Over the past two decades, one North East attraction has quietly become a star in its own right, appearing in some of Britain’s best-loved television dramas, blockbuster films, and children’s shows.
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, in County Durham, has transformed from a beloved heritage site into a go-to filming location for some of the UK’s biggest productions.
From Downton Abbey and All Creatures Great and Small to Blue Peter and Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad, Beamish has welcomed countless cast and crew members to its cobbled streets.
Downton Abbey at Beamish
Beamish was thrust into the spotlight in October 2018, when more than 100 cast and crew from Downton Abbey arrived to film scenes for the highly anticipated movie.
Stars including Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore), Sophie McShera (Daisy), Kevin Doyle (Mr Molesley), and Mark Addy (Mr Bakewell) all spent time at the open-air museum.
Filming took place in the museum’s 1900s Town, featuring sets such as the garage and Co-op store.
The museum’s beautifully preserved trams and horse-drawn carriages also appeared on screen, including Tram 31, which trundled through the town street in the movie, and Tram 114, spotted during the 2015 Downton Abbey Christmas special, the final episode of the original TV series.
Beamish’s Motor & Cycle Works doubled as “Talbot and Branson Motors”, the fictional garage run by Tom Branson and Henry Talbot in the film, a fitting tribute to the early automotive era the museum so authentically represents.
Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s deputy director, said at the time: “We were thrilled to welcome Downton Abbey’s cast and crew to Beamish for filming.
"Our wonderful open-air museum brings history to life, so it was exciting to see it featured on the big screen, with some of our staff and period vehicles involved.”
All Creatures Great and Small
Beamish’s cinematic résumé doesn't end with Downton.
In 2023, the museum once again found itself in front of the camera, this time for Channel 5’s hit reboot of All Creatures Great and Small.
The museum’s 1900s Town was temporarily transformed into Sunderland in 1945, complete with wartime vehicles and shopfronts, for a storyline in series sixth.
The attention to period detail made Beamish the ideal stand-in for post-war northern England, a perfect fit for the beloved series inspired by James Herriot’s veterinary tales.
Royal Connections and National Icons
Beamish has also appeared in several documentaries, proving its versatility extends beyond drama.
In Inside Windsor Castle: A Royal Residence, presenter JJ Chalmers visited Beamish’s 1940s Farm to meet the museum’s “Lumberjills” — women who took on gruelling forestry work during the Second World War.
The segment offered a moving look at women’s wartime contributions and highlighted Beamish’s authentic living-history displays.
Blue Peter and the Joy of Discovery
Even long-running children’s TV show, Blue Peter, has filmed at Beamish.
For a book club episode, presenter Shini Muthukrishnan and a group of young viewers donned Edwardian costumes and tackled history-themed challenges, from identifying mystery objects to washing laundry with a poss tub and mangle.
The episode, based on Greg Jenner’s You Are History, brought a younger audience into the world of Beamish, blending entertainment and education — much like the museum itself.
Star Power from Matt Baker to Mr Tumble
North East favourite Matt Baker also chose Beamish for his heartfelt series Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad, spending a day exploring the museum’s attractions alongside his parents.
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Children’s TV icon Mr Tumble (Justin Fletcher) filmed an episode of Something Special at Beamish, charming visitors as he explored the 1900s Town and baked bread in Herron’s Bakery.
Global Appeal – From German TV to Historical Epics
Beamish’s appeal is truly international.
German TV reporter Marina Wenk filmed a travel feature for Volle Kanne, praising the museum’s authenticity: “It really did feel like a journey back in time. It’s impressive that this place is alive — that you can really get a 1950s hairstyle, or ride a tram that goes from A to B. It was an unforgettable experience.”
The museum also featured in the World War I film The War Below, the Channel 5 series Walking Britain’s Lost Railways with Rob Bell, and Sir Tony Robinson’s History of Britain, in which the Time Team legend explored Beamish’s Victorian and Georgian exhibits.
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