The Lake District on Screen
Interested to know about film locations in the Lake District National Park?
From starring roles to “blink and you’ll miss it” cameos, the Lake District makes for a dramatic and photogenic cinematic backdrop.
We’ve put together a list of some Lake District locations made famous by the big screen, so you can follow in the literal footsteps of Hollywood movie stars, and create your own movie magic at some of these picturesque places and iconic settings.
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 – Buttermere and Fleetwith Pike
While somewhat lacking in logic to those with any familiarity to this area of the Lakes, Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt finds himself in this incredibly picturesque corner of the Lake District. In this instalment of the Mission Impossible film franchise, Cruise dramatically leaps from a plummeting Alpine stream train and parachutes down into… Buttermere. The distinctive slopes of Fleetwith Pike across Buttermere prove to be truly scene stealing and you can visit this stunning location all year round. Cruise is also rumoured to have filmed specific shots for the dramatic parachute descent around Coniston – we thought those boulders looked familiar…
Miss Potter – Yew Tree Farm, Coniston
The 2006 film Miss Potter, starring Renée Zellweger, was based on the life of Beatrix Potter, whose Lake District set tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Squirrel Nutkin to name but a few, makes her one of our most loved children’s authors.
The film used Yew Tree Farm, near Coniston, as a stand-in for Potter’s actual home Hill Top Farm at Near Sawrey. Yew Tree Farm was itself owned by Beatrix Potter and donated to the National Trust upon her death in 1943.
Yew Tree Farm now plays host to the Herdwick Experience, where visitors can learn about this iconic Lakeland breed beloved by Beatrix herself and spend time with the tamest members of the flock.
Where to stay if you want to visit the locations in Miss Potter? Coniston village is only 5 minutes from Yew Tree Farm, and Coppermines have the largest selection of cottages in the village. Our Coniston village cottages come in all sizes and budgets, so you’re bound to find the perfect Coniston cottage for you.
Peter Rabbit – Windermere and Ambleside
The 2018 film of Beatrix Potter’s classic tale of the mischievous bunny adventures in Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden, was actually largely filmed in Sydney, Australia – a mere 10,000 miles from the Lake District. Some scenes were filmed in Ambleside and Windermere however, so you’ll be able to follow in Peter’s pawprints on a visit to these popular Lake District villages. Bowness is also home to the World of Beatrix Potter attraction, where Peter Rabbit fans, both young and old can learn more about this famous rabbit and his charming animal companions.
Swallows and Amazons – Coniston Water
While some scenes of the 2016 adaption of Arthur Ransome’s Lake District classic were filmed on Derwent Water, the majority were filmed here on Coniston Water. And it is on Coniston that visitors can visit the real-life inspiration behind Wild Cat Island; the very real Peel Island towards the southern end of the lake. Ransome’s readers can also visit the places behind one of his follow up novels; Pidgeon Post in Coppermines Valley. Did you know our very own Slater Bob’s cottage is the rumoured home of the character Slater Bob from the book. Slater Bob, an old slate miner, tells the young protagonists of the book a story about a lost gold vein in the fells, inspiring the children to go prospecting for gold in the hills around Coppermines Valley. Want to be become a real life Swallow or Amazon? Boats are available for hire from Coniston Boating Centre in the village – so you can have your very own watery adventure.
Star Wars film The Force Awakens – Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite and Skiddaw
Set in a universe far, far away, Star Wars viewers are treated to some actually very earthly scenes of the northern Lake District. The unmistakable outline of the Millennium Falcon can be seen in the film as it soars above Derwent Water. Film magic joined Derwent Water and neighbouring Bassenthwaite Lake together to create one huge body of water (and in a classic example of life imitating art, the two lakes were in fact joined later that year after serious flooding). The distinctive curves of Skiddaw are instantly recognisable in the scene which sees the character Rey arriving in the fictional location of Takodana. As the Millenium Falcon descends to Maz Kanata’s castle, which has been digitally added, the viewpoint is from around Walla Crag and Lake District favourite Catbells can be easily recognised.
Catbells also has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role in the Disney Plus series
Obi-Wan Kenobi starring Ewan McGregor. But as the outline of this well-walked fell is so instantly recognisable to those who have admired it from the popular Friars Crag and other places along the shores of Derwent Water, you’ll have no problem spotting its brief appearance.
Snow White and the Huntsman – Cathedral Cavern, Little Langdale
Cathedral Cave in Little Langdale is an amazing place to visit regardless of its appearance in the 2012 Hollywood film Snow White and the Huntsman. But if you’re a fan of the movie, or the works of its stars Chris Hemsworth and Kristen Stewart (and who isn’t) then a trip to this breath-taking location is a must. The huge and distinctive pillar, seemingly propping up the cave roof, is shown in the film and is instantly recognisable to anyone who has visited this fascinating Lakes location. There are ample opportunities for fabulous photography and you can follow in the footsteps of the eight (yes 8) Dwarves who were the heroes of the film. Stay in Langdale.
3 and Out – Coppermines Valley
Coppermines Valley played host to Pirates of the Caribbean and Detectorists star Mackenzie Crook in the film 3 and Out from 2008. Crook’s London Underground driver character heads to the Lake District on a mission to help his new suicidal acquaintance make amends for the past in this dark comedy drama. Stay in Coppermines Valley.
