The UK is known for its incredibly diverse landscape. From gothic cathedrals and sleepy villages to dramatic cliffs and remote moorlands, the UK is home to a treasure trove of lesser-known spots that are perfect for filming.
These hidden gems offer more than just beauty, they provide filming flexibility, a unique atmosphere, and a strong sense of place that can set your production apart.
At Sugar Free TV, we’ve scouted and worked in locations all over the UK – and we know that sometimes the best spots are the ones most people overlook. In this blog, we’ll uncover some of the UK’s most underrated and visually striking filming spots.
Stokesay Castle, Shropshire
Tucked away in the heart of the Shropshire countryside, Stokesay Castle is a hidden gem among historic UK film locations. Dating back to the 13th century, this beautifully preserved manor blends medieval architecture with rustic surroundings. Think timber-framed buildings, ancient stone walls, battlements, and rolling green fields.
Its untouched charm makes it a standout setting for commercials or stills shoots that evoke heritage, authenticity or timeless elegance. Unlike busier heritage sites, Stokesay offers a sense of peacefulness, ideal for productions needing privacy, flexibility and minimal interruptions.
Kinlochleven, Scottish Highlands
Kinlochleven is a small village tucked between Glencoe and Ben Nevis, right in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, it has a raw, untamed feel that instantly grabs the eye.
What makes Kinlochleven stand out is the mix of natural beauty and industrial history. The village was once home to an aluminium smelter, and parts of that past remain with weathered buildings and old pipes that give the area a slightly gritty, post-industrial feel.
Kinlochleven isn’t overrun by tourists or film crews, which gives it a fresh, untouched quality. If you’re looking for a Highland location that offers both scenic grandeur and something a little different, this village is a powerful, versatile choice.
Portmeirion, North Wales
With its colourful buildings, ornate towers, and lush subtropical gardens, Portmeirion feels more like a Mediterranean daydream than a coastal Welsh village. Designed by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, this whimsical, Italianate village offers a setting that’s both theatrical and completely unique within the UK.
Though famously featured in the cult classic The Prisoner, Portmeirion remains surprisingly underutilised in contemporary film, partly due to its protected status and distinctive layout. Though, with careful planning it becomes a dream location for brands seeking a bold, surreal or otherworldly backdrop.
Tip: Portmeirion’s visual uniqueness makes it ideal for stylised campaigns. With the right prep, we can help navigate logistics and unlock full creative potential.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Dramatic, wild and impossibly cinematic. The Isle of Skye offers some of the most visually striking landscapes in the UK. Towering cliffs, windswept moorlands, ancient stone formations and mist covered lochs combine to create an atmosphere that’s both rugged and surreal.
Despite its epic scale, Skye is surprisingly workable for commercials and stills with the right prep. We’ve filmed here before and can vouch for its versatility across brand styles, whether you’re looking for elemental beauty or something that leans into mood and atmosphere.
For productions after a bold visual identity or storytelling rooted nature, Skye makes a powerful impression, especially during golden hour or in shifting coastal light.
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
This stretch of the Northumberland coast is full of atmosphere. Starting in the small fishing village of Craster, the path follows the shoreline to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, a dramatic 14th-century fortress perched on a rocky cliff above the sea.
It’s the most visually striking stretch of coastline in the UK, but it remains relatively untouched by productions. The combination of sea, wind, cliffs, and history creates a perfect setting for period pieces, historical fiction, or scenes that need a sense of wild isolation. The remoteness of the location adds to its impact on screen.
Castlefield, Manchester
Right in the heart of Manchester, Castlefield stands apart as a place that’s stayed true to its roots. With the cobbled streets, red brick viaducts, winding canals and towering ironwork, it’s a living reminder of the city’s industrial beginnings. Unlike so many similar locations across the UK that have been overly developed Castlefield is one of the few places that feels untouched by time.
Castlefield offers a visually rich, layered setting that feels grounded and real. This makes it an incredibly versatile filming location, ideal for period-style scenes that need heritage detail without modern intrusions as well as shoots looking to tap into Manchester’s roots without losing atmosphere contemporary infrastructure.
Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle
East of Newcastle’s city centre lies the Ouseburn Valley, a hidden gem where industrial past meets creative present. Once a bustling shipbuilding and manufacturing zone, Ouseburn has reinvented itself as a cultural quarter, with independent galleries, live music venues and craft breweries lining the riverbanks.
The area’s industrial heritage is still evident in its brick buildings and riverside infrastructure, but it’s softened by green spaces and the flowing Ouseburn River. This balance makes Ouseburn ideal for productions seeking an alternative urban backdrop, combining creative energy with historic texture.
We know the area well, with our Newcastle office in Hoults Yard, giving us close access to this rich landscape. It means we’re on hand to help productions navigate everything from access logistics to finding those tucked away corners that really elevate a shoot.
Shetland Islands, Scotland
Sitting far to the north, where Scotland meets the North Sea, the Shetland Islands offer a stark, striking kind of beauty. The landscapes are wide and open, with dramatic coastlines, quiet croft houses and a constant interplay of sea and sky that creates a naturally cinematic backdrop.
It’s a powerful setting for brands looking to capture something visually striking and atmospheric. With our on-the-ground experience in the Shetlands, Sugar Free TV can help make your production seamless from start to finish.
Falkner Square, Liverpool
Liverpool’s historic Georgian Quarter, Falkner Square offers a slice of 19th-century refinement that rivals anything you’d find in London but with more flexibility and far fewer crowds.
Lined with beautifully preserved Georgian townhouses, wrought iron railings and mature trees, the square has a timeless elegance. It’s the kind of location that instantly places you in a different era, making it ideal for any production looking for classic British architecture.
At Sugar Free TV, we love how Falker Square combines visual richness with logistical ease; it’s one of those rare places that feels grand and manageable.
Digbeth, Birmingham
Tucked just outside the city centre, Digbeth is one of Birmingham’s most distinctive areas, a place where history and creativity collide in the best way. Once home to metalworks and workshops, it’s now known for colourful street art and a thriving independent scene.
Old factories, exposed brick walls and warehouse spaces give the area authentic character, while the energy of local artists and makers brings it to life. It’s a setting that feels unpolished in all the right ways, full of personality and visual charm.
Digbeth works brilliantly for productions that need a bold urban backdrop with an authentic urban feel.
We know the area inside out and can help make the most of its hidden corners and creative energy, whether you’re capturing a bold campaign or quick turnaround content.
Why these locations matter
The right location does more than look good on screen, it shapes the story, sets the tone, and supports the practical needs of a production.
For productions seeking both authenticity and cinematic power, the right location makes all the difference. At Sugar Free TV, we understand how to match creative vision with practical realities – finding locations that look incredible on screen and work behind the scenes. As demand grows for fresh, distinctive backdrops, these hidden gems stand ready to inspire. Whether you’re creating a commercial, stills campaign or online content, choosing the right location can make all the difference. At Sugar Free TV, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading service production companies, trusted for our expertise in managing commercial video productions and stills shoots of all shapes and sizes.
Let’s chat! We’d love to hear about your project and explore how we can bring your vision to life. Get in touch with us.