The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley has become a prominent filming location for Hollywood movies and major television series, leveraging its authentic historic streets, homes, shops, and industrial landscapes. The museum's Victorian and Edwardian settings have been used to bring early 20th-century Birmingham to life in the BBC's acclaimed drama Peaky Blinders, where its canal-side area served as the setting for Charlie Strong's yard across all series of the show and its subsequent film.
Notable Productions Filmed at the Museum
Beyond Peaky Blinders, the museum appeared in the 2018 film Stan & Ollie, starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly, and in The Colour Room, a 2021 film about pottery pioneer Clarice Cliff, featuring Phoebe Dynevor. More recently, it was used for ITV's Three Little Birds, written by Sir Lenny Henry and inspired by his mother's experiences of moving from Jamaica to Britain.
According to the museum, its versatility has attracted a wide range of projects beyond drama, including factual programmes such as 24 Hours in the Past, Celebrity MasterChef, and Antiques Roadshow. BBC Radio 4 has also recorded episodes of Gardeners' Question Time and The Kitchen Cabinet at the site.
Facilities and Appeal for Filmmakers
Set across 29 acres, the museum features canals, an underground mine, a foundry, and industrial areas, making it suitable for productions ranging from blockbuster films and television dramas to documentaries and music videos. It offers on-site parking, catering, and production facilities to support filming crews.
Located on Tipton Road, the museum has become one of the Black Country's most recognisable television and film locations, introducing millions of viewers to the region through some of the UK's most popular productions. The museum is now actively promoting itself to location managers and production companies seeking authentic period settings.
Impact on the Region
This filming activity has positioned the museum as a key contributor to the local economy and cultural profile, drawing production teams and visitors alike. The continued use of the site by high-profile projects underscores its value as a versatile and historically accurate backdrop, ensuring its ongoing relevance in the UK's film and television industry.
