How many times have you been watching a television series or film and recognised the filming location? If you live in the Lake District, or know it as a visitor, you might experience that quite a lot!

In this week's blog, we’re going to be looking at some of the TV and film locations in and near Keswick, from big blockbuster titles to British drama series.

Mission Impossible 7: Dead Reckoning Part 1 (2023)

The latest summer blockbuster from the Mission Impossible franchise spent two summers filming in Buttermere (alongside its other, further afield locations). Keep an eye out for Tom Cruise doing some impressive speed flying down from the famous Fleetwith Pike.

Swallows and Amazons (2016 film)

Swallows and Amazons was filmed all over the Lake District and famously set in a fictional version of Coniston. The external island shots are of St Herbets Island on Derwentwater, an island popular with boaters and paddleboarders who launch from the mainland to explore its shores. Lots of the sailing shots are on Derwentwater - see if you can spot Catbells as a background in some of the scenes.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

You might be surprised to find out that some of Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens was shot in Keswick and other areas of the Lake District. The reason it may come as a surprise is that some of the original footage has been given CGI enhancements, so you may not recognise it.

However, you should definitely be able to recognise the shots of Derwentwater that feature a few times in the film as the rebel base. You might also recognise Thirlmere as the backdrop to two X-Wing Fighters!

28 Days Later (2002)

If you watch til the end of this zombie favourite, our heroes find safety in Ennerdale with some bird's eye shots of a zombie on Honister Pass.

Without a Clue (1988)

Starring Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine, this twist on Sherlock Holmes was shot in the Lake District, including Derwentwater, Portinscale, and Windermere. It’s said that some of the cast and crew stayed at what used to be The Keswick Hotel and is now Keswick Country House Hotel.

The A Word (2016 - 2020)

The A Word is a drama series on BBC One. It was written by and stars Christopher Eccleston, Morven Christie, Lee Ingleby, Vinette Robinson, Max Vento, and Greg McHugh.

This hugely popular drama is set in a fictional Cumbrian town but was actually filmed in Keswick, Buttermere, Coniston, Kendal, and Thirlmere. They chose the Lakes as a setting not only for the striking landscape but also because they wanted to show that autism affects everyone, not just people in urban areas.

Supernova (2020)

The blockbuster Supernova, starring Colin Firth, and Stanley Tucci, and written and directed by Harry Macqueen, was filmed in various locations in the Lakes, but mostly around Keswick.

When you watch the film, you may be able to spot a great many familiar areas, including Keswick Market, Theatre by the Lake, Whinlatter, and Honister.

And slightly further afield

The Witcher Series 2 (2021)

Covid-19 forced the cast and crew to film all of season 2 of The Witcher in the UK. The Lake District locations are around Langdale including Blea Tarn, Hodge Close Quarry, and Rydal Cave (though we wouldn't recommend having a wash in its cold and murky waters as the character Jaskier did).

We’re delighted that TV and film are able to make use of the incredible surroundings of Keswick and the wider Lake District. Next time you visit, see how many filming locations you can spot!

For more on visiting us, such as where you can stay, the best Keswick attractions, as well as food and drink (and of course the Alhambra Cinema), take a look around our website.