Pendle offers a visually rich and versatile backdrop for filmmakers, with everything from dramatic moorland and rolling countryside to historic villages and gritty industrial heritage.
Notably, the Netflix film Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger utilised various locations in Burnley and Pendle, showcasing the area’s blend of historic and contemporary architecture. The village of Downham, with its preserved historical appearance, has been a popular filming location for period dramas such as the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind and the BBC series Born and Bred. Colne Town played host to the iconic Hovis ad in the 80s and also in The Every Sperm is Sacred number in Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. Most recently, Mercury Prize Winner ‘English Teacher’ filmed the music video for their single ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’ in the town centre and wider Colne; featuring some iconic spots. This little town is known locally as Bonnie Colne on th’ill with a handsome Victorian High Street and its ranks of terraced housing snaking down both sides of the ridge on which it sits. Colne is where the story of the Pendle Witches began and was home to Titanic bandleader and hero, Wallace Hartley.
The iconic Pendle Hill, atmospheric woodlands, and centuries-old architecture provide stunning, cinematic settings that suit period dramas, thrillers, documentaries, and more. With relatively low location costs, supportive local authorities, and accessible transport links to major production hubs like Manchester and Leeds, Pendle is an ideal filming location. Whether you’re capturing rural tranquillity, historical intrigue, or northern character, Pendle delivers authentic landscapes and a wealth of untapped creative potential.
