WEDNESDAY WHEREABOUTS: KNOWSLEY HALL
This month’s Wednesday Whereabouts looks at one of Liverpool City Region’s finest homes and grandest filming locations, Knowsley Hall.
Knowsley Hall is a magnificent stately home set within a private walled estate and has been the ancestral home of the Stanley family, the Earls of Derby, for over 600 years. Rich in heritage, the Hall combines centuries of history with beautifully preserved interiors, extensive landscaped grounds and a unique sense of exclusivity, offering filmmakers an authentic and highly versatile backdrop.
The Hall features an array of elegant State Rooms, historic architectural details, a sweeping staircase and formal spaces, alongside expansive parkland, woodland, lakes and outbuildings. This variety allows the Estate to double for a wide range of settings, from period dramas and historical productions to contemporary film, television and commercial shoots.
In addition to its visual appeal, Knowsley Hall offers privacy, flexibility and excellent logistical access, being located close to Liverpool and major transport links. Productions benefit from exclusive use opportunities, ample space for unit bases, and an experienced operations team who understand the requirements of high-profile productions and can support crews throughout filming.
What productions have filmed at Knowsley Hall?
Over the years, Knowsley Hall and the wider estate have welcomed a broad range of productions across television, film and commercial campaigns, including The Ipcress File, Peaky Blinders, Stay Close, Brassic, Funny Woman and A Gentleman in Moscow. The Estate has also featured in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, both of which utilised the grounds and Hall for a variety of scenes.
Knowsley Hall has additionally been used for documentaries and factual programming, including Great British Railway Journeys featuring Michael Portillo. The Estate has also hosted fashion campaigns, luxury automotive shoots and commercial productions for major brands.
“One of the most memorable productions to film at Knowsley Hall was undoubtedly Fackham Hall” says Niall Corden, Knowsley Hall’s Events Coordinator. “The production was based here for three consecutive weeks, which gave us the opportunity to build a genuine rapport with both the cast and crew. Because filming took place over an extended period, it was fascinating to see the Estate transformed on a daily basis and to witness the level of creativity and detail that goes into bringing a production to life. The experience also highlighted how adaptable the Hall is as a filming location, while creating a fantastic atmosphere throughout the Estate. The team were a pleasure to work with and having that longer-term collaboration made the experience particularly rewarding and memorable for everyone involved.”
What do you think makes Liverpool City Region so popular for productions, and how does your Knowsley Hall play a role in that?
The Liverpool City Region has become increasingly popular for productions due to its diverse range of locations, experienced local crews and strong support from the Liverpool Film Office. Within a relatively small geographical area, productions can access striking cityscapes, waterfronts, industrial settings, countryside and historic architecture, allowing the region to double for a wide range of locations both within the UK and internationally.
Knowsley Hall plays an important role in that offering by providing productions with a unique historic estate setting just a short distance from Liverpool city centre. The Hall offers both grand period interiors and expansive private grounds, giving productions a level of flexibility and exclusivity that can be difficult to find elsewhere. Its combination of heritage, scale and privacy means it can support everything from large-scale period dramas to contemporary productions, helping showcase the breadth and diversity of locations available across the Liverpool City Region.
Find out more – https://knowsleyhall.co.uk/