Film location walking tours in 'Hollywood of the north'

Acclaimed BBC drama Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire, shot several segments in the town centre

Television and film location walking tours are to be launched as a borough capitalises on its "Hollywood of the north" billing.

Crews from Netflix, BBC and ITV among others spent 88 days filming in Bolton in 2023 with the town’s use as a drama location has continued this year.

The town’s locations, in particular the cobbles and grand, curved architecture of Le Mans Crescent and the town hall, have featured in dozens of productions over recent years.

Productions partially filmed in Bolton include Happy Valley, The Reckoning, Gentleman in Moscow, Ridley and Alma’s Not Normal.

Le Mans Crescent and the town hall have featured in dozens of productions over recent years

Another international production, Fool Me Once, a Netflix mystery drama series starring Michelle Keegan and Joanna Lumley, also has scenes shot in the town.

Acclaimed BBC drama Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire, shot several segments in the town centre including an escape from court scene.

At the latest full council meeting, members were given an update on the borough’s events during its Greater Manchester town of culture term.

Bolton is the fourth place to be named Greater Manchester town of culture, following successful programmes in Bury, Stalybridge and Stockport.

Cabinet member councillor Mohammed Ayub, said: “A series of Bolton town centre TV and film walking tours are in development for late summer.

“So if you fancy having a selfie in the very dock that Tommy Lee Royce escaped from in Happy Valley be sure to book early to avoid disappointment."

In previous years, other dramas using the town as a backdrop include Peaky Blinders, It’s a Sin, Nolly, Brassic, The Ipcress File, The Full Monty and Red Rose, with stars such as Cillian Murphy, Ewan McGregor, Adrian Dunbar and Jodie Whittaker performing while in the town.

Earlier this year the council said that over the previous four years, filming had delivered more than £1m of income into Bolton Council.