed in Gloucester Cathedral.

Dr Who (2008 TV Episode)

The Tardis and David Tennant (right) arrived in the City as Gloucester Cathedral grounds were used as the filming location for Doctor Who’s 2008 Christmas Special - The Next Doctor.

Amazing Grace (2006)

The story of William Wilberforce and the Abolitionists movement to end the transatlantic slave trade. Starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic (2006 TV Movie)

Gloucester’s beautifully restored Victorian warehouses at the docks provide the backdrop for Terry Pratchett’s feature-length adaptation of the first Discworld novel, starring David Jason.

Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone (2001), The Chamber of Secrets (2002), The Half Blood Prince (2009)

The Cathedral cloisters were transformed into the hallowed corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry attracting Potter fans, both young and old, from all over the world.

Honourable Mentions

Outlaw (2007)

Vanity Fair (1998 TV)

Maurice (1987)

Martin Chuzzlewitt (1994 TV)

The Onedin Line (1971 TV)