We are so lucky to be in such an amazingly beautiful part of the country! Every day when we step outside our front door we are blown away by the stunning fells, the vast rivers, jagged gorges and the distant mountains of The Lake District.
Over the past few years we’ve realised it’s obviously not just us who thinks so and this is shown in the amount of movies and tv shows that have been filmed all around us. Don’t believe us? We’ve made a list of all the films you may have seen in recent years that are filmed within an hours drive of our porch. You might want to give them a look and head out for a drive to visit some of them yourself. Many are in breath taking locations and some might surprise you!
 
1.Mis Potter – 2006           
 
Keswick and Derwentwater are the main filming locations, this area was also the setting for a number of Beatrix’s books.  An hour from the hotel.
Yew Tree Farm, Coniston is located in the Yewdale valley and is a stand in for Beatrix’s farmhouse of Hill Top in the movie. Hill Top is also used and is now the location of a museum on her life which is also worth a visit. An hour from the hotel.
Coniston and Tarn Hows. Tarn Hows and the surrounding land was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929 and is now owned by the National Trust. An hour from the hotel.
The Settle to Carlisle passes by us on the other side of Wild Boar Fell (out to the east of the hotel), through Kirkby Stephen. Travel over Arten Gill viaduct  which is also seen on the promotional poster for the film and enjoy a tour of the dales from their onboard guides. (See their website for more information on guides, when steam trains are available and the trainline itself). You can join this railway from Kirkby Stephen railway station, 7 minute drive.

 2.Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens - 2015
Derwentwater and Thirlmere both feature in The Force Awakens fight scene. Sometime The Lake District is so beautiful it could actually be on another planet. Don’t believe us? Here’s a video showing exactly whos where and whats what.  https://youtu.be/wGieq00_yfE

An hour/ an hour and 20 from the hotel.
 
3.Swallows and Amazons – 2016
Keithley and Worth Valley railway is well worth a visit and features early on in the movie as they start their adventure. This breath-taking railway journey takes you through Bronte country and although is a little far from us, its still easy enough to visit in a day. 45 mins/ an hour from us.
Coniston and Haweswater feature heavily in the film for obvious reasons. You can take a boat out yourself but please don’t forget that the islands are privately owned and unfortunately aren’t available for your own Swallow and Amazon adventure. 50 minutes to an hour from us.
Plumpton rocks near Harrogate play host to The Amazon’s camp in the movie in a very atmospheric way! Only a short drive from Harrogate and Thirsk, it’s well worth a visit. Have a walk around the lake followed by lunch at Betty’s and even a visit to Mother Shipton’s Cave in Thirsk. An hour and 20 minutes.
 
4.Paddington 2 – 2017
If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recognise the Cumbrian countryside of Ullswater power past as the steam train scene uses the hills and lakes as a backdrop.  45 minutes from us.
 
 5.Peter Rabbit – 2018
Hill Top farm, the home of Beatrix Potter herself, feature in the film along with the little village of Hawkshead. Hawkshead is worth a visit on its own; grab an ice cream in the centre of town, visit the cat cafe and enjoy the National Trust shop then head up to her house and museum. An hour from us.
Wray Castle also plays a part in the film and is a fantastic day out with the kids for its individual history and lakeside views.  An hour and 15 minutes from us.
 
6.Harry Potter and the deathly hallows part 1. - 2010
Malham cove in North Yorkshire is featured in the Harry Potter series as the location of Harry and Hermione’s encampment on the limestone pavement. The pavement itself I located on top of a large cliff which is reachable by climbing the side of the scar on the designated footpath. It really is a sight to behold and a lovely walk. Around the village of Malham are plenty of other lovely natural phenomenon, such as Janet’s Foss, to explore. Nice weather is a must due to there being no barriers on the side of the very large cliff face – not too safe on a windy day. An hour from us.
 
7.1917 – 2019
Filming for 1917 took place in various parts of The Durham Dales mostley during the scenes by the river as George MacKay’s character flees from the bodies in the river. These locations include Bowlees visitors centre near Barnard Castle and Low Force as well as Tees Barage in Stockton. Low Force to High Force is a lovely walk and takes you through Teesdale for a view of the true fells. 45 minutes from us.
 
 8.Downton Abbey the movie. – 2019
Beamish living museum is a highlight of the north east in anyone’s books and plays the part of the local town in Downton Abbey the movie. It is a full village museum with live actors displaying what life in the north world have been like from the 1700s up till the 1950s. Complete with cafes and shops it really is a full day out. An hour and 15 from us.
 
9.Avenger’s Endgame – 2019

Durham Cathedral doubles as the Asgardian palaces of Thor in Avenger’s Endgame. Recognise this picture of Rocket and Thor having a chat? Join them in the city then head down the high street for a lovely lunch at Cafedral café and explore this ancient city. Bonus fact – Durham Cathedral was also used in exterior shots of Harry Potter 1 & 2 in the early 2000s. An hour and 10 from us. 
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We are most definitely dog people at The Black Swan. We love all of our four legged visitors but this one is extra special - meet Austin. Lots of our staff have dogs who you'll see around the pub before and after shift. They love a good stretch in front of the fire in our dog friendly lounge and bar, a play in the beer garden and enjoy some refreshments and bickies from behind the bar. Occasionally they even get treated to a stay in one of our dog friendly rooms or yurts. If you're like us and don't like to travel without your furry family member please give us a call on 01539623204 or book direct online for the best dog friendly deals.  P.S. We have had some cat visitors in the past so don't worry if your family member meows instead.