Peaky Blinders Movie Locations in Birmingham: A Look at Their Current State
For the first time in Peaky Blinders history, scenes have been filmed in the home city of Birmingham. The new Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, is largely filmed in the city, including at Steven Knight's Digbeth Loc studios. The production also ventured out to some well-known parts of Birmingham that have changed significantly over the years.
The BSA Factory
We visited Armoury Road in Small Heath to check out the factory that plays a big part in the movie. While the original 25-acre BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) factory is no longer in operation, its history is highlighted on the more modern building. Founded in 1861, the company produced rifles for the British Army as well as bicycles, motorcycles, and cars. During the First World War, it became one of the largest arms manufacturers in Britain. The factory suffered damage during bombing in the Second World War and later struggled as the British motorcycle industry declined. The BSA factory closed in 1973 and is now part of a wider industrial park.
Calke Abbey
Some key scenes in the Netflix movie are filmed in the historic Derbyshire building of Calke Abbey. Scenes were shot inside various parts of the house, including corridors, the kitchen, the schoolroom, and other rooms normally used to store collections. Filming also took place in the stableyard and across the surrounding parkland. Calke Abbey has an unusual history; by the late twentieth century, it had fallen into serious decline and was preserved by the National Trust in a partially abandoned state, showing how many English country houses deteriorated during the twentieth century. Today, it is open to the public as a historic attraction with over 600 acres of parkland, gardens, and exhibition spaces. After the filming, new walking trails were created so visitors can explore the locations used on screen.
The Garrison Pub
Perhaps the most iconic location in Peaky Blinders is The Garrison pub. In the series, this pub is the headquarters and favourite meeting place of the Shelby gang. The fictional version is lavish inside, with polished brass and decorated mirrors, contrasting with the poverty of the surrounding streets. In reality, the Garrison Tavern was a genuine pub in Small Heath and was believed to have been frequented by real gangs from time to time. The pub closed in 2014 and stood abandoned for years. Recently, however, the building reopened in a completely different form—as a kitchen and bedroom showroom rather than a public house—illustrating how dramatically the area has changed. The pub stands on Garrison Lane, which could undergo a renaissance in time under plans to transform Birmingham City's home stadium.
Montague Street
Montague Street in Digbeth is the part of Birmingham that has embraced its place in Peaky Blinders culture the fullest. The area is close to the city’s film studios and has become associated with new productions and street art inspired by the show. Visitors can see walls adorned with Shelby family images and painted in fonts and colours associated with the series. Montague Street and the wider area are set for major transformation in plans for Birmingham's future.
