The TV and entertainment expert, OLBG, has carried out research to reveal which UK areas can be named the TV show capitals, based on factors such as the average review scores from platforms such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes for the shows filmed in the area, as well as how popular each location is amongst fans wanting to visit the local area based on search data.

The team also revealed the average cost of accommodation in each location.

The TV show capitals of the UK:

Dudley crowned the TV show capital of the UK

Located in the West Midlands, the market town of Dudley has been a popular setting for a host of TV shows over the years, including Dancing on the Edge and Peaky Blinders. Dudley scored well across the board, with the town having the second-highest Rotten Tomatoes audience score for shows filmed in the area, at 94 per cent.

Dunstable takes second place

Like Dudley, Dunstable is a market town that has proven to be a popular filming location for UK TV shows. The Bedfordshire town has featured in popular shows such as Apple TV’s Slow Horses, and recorded the second-highest average Rotten Tomatoes critic score across shows filmed in the town at 88 per cent.

Ellesmere Port completes the top 3

The industrial town of Ellesmere Port is located close to Liverpool and its architecture and surroundings have made it an ideal place for TV filming. The National Waterways Museum has featured in Peaky Blinders and will also play a role in the upcoming Netflix drama, House of Guinness. 

Further findings from the study also revealed:

• Unsurprisingly, London tops the list of UK locations that has featured in the highest number of TV shows, at 1,571. Other locations at the top of the list include Manchester, Hertfordshire and West Yorkshire.

• Ghosts is the most popular show on the list, with a TV show tourism score of 9.41 out of 10. It ranks third for its critic and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (96 per cent and 92 per cent, respectively).

• For fans wanting to visit popular UK filming locations, Bradford is the cheapest for accommodation. The average cost of a 3-star hotel per night will cost around £62, with the city playing host to shows such as Downton Abbey.

Jake Ashton, Senior News Editor at OLBG, commented: “TV shows have a unique way of bringing places to life, turning ordinary towns and cities into iconic settings that fans are eager to visit. Our report reveals the UK’s top filming locations that have captured viewers’ imaginations and become hotspots for TV tourists. The report reveals which locations offer the best mix of on-screen magic and real-world charm by looking at critic and audience ratings, Google searches, and hotel prices. Topping the list is Dudley, known for its starring role in Peaky Blinders, with a TV Show Tourism Score of 9.42 out of 10. The town’s Black Country Living Museum attracts production crews and TV fans for its authentic representation of early 20th-century Britain.  Larger cities like London and Manchester naturally feature the most filming locations, as they’re home to plenty of TV studios and production offices. While Bradford, Keighley, and Shipley stand out as budget-friendly gems.

“Among the shows, Ghosts is the most loved, with Peaky Blinders and Gavin and Stacey close behind. Each draws fans to memorable locations across the country. Whether it’s a stately home, a gritty industrial street, or a charming seaside town, these locations offer fans a special way to step into the world of their favourite series,” concluded Ashton.

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Tags: Gavin & Stacey, London, Peaky Blinders, UK