November 26, 2024
Spotlight on Lincolnshire: 10 Must-See Filming Locations
The second largest county in England by area and known for its vast and beautiful countryside, natural coasts & bustling ports, Lincolnshire offers a variety of fantastic locations for productions. Offering up a wide range of unique locations and architecture spanning several key historical eras, this East Midlands county is more than worth its weight in gold when it comes to settings for film & TV. And behind the scenes awaits a network of supportive and linked up teams ready to support productions visiting the area.
Production Liaison Manager for the North West & Midlands, Chelsea Foster, recently had the amazing opportunity to explore the length and breadth of this brilliant county. All thanks to the film-friendly teams at Lincolnshire County Council, the many welcoming local authorities & location contacts, there was a lot of ground covered.
Hayley Toyne, Visitor Economy Growth Manager, and Jade Greenwood, Visitor Economy Officer of Lincolnshire County Council provided a very warm welcome to the area –
“We are always looking for new and exciting ways to showcase Lincolnshire and so it was an absolute pleasure to host Filming in England for this extensive trip. We covered much ground as wanted to highlight how diverse our offer is. Though you may know the county for majestic historic houses and rolling coastline we also have the unexpected gems and we’re keen to explore the potential here too.
There is so much enthusiasm to push for more film & tv productions to come to the county, and we are delighted this work will help shine a spotlight on Lincolnshire. Our Team at Visit Lincolnshire is working hard to promote our film office services – Lincolnshire is film friendly and open for business.“
First stop, Lincoln! Within the city limits the team explored Lincoln Castle & Prison and Lincoln Cathedral. Amy Marshall, Business Investment Officer at City of Lincoln Council, said it best in reflecting on all that the city offers to the film & TV world –
“Lincoln, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and charming streets, has become a sought-after destination for filming. From period dramas to action thrillers, the city’s blend of medieval landmarks, scenic beauty and modern amenities makes it a perfect location for filmmakers. The City of Lincoln Council understands the importance of filming in Lincoln as it not only boosts our local economy, but also promotes the city’s heritage. Lincoln’s cooperative approach to filming, combined with its diverse locations, has solidified its status as a film friendly location in the UK. We welcome filmmakers to discover the magic of Lincoln.“
During our tour of the city, we managed to drop into the latest LocationLincs event held at Lincoln Castle which provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with other local industry professionals, share insights and hear all about the exciting work being done to support the screen industries in Lincolnshire.
A newly joined Filming in England Partnership member, LocationLincs offers a multitude of bespoke services for productions looking to film in the county.
Launched in June 2024 by Keal Productions, they provide location matching services and bespoke scouting for productions. Working with Producers on the feasibility of moving their project to Lincolnshire, tapping into cost effective and captivating locations and facilities, the project is working to make the county a premiere filming destination of choice. Their main aim is promoting the cinematic possibilities of Lincolnshire to the national and international Film and TV production community.
Founder of LocationLincs & Managing Director and Producer at Keal Productions, Heather Greenwood delved into the ethos of the organisation –
“Being Lincolnshire born and bred, I am immensely proud of the incredible people, places and landscapes that I have grown up with. With so many stories and places untouched and yet to be discovered, the sheer scale of creative opportunity is mind blowing. Keal Productions has ambitious plans for the LocationLincs project in support of the county’s cinematic future.“
The team went on to explore the city and beyond, covering key locations across the City of Lincoln, North East Lincolnshire, East Lindsay, Boston, and South Kesteven. Keep reading to find out more about the vast offer across Lincolnshire.
1. Lincoln Castle & Prison
Nestled in the heart of a historic city, this Norman castle has two mottes and has extensive wall walks with views of the surrounding cityscape. Within the castle walls sits the Victorian prison with the unique ‘separate system’, an isolating regime that kept prisoners apart from the corrupting influence of their fellow prisoners.
Kimberley Vickers, CMgr FCMI, Culture Services Manager at Lincoln Castle reflected on previous silver screen occupants and all this special location has to offer:
“Lincoln Castle has a rich tapestry of history and stunning architecture that lends itself beautifully to storytelling. Our atmospheric Victorian prison, medieval walls, and open grounds offer versatile backdrops for both period and modern settings.
We’ve had the privilege of hosting a range of high-profile productions, including Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife, which all brought unique elements of our site to life on screen. Our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth experience for film crews, providing flexible facilities and knowledgeable staff to support creative projects.“
2. Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is very film friendly, having featured in a number of feature films, most recently Napoleon, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix. This spot has had many a well-known names walk its halls including, Timothée Chalamet, Emily Blunt, and Tom Hanks.
As well as the Cathedral itself, the surrounding estate offers a wide range of filming locations including medieval archways, Vicars’ Court – an enclosed courtyard surrounded by historic houses, the Deanery with its integral chapel and numerous historic houses.
Michelle Andrews, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Cathedral said it is a surprisingly versatile filming location –
“There are so many different spaces around the Cathedral and the buildings in the Close, which give plenty of options for filmmakers looking to film in Lincoln. We’ve previously hosted Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, which turned the Nave into Notre Dame and gave us the unique experience of seeing a horse ridden into the Cathedral!
Because we are such a large space there is the opportunity to bring in substantial scenery, equipment and plenty of supporting actors for crowd scenes. Other productions that have used Lincoln Cathedral include The King, Young Victoria and The Da Vinci Code; giving us more than two decades of experience working with large scale productions. The team at the Cathedral are welcoming and pragmatic and always looking to support the productions that visit us – it’s something we really enjoy doing.“
3. Doddington Hall
Situated just outside of Lincoln, Doddington Hall was designed by Robert Smythson, one of the most prominent Elizabethan architects in England. It’s brick edifice stands out with its unique architecture including three symmetrical domed cupolas. Doddington’s mellow brick Elizabethan exterior with its walled courtyards has barely changed since it was completed in 1600. However, in 1749, the Hall had an extensive internal re-decoration, incorporating the elegant Georgian style still seen today.
Lynsey Woods, Head of Brand & Marketing at Doddington spoke to the wide range of beautiful options for film & TV productions –
“With its iconic Elizabethan red brick exterior, Georgian interiors, stunning walled and wild gardens, and parkland, the Doddington Estate offers an unparalleled range of filming locations. Whether you’re creating a period drama, a compelling documentary, or a contemporary feature, the Hall’s timeless charm and breathtaking surroundings set the perfect stage.
Seamlessly blending historical grandeur with modern convenience, the estate provides everything production crews need to feel at home, including comfortable on-site accommodation and award-winning catering. At Doddington, history meets hospitality, ensuring an exceptional experience for every project.“
4. The Kasbah, Port of Grimsby
The Kasbah has already seen the likes of thrillers such as Bodies (Moonage Pictures/Netflix)as well as films like Atonement (Working Title Films/Studio Canal)and This is England (Warp Films/Film4). Situated in the Port of Grimsby ,The Kasbah has many street landscapes, wide roads, as well as approximately 90 unused buildings which comprise of shop fronts, warehouses and offices. These historic buildings date from Victorian to postmodern, providing a wide range of filming backdrops.
Greg Lacey, Head of Property, Humber at Associated British Ports expanded on working with Keal Productions/LocationLincs and plans for the area –
“We’ve always known Grimsby has something special to offer film makers. When Keal Productions moved their office to the port this year that was a real vote of confidence and investment from Heather and her team into both the Port of Grimsby and the wider Lincolnshire region. The UK film and television industry continues to be one that is fast moving as the demand for content grows.
We believe Grimsby has the potential to be repositioned in the longer term as a film production hub for Yorkshire and Humber, and Lincolnshire regions; our USPs can offer something different to anywhere else. We are looking at the port in the longer term around whether we can create a much wider film and TV production hub because we’ve got quite a unique product down there in The Kasbah and the historical streetscapes but then there’s all the development land next to it.“
The team here work continuously with local industry experts as well as The Arts Council and National Lottery to explore funding this project and provide longevity. Emma Lingard, Corporate Communications Manager, who oversees filming enquiries said –
“Since I’ve been with ABP we’ve had the Netflix TV show Bodies filmed here, with the location doubling as the east end of London. We’ve had factual programmes made and the streets being used as a backdrop to showcase renovated cars; and we’ve hosted photographers doing fashion shoots. There’s a real buzz when we have production units move in and revenue from these goes back into the restoration of the buildings, which then outs the place on the local film tourism map.
I recall when scenes for Atonement were filmed here, and a church was constructed on the port. The location really can double up to whatever you want it to be. Because we are a private estate, we can close roads and manage the tenants we have here easily, then say in a residential area or high street. We’ve got good connectivity and not under a flight path, and we’ve been working with the local universities and colleges about skilling the workforce. We see the wider picture for attracting these productions to Lincolnshire and how we can all benefit.“
5. Cleethorpes
This traditional British seaside resort has a wealth of attractions: sandy beaches, donkey rides, Promenade gardens, a paddling pool, a boating lake, a light railway and open top buses running along the sea front. Cleethorpes is also home to Pleasure Island Theme Park.
6. Skegness
Known for its traditional seaside holiday experience with amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, candyfloss and ice cream stands, doughnut stalls and more, Skegness provides the perfect quintessentially British seaside backdrop. This beachside scene also provides historically diverse locations including Skegness Pier, which is over 100 years old and, at the time of its build, was the fourth longest in England, originally stretching a length of 1,844 ft.
7. Boston
Surrounded by picturesque rural countryside, Boston is Lincolnshire’s true hidden gem. Nestled in the south of the county, Boston is a stone’s throw from both peaceful coastlines and rural bliss. The town’s unique location showcases big open skies and glorious outdoor spaces to explore. Known for its impressive history, local food & drink, and picturesque green spaces, there’s so much to discover in Boston.
Katie Edwards, Place Development Officer at Boston Borough Council, showcased the town’s varied architectural offers and discussed previous film productions who visited the area –
“Boston, our historic port and market town, is a perfect location for filming. We are proud to be part of filming’s history offering locations from One of our Aircraft is Missing (1942), to Wild Bill (2019). We have a wealth of history to draw on and can offer both period and current locations.
The town centre itself centres around a historic marketplace, hosting markets and fairs for the past 900 years. Surrounding the marketplace is a network of charming, cobbled lanes. The architecture reflects the towns development and includes Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and 20th Century gems. This includes Boston Guildhall, a 14th Century brick building, that is one of the most important medieval buildings in the area; Fydell House, a picture perfect 18th Century Queen Anne House; Blackfriars Theatre & Arts Centre based in The Dominican Friary, Built in 1222 by the Dominicans or Black Friars and the awe inspiring St Botolph’s Church (known affectionately as The Stump) which dates from 1309. It is one of the largest parish churches in England and its tower, one of the highest of any in the country, is 272ft tall (82.9m).
We also have beautiful landscape to draw on. Boston is in the heart of the South Lincolnshire Fens, located along the river Witham, next to the North Sea at the Wash, a haven for wildlife and provides a rich agricultural landscape that helps provide food for the Nation.“
8. Stamford
There are over 600 listed buildings in and around the town. Largely 17th and 18th century mellow limestone buildings with some older timber framed buildings. Stamford has the finest collection of medieval churches – five in all – of any small town in England. The area is known for its stone and slate quarries and the Collyweston stone slate is found on the roofs of many Stamford buildings.
The industrial revolution largely bypassed Stamford and its wealth of lovely buildings has made Stamford a very popular film location. Pride and Prejudice, Middlemarch, The Buccaneers, Da Vinci Code, The Crown were all filmed here.
9. Grimsthorpe Castle
This stunning estate is located on a 3000-acre country park and lake designed by notable English gardener and landscape architect Capability Brown. Originally beginning as a single medieval watchtower, Grimsthorpe Castle grew into a stately Tudor residence, based around a central courtyard, before being remodelled into a grand country house for the Dukes of Ancaster. This Grade I listed building was gifted by King Henry VIII to William, 11th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and has been associated with the family ever since. Many Kings and Queens have visited – including James I himself.
The Castle interior is made up of formal drawing, dinning and bedrooms, decorated in the 1930s using interior designers Colfax and Fowler. Having previously hosted titles such as Bridgerton and Mary & George, the team and grounds can host large productions, providing parking for up to 280 cars on hard standing, with further parking available in fields walking distance from the Castle.
Lucie VonCarthy, Public Access Lead who oversees filming, said –
“Having not had large scale filming since the 90s, we have been lucky to host the recent series of Bridgerton, as well as Sky Atlantic’s Mary & George. Both period dramas where the production team had trouble choosing which of Grimsthorpe’s many rooms to film in! With the Vanbrugh Hall, State rooms and bedrooms, there are also extensive gardens and parkland, as well as miles of private coach roads for filming. We have plenty of space to house a crew of 200+, with ample hard standing parking for trailers. These large-scale productions are so important to keep the Castle running as well as getting our name out there to a wider audience, after the news of Bridgerton broke in May this year, we saw a large increase in visitor numbers as well as a more diverse crowd of visitor.“
10. Burghley House
Built between 1555 and 1587, Burghley House is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age situated within 2000 acres of parkland surrounded by 8,500 acres of farmland. You may recognise it has Rosings Park, the home of Lady Catherine de Bourg in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice or the French chateau, Chateau de Villette in 2006’s rendition of The Da Vinci Code. Burghley House has also hosted a long list of high-end TV & feature films since these, including the pilot for The Great, seasons 4-6 of The Crown and Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Frankenstein due to premier in 2025.
Director of Commercial Visitor Operations, Philip Gompertz, has been crucial in supporting productions at this stunning property for several years and reflected on the many unique assets it offers –
“Only an hour from London and set within 1,500 acres of magnificent Capability parkland, Burghley House is arguably the finest example of Elizabethan architecture in England.
While the Great Hall and Old Kitchen remain in the Tudor style, the State Rooms were remodelled in the Restoration period to provide sumptuously decorated rooms by the world’s finest artists of the time. The Heaven Room and Hell Staircase are both richly painted with Gods and Goddesses on a dramatic scale. The House has elegant formal gardens, which are separated by a majestic serpentine lake from the surrounding parkland. This area provides extensive woods, a deer park, private roads, and stunning views from all angles. Well used to hosting major TV and Feature Film productions, the grounds provide ample space to house unit bases and crew parking.“
Make sure to explore all of the above amazing locations via our Locations Database (links for each listing provided above) and if you’d like to discuss any in further detail, please do contact Chelsea Foster, Production Liaison Manager, North West & Midlands at chelsea.foster@creativeengland.co.uk.
