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British Waterways has mapped out the most iconic film and TV locations on the nation’s 2,200-mile network of canals, rivers and docks. Use the clickable film map on the left or choose a region from the list below to discover the real-life film sets on your doorstep

Click here for information about filming on Britain's waterways

Three Mills Island: Clock Mill and House Mill.

Big Brother Series 1 and 2 (2000-2001), Three Mills Island, Bromley-by-Bow, E3

The first ‘Big Brother House’ was built next to Three Mills Film Studios on the Bow Back Rivers. Channel 4 weren't sure that the show would be a hit and only had planning permission for two years, after which the house was pulled down and the site returned to its natural habitat. The adjacent river is now the site of a new lock being built by British Waterways to enable boats to enter the 2012 Olympic Park.

Canary Wharf from the Thames.

The World is Not Enough (1999), Docklands, E14

Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond hit the water in London’s Docklands for a high-speed boat chase – a classic Bond action sequence. Technically he couldn’t have driven his boat from the Thames into the docks without waiting for 10 minutes to go through West India Dock lock. Of course this might have looked a bit odd on the chase sequence.

Isle of Dogs: West India Docks lock.

28 Weeks Later (2007), Canary Wharf, E14

28 Weeks Later, the sequel to cult film 28 Days Later, about the infection of the UK by a killer virus, was filmed at Canary Wharf in September 2006. The Canary Wharf area represented District 1, the ‘clean’ area of London that has been cleared of the virus.

Narrowboats moored at Little Venice on the Regent's Canal.

The Lady Vanishes (1938), London N1

Alfred Hitchcock filmed a number of his early movies at Gainsborough Studios beside the Regent’s Canal near Shoreditch Park, but this comedy thriller is thought to be one of the great director’s best British productions. The studios have now been converted into flats.

Bridge over the Canal - Bilton Road Bridge on the Grand Union Canal in Alperton, Middlesex.

Eastenders, London

BBC producers have filmed many scenes for the soap on London’s canals, but by far the most famous are ‘Dirty’ Den’s apparent death in 1989 and then subsequent return in 2003, filmed in Alperton on the Grand Union Canal, which was watched by over 16million viewers.

The Portwey tug in West India dock.

RocknRolla (2008), Docklands, West India Dock, E14

Guy Ritchie’s London based gangster film took in the scenery of Docklands while the London gangsters sipped champagne aboard a cruise ship. West India Dock proved to be the perfect holding cell for Tom Wilkinson and his Russian rival to lock horns.

Grand Union Canal in Berkhamsted.

The Bargee (1964), Berkhamsted

The classic comedy, which follows canal barge Casanova, Hemel Pike, who has a girl in every town along his Grand Union Canal route, was filmed around Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

The Grand Union Canal at Bulbourne.

Midsomer Murders (2003 and 2006), Harefield and Bulbourne

The popular crime series has filmed storylines in both Harefield and Bulbourne on the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire.

Oxford Canal approaching Isis Lock.

Inspector Morse, Oxford Canal, Oxford

Due to Oxford’s seemingly endless supply of unfortunates meeting suspicious ends, John Thaw’s Morse was often found morosely pondering waterside crime scenes in this classic detective series.

Gloucester Docks - Marina at Gloucester Docks.

Amazing Grace (2006), Gloucester

Gloucester Docks, with its old warehouses as a backdrop, provided the perfect setting to recreate East India Docks in London circa 1780 for this period film about the abolition of the slave trade. Temporary scenery was needed to cover the more modern buildings in the docks!

Gloucester Docks.

The Colour of Magic (2008), Gloucester

One of Terry Pratchett’s famous ‘Discworld’ novels was brought to life in Gloucester Docks, which became the docks of Ankh-Morpork, a dangerous city in the fantasy realm. David Jason and Christopher Lee starred in the adaptation.

Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Edgbaston.

Dalziel and Pascoe, Birmingham

The TV detective duo have been seen looking for clues in the industrial settings along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal in Edgbaston.

The Grand Union Canal in Birmingham.

Clubbed (2008), Birmingham

This new film, set in the 80s nightclub scene, promises to follow in the footsteps of popular Brit flicks, features scenes shot by the Grand Union Canal in Camp Hill, Birmingham.

The Stratford upon Avon Canal at Kingswood Junction, Warwickshire.

Rosie and Jim (1990-2003)

In this children’s TV classic, mischievous Rosie and Jim toured the canals, mostly around Stratford-Upon-Avon, in a narrowboat called the Ragdoll. The boat’s owner is convinced that Rosie and Jim are just ordinary dolls, however, each time they dock and the owner visits the latest town en-route, Rosie and Jim magically come to life and secretly follow the owner, often causing mishaps and high-jinks.

Beeston Canal, Nottingham.

This is England (2006)

Shots beside the Nottingham and Beeston Canal set the scene before the shocking climax of this recent hit film about skinheads, by edgy East Midlands director Shane Meadows, which won the BAFTA award for Best British Film in 2008.

The Victoria Embankment, Nottingham.

Boon (1989-1992), Nottingham

The classic TV series about a former fireman turned Private Investigator filmed extensively around Nottingham, including Trent Lane Basin and on many spots on the River Trent and the Nottingham and Beeston canal.

Moorings at Market Drayton on the Shropshire Union Canal.

Peep Show (2007), Shropshire

In the award-winning comedy show’s fourth series, main characters Mark and Jez take a narrow boat trip on the Shropshire Union Canal for Mark’s stag do, with predictably disastrous consequences.

Shropshire Union Canal, Chester.

Hollyoaks, Chester

The Shropshire Union Canal in Chester is a popular backdrop in the Channel 4 teen drama series. The show’s producers have also filmed by the canal in Manchester.

The Pontysyllte Aqueduct in Llangollen, Denbighshire.

Two Fat Ladies (1997), Llangollen, North Wales

The larger-than-life chefs crossed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, near Wrexham with their famous motorbike and sidecar onboard a boat, on their way to cook for a Welsh male voice choir. The aqueduct is now in line to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Portland Basin.

Coronation Street, Greater Manchester

Britain’s longest-running TV soap has filmed by canals on a number of occasions. The most famous scenes were when the Street’s Platt family were driven into the water at Portland Basin at the junction of the Ashton and Huddersfield Narrow canals in 2003. The traumatised David Platt dramatically repeated the feat in 2007 at the same spot.

Rochdale Canal, Canal Street, Manchester.

Scallywagga (2008), Greater Manchester

The new BBC3 sketch series featuring up and coming northern comedians has filmed scenes on the Rochdale Canal in Manchester.

Holme Valley.

Last of the Summer Wine (1973-present), Holmfirth

Britain’s longest-running sitcom has followed the misadventures of the delinquent, aging trio Compo, Foggy and Clegg in the stunning backdrop of the Holme Valley, through which the Huddersfield Narrow Canal flows. In a 2004 episode, ‘Tarzan of the Towpath’, Compo reminisces on the canal bank about when horses on the towpath pulled the barges.

Attercliffe - Canalside Works. Photo taken from Sheffield & Tinsley Canal towpath west of Staniforth Road bridge.

The Full Monty (1997), Sheffield

The film that launched a northern cinema boom in the late 90s featured one of the most iconic scenes on a canal, as characters Gaz and Dave are abandoned by Nathan on a sinking car in the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal on Bacon Lane in Attercliffe.

Aldwark. Mooring on the River Ouse.

Crusoe (2008), North Yorkshire

Large-scale filming took place on the River Ouse in North Yorkshire for this forthcoming big budget adaptation of the Daniel Defoe novel for American TV network NBC, which stars Sean Bean and Sam Neill.

The Forth and Clyde Canal at Bonnybridge.

Young Adam (2003)

Ewan McGregor starred in this brooding drama set on a barge travelling on the Forth and Clyde Canal between Glasgow and Edinburgh, showcasing some quality acting performances as well as the scenery along the canal.

Forth & Clyde Canal. Looking east from Lock 35 at Garscadden.

Taggart

The long-running Scottish detective series has used the Forth and Clyde Canal as a location on a number of occasions.

Alongside Loch Lochy on The Great Glen Way.

Local Hero (1983), Fort William

An American oil company sends a man to Scotland to buy up an entire village where they want to build a refinery, but things don't go as expected in this culture clash classic, which features scenes in Fort William on Loch Lochy.

Cruising on the Caledonian Canal.

The Woman Who Ate Scotland (2006), Great Glen

Scotland’s intrepid TV chef travelled along the Caledonian canal in 2006, sampling culinary delights including smoked trout and seaweed while admiring the spectacular scenery of the Great Glen.

Loch Ness shoreline - The wooded and craggy south shore.

Loch Ness (1996) - Inverness

One of British Waterways’ most famous locations has inspired many a fable and this family film where Ted Danson, yes, you’ve guessed it, finds the Loch Ness Monster. Aside from the chance of a glimpse of ‘Nessie’ there’s much more to see around the great loch.

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