Cambridge is a fantastic place to visit if you’re interested in film and TV locations. Its historic architecture, iconic university colleges, and picturesque streets have made it a popular backdrop for a variety of productions, especially period dramas and biographical films.
Here are some notable examples:
- The Theory of Everything (2014)
- A biopic about physicist Stephen Hawking.
- Filming locations: St John’s College, King’s College, Queen’s Road, and Trinity College.
- These colleges are open to visitors, though access may be limited during term time.
- Chariots of Fire (1981)
- Features the famous Great Court Run scene at Trinity College.
- The college is open to the public and offers a glimpse into early 20th-century academic life.
- Grantchester (2014–present)
- A detective drama set in the 1950s.
- Filmed in the village of Grantchester and around Cambridge University.
- The village is just a short walk or cycle from the city centre and is a lovely spot for a countryside walk and pub lunch, with filming locations scattered throughout.
- Red Joan (2018)
- Inspired by the life of Soviet spy Melita Norwood.
- Filmed at Newnham College, Cambridge.
- The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
- A biopic about mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
- Filmed at Trinity College and other Cambridge locations.
- Maurice (1987)
- Maurice is a film based on the novel by E.M. Forster about gay love in the 20th century.
- Most of the scenes for this film were shot in the halls and quadrangles of King’s College. However, many other parts of Cambridge city can also be spotted throughout this film.
- The film won four awards at the Venice Film Festival and was one of the earliest of its kind to represent gay relationships.
- Ludwig (2024-present)
- David Mitchell’s puzzle-setter-turned-detective, John ‘Ludwig’ Turner, must stand in for his twin brother, DCI James Taylor, who has gone missing. Persuaded by his sister-in-law, he starts investigating.
- Ludwig filming locations in Cambridge include the River Cam, Queens’ Lane, Silver Street Bridge, Queens’ College, St John’s College, West Lane, the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge.