Gloucester on Screen 

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Gloucester’s magnificent architecture has attracted a range of film and TV producers over the years. Follow us as we explore some of the highlights: 

Sherlock – The Abominable Bride (2016) | The Crypt, Gloucester Cathedral 

This BBC’s Sherlock Christmas special, which aired in January 2016, turns back time to Victorian London in the 1890s to investigate a ghostly bride who appears to have committed murder. Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and Dr Watson travel to a Gloucester Cathedral which doubled as a desanctified church.  

The Crypt in Gloucester Cathedral. Image Credit - Gloucester Cathedral

The episode sees Sherlock and Dr Watson running through the dark night outside the Cathedral, followed by a descent into the hidden subterranean level – the Crypt. Here they follow a mysterious group dressed in purple hoods, and Sherlock proceeds to recount the series of events in an attempt to solve the case.

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

For the Harry Potter film series, Gloucester Cathedral was transformed to become one of the five locations making up the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk around and you may find the entrance to the Gryffindor Common room, petrified Ms Norris or even Harry & Ron skipping class!  

Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter Series, Photo Credit - Warner Bros.

The production filmed in very strategic ways to use these cloisters for various scenes across the first three movies, but they had to make some changes to disguise and protect the space such as covering modern electrical points with panels painted to look like the stone walls – these are still in place at the Cathedral now.  

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The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021) 

Former Gloucester Prison played feature in the Pembrokeshire Murder series where Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins, played by Luke Evans, investigates two unsolved murder cases that occurred on the Pembrokeshire coastline in 1980s.  

Gloucester Prison. Image by Gloucester Prison

Gloucester Prison, closed since 2013, was used as a location on the series for the prison scenes after John Cooper’s arrest, played by Keith Allen. The Detective needs to find more evidence before the perpetrator is released, do you think we will still find him hidden in one of the cells? 

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Doctor Who – Fugitive of the Judoon (2020), The Next Doctor (2008) 

The Judoon search modern day Gloucester for a fugitive, marching through Berkeley Street, Gloucester Cathedral grounds and inside the Cathedral itself. This episode features the thirteenth doctor played by Jodie Whittaker. 

The Cloisters in Gloucester Cathedral. Image by Visit Gloucester, Gloucester City Council

Gloucester Cathedral grounds were also used as a filming location for the Doctor Who’s 2008 Christmas Special – The Next Doctor, featuring David Tennant.  

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Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) 

From Disney Studios, the sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland hit the big screen in 2016. The production took over Gloucester Docks for a week with Mia Wasikowska playing Alice and Johnny Depp playing the Mad Hatter. This maritime scene in the docks doubled as period London circa 1850 and featured 300 crew, 150 extras, 40 technical vehicles, 18 horses and two llamas, five magnificent tall ships.  

Alice Through the Looking Glass filming in Gloucester Docks. Image by Liz Gooding

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Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2020) 

Based on Beatrix Potter’s characters and tales of Peter Rabbit, this movie features scenes of Gloucester. The iconic College Court was recreated in a studio, featuring all famous House of the Tailor of Gloucester, a Beatrix Potter Museum & shop now. The film also sees some beautiful scenes of the historic Gloucester Docks and the Cathedral.  

College Court. Image by Film Gloucester, Gloucester City Council

Peter Rabbit and his friends also visit a fictional Gloucester Farmers Market; however, Gloucester has its very own Farmers Market every Friday for you to visit! 

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Other productions include The Spanish Princess, The Informer and Mary Queen of Scots. To find out more about Film Gloucester and to see a full list of previous productions featuring Gloucester on screen, please visit www.filmgloucester.co.uk/filmed-in-gloucester