When Hollywood came to the Lake District

It's fair to say there's been more than a few occasions that Hollywood blockbusters have called the Lake District to lights, camera and action. 

And when there's bright lights, there's bright stars - making the region a temporary home to stars such as Tom Cruise, Kristen Stewart and Renee Zellweger over the years. 

We've complied a list of films and TV shows that have been filmed or based on Cumbria - and it might just surprise you to find out that some of the movie business' biggest flicks may very well have been filmed on the land you roam. 

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, welcomes the home of the stars making its way to region. 

"We love welcoming film and TV productions to the Lake District, Cumbria. Our county is home to an array of different landscapes and backdrops, so it’s no wonder that location scouts choose to bring productions here.

"Major productions can bring many benefits to Cumbria, with the potential to employ local people and use local accommodation and facilities before the finished product hits the screen. Meanwhile seeing the beautiful Cumbrian countryside showcased on the big screen can reach worldwide audiences and inspire visits to the area," she said. 

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

A-LIST: Tom Cruise skydiving across Buttermere Lake.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise was spotted skydiving from a helicopter in an impressive stunt as he filmed for the latest movie in the Mission Impossible franchise. 
The 59 year-old was pictured paragliding across the picturesque Buttermere Lake last year. 

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

Released in 2015, the majestic sites of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite were pictured as the Millennium Falcon flies into Takodana, with the mountains of Skiddaw pictured within the digitised shot. 

Miss Potter (2006)

SHOT: Yew Tree Farm, Coniston. The farm was owned by Beatrix Potter and was used as a location in the 2006 film "Miss Potter". It is now owned by the National Trust and run as a working farm, B&B, tea room and butchers..
No surprise that one of Cumbria's best known-figures, Beatrix Potter's, autobiographical film Miss Potter was filmed in the Lake District - allowing for actress Renee Zellweger to portray the life of the children's book authors rise to fame. 
Included in the back-drop and the narrative are the sites of Loughrigg, Grasmere, Loweswater and Coniston - with Whitehaven's The Rum Story making an appearance as the set of William Heelis’ offices. 

28 Days Later (2008)
ZOMBIES: 28 Days Later filmed at Ennerdale. Credit: PA  
Danny Boyle's cult classic zombie movie brought actor Cillian Murphy to the region's Forestry Commission land at Ennerdale Water, between Cockermouth and Egremont, for the emphatic ending scene - no spoilers! 

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

LOCATED: Dream lunchspot at Bassenthwaite Lake Station (Image: Newsquest)
Not so much filmed in the Lake District but the French SNCF steam train which featured film version of the classic tale can now be visited at the Bassenthwaite Lake Station, perfect for film-buffs and coffee-lovers alike. 

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) 

The Fairy Tale was shot at the sites of Blea Tarn. Credit : Cumbria Tourism
Based on the original Grimm fairy tale, the movie brought around A-listers such as Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth to the Lakes' as they used locations such as the Cathedral Cave and Blea Tarn within its production. 

The Voyage of Dr Dolittle (2020) 

ALL-GO: Creating the set at Kirkby Lonsdale. Credit: Jon Granger.
The village of Kirkby Lonsdale was transformed into Victorian era Britain for a chase scene in Dolittle: a fantasy film about Doctor Dolittle which brought the likes of Robert Downey Jr and Antonio Banderas to South Lakes town. 

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