--- title: "The Film Buff’s Guide to Wells: Films and TV Shows Shot in England’s Smallest City" description: Discover films and TV shows filmed in Wells, Somerset. Explore iconic venues like Wells Cathedral and take a self-guided Hot Fuzz location tour. image: http://www.passthekeys.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1133163983-1.jpg --- - [Services](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/services/?hsLang=en) - [Pricing](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/pricing/?hsLang=en) - [Sign In](https://portal.passthekeys.co.uk) - [Calculate your income](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#register) [![](http://www.passthekeys.com/hubfs/ptk-logo-website.svg)](https://www.passthekeys.com/?hsLang=en) - [Services](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/services?hsLang=en) - [Pricing](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/pricing?hsLang=en) - [Sign In](https://portal.passthekeys.co.uk) - [Calculate your Income](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#register) # The Film Buff’s Guide to Wells: Films and TV Shows Shot in England’s Smallest City Though small in size, the city of Wells in Somerset has played some mighty roles on screen. From the cult-classic status of Hot Fuzz to appearances in royal dramas and fantasy series, Wells’ medieval streets, gothic cathedral, and preserved... by Pass the Keys Wells | Holiday Let Management | Wells | Short term letting | Vacation rental | Unique attractions | Things to do | Film | 20 Jun 2025 Though small in size, the city of **Wells in Somerset** has played some mighty roles on screen. From the cult-classic status of *Hot Fuzz* to appearances in royal dramas and fantasy series, Wells’ medieval streets, gothic cathedral, and preserved architecture have made it a magnet for filmmakers. Whether you're a cinephile, a *Hot Fuzz* superfan, or just visiting Somerset, this guide takes you through the **films and TV shows filmed in Wells**, including **British and American productions** — both old and brand new — along with a **self-guided location tour**. ![shutterstock\_2021040458-1](http://www.passthekeys.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2021040458-1.jpg?width=1000&height=665&name=shutterstock_2021040458-1.jpg) --- ## 🎞️ Why Wells? - **Cinematic architecture:** From the stunning Wells Cathedral to the Bishop’s Palace moat and Vicar’s Close (the oldest purely residential street in Europe). - **Historical atmosphere:** Wells has doubled for medieval England, regal Europe, and even fictional towns. - **Compact filming zone:** Most iconic locations are within a 15-minute walk — perfect for set designers *and* visitors. --- ## 📽️ Films Shot in Wells ### **1. *Hot Fuzz* (2007)** **Where:** Wells Market Place, Crown at Wells Hotel, Swan Hotel, Bishop’s Palace, and more **Why It’s Legendary:** Edgar Wright's action-comedy classic starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost was almost entirely filmed in Wells — with the city doubling as the fictional town of “Sandford.” **Key Locations:** - **Market Place:** Home of the "Sandford Police Station" (actually the old Town Hall) - **Swan Hotel:** The pub where Angel and Danny have their memorable chats - **Bishop’s Palace Grounds & Moat:** Location of the dramatic shootout - **City Centre Shops:** Transformed into local Sandford businesses **What to Expect:** Practically every major scene in *Hot Fuzz* was filmed within walking distance in central Wells. A *must* for film tourists. --- ### **2. *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007)** **Where:** Wells Cathedral **Why It’s Regal:** The cathedral’s gothic interior and cloisters stood in for Westminster Abbey during Queen Elizabeth I's dramatic procession. **What to Look For:** - **The Nave and Chapter House:** Featured in scenes of royal grandeur and religious ritual. --- ### **3. *The Huntsman: Winter’s War* (2016)** **Where:** Bishop’s Palace and surrounding grounds **Why It’s Magical:** This fantasy epic starring Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth used Wells to evoke an enchanted kingdom. **What to Look For:** - Stone bridges, archways, and manicured gardens transformed with CGI for magical effect. --- ## 📺 TV Shows Filmed in Wells ### **1. *Poldark* (BBC, 2015–2019)** **Where:** Vicar’s Close and areas around the Cathedral **Why It’s Timeless:** Though primarily shot in Cornwall, several episodes of *Poldark* filmed scenes in Wells to portray Georgian town life. **What to Look For:** - **Vicar’s Close:** With no visible modern features, it’s ideal for period drama. - **Cathedral Green:** Frequently used as background for political or church-related scenes. --- ### **2. *Wolf Hall* (BBC/MASTERPIECE, 2015)** **Where:** Wells Cathedral **Why It’s Authentic:** This historical drama starring Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis relied on Wells for 16th-century ecclesiastical settings. **What to Look For:** - **Cathedral interiors** used for scenes involving Cardinal Wolsey and church ceremonies. --- ### **3. *Doctor Who* (Various Episodes)** **Where:** Wells Cathedral and side streets **Why It’s Sci-Fi Gold:** Although more commonly filmed in Cardiff, *Doctor Who* has used Wells for several “alien” or medieval backdrops. **What to Look For:** - **Cloisters and alleys near the Cathedral** dressed as faraway planets or dystopian pasts. ![shutterstock\_1837357165-2](http://www.passthekeys.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1837357165-2.jpg?width=1000&height=750&name=shutterstock_1837357165-2.jpg) --- ## 🆕 New & Upcoming Productions ### **4. *The Winter King* (ITVX, 2023–2024)** **Where:** Areas around Wells, including countryside and ancient structures **Why It’s New:** Based on Bernard Cornwell’s Arthurian novels, this gritty new fantasy series used locations near Wells to portray post-Roman Britain. **What to Look For:** - Castles and woodland areas surrounding Wells featured in sweeping battle scenes. --- ## 🎥 Hot Fuzz Walking Tour: A Self-Guided Location Trail Here’s how to walk Wells like you’re Sergeant Nicholas Angel: | Scene | Real-Life Location | | --- | --- | | Sandford Police Station | **Town Hall, Market Place** | | Pub scenes with Danny | **Swan Hotel & Crown at Wells** | | The big shootout finale | **Market Square and Bishop’s Palace grounds** | | Church scenes | **Wells Cathedral & gardens** | | Newsagent and corner shop | **Streets off High Street, dressed for the film** | | Swan escape chase | **Wells Recreation Ground & riverside path** |   **Start at the Town Hall, loop around the Cathedral Green, and finish at the Bishop’s Palace for a full Hot Fuzz tour in under 90 minutes.** --- ## 🌍 Why Wells Continues to Attract Filmmakers - **Unspoiled medieval charm**: No phone wires, no glass storefronts, and barely a traffic light in sight. - **Versatile architecture**: Gothic, Georgian, Tudor, and fantasy-friendly all within one town. - **Supportive local governance**: Wells has a history of accommodating film crews with ease. --- ## 🎞️ Final Take: Wells, A City Built for the Screen From bumbling village constables and medieval queens to wizards, aliens, and royal weddings, **Wells has played it all**. The city’s cinematic potential continues to attract major production studios — and it remains one of the best-preserved filming locations in the UK. If you're planning a trip, **follow in the footsteps of Simon Pegg, Cate Blanchett, and Matt Smith** — and experience England’s smallest city through a film lens. --- ## 🏡 Where to Stay Make your movie pilgrimage complete by staying in a local property. **Pass the Keys** offers professionally managed short-term rentals in and around Wells — perfect for film tourists, history buffs, or those simply looking for a storybook escape. #### Read a previous blog post Worthing on Screen: Films and TV Shows Filmed in Worthing, UK #### Read the next blog post Top Areas for Short-Term Rentals in Tunbridge Wells ## Get started today or speak to a host advisor Book a call with our host advisors today and have all of your questions answered [Calculate your Income](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#register) [Book a call](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#contact-us) [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/passthekeys.com) ### General [Host](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/host/?hsLang=en) [Book](https://book.passthekeys.com/) [Franchise](https://franchise.passthekeys.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/privacy-policy/?hsLang=en) [Host Resources](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/host-resources/?hsLang=en) ### Company [About Us](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/about-us/?hsLang=en) [Careers](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/careers/?hsLang=en) [![Pass The Keys](http://www.passthekeys.com/hubfs/ptk-logo-website-white.svg)](https://www.passthekeys.com?hsLang=en) Pass the Keys Limited is an independent third party and is not affiliated or endorsed by Airbnb or its affiliates, in any way. 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