The Most Popular Locations in the UK & Ireland for Film Production Crew Accommodation
The UK and Ireland have become two of the world's most sought-after destinations for film and television production. From blockbuster movies and high-end TV dramas to commercials, documentaries, and streaming platform originals, production companies are choosing locations across the UK and Ireland for their outstanding scenery, world-class studios, and generous production incentives.
With productions often lasting weeks or months, finding high-quality project accommodation for film crews is an essential part of production planning. Comfortable, flexible accommodation helps cast and crew stay close to filming locations, reduces travel time, and supports productivity throughout the project.
In this guide, we explore the most popular filming destinations across the UK and Ireland and why they continue to attract production companies from around the world.
Why Location Matters for Film Crew Accommodation
Accommodation isn't simply a place to sleep during production. The right location can improve scheduling, reduce transport costs, and help crew members maintain a healthier work-life balance during demanding filming schedules.
Production accommodation providers are increasingly expected to offer:
Flexible booking periods
Fully furnished serviced apartments
Hotels for short-term stays
Accommodation for large production teams
Fast Wi-Fi and workspace
Parking for production vehicles
Easy access to studios and filming locations
Choosing accommodation close to production hubs helps minimise daily travel while providing crews with a comfortable base throughout filming.
London – The UK's Leading Film Production Hub
London is the heart of the UK's film and television industry and remains one of the busiest production centres in the world. With world-renowned studios such as Pinewood Studios, Shepperton Studios, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, and Ealing Studios all within easy reach, London consistently attracts major international productions.
The city has been the backdrop for countless blockbuster films and television series, including the Harry Potter franchise, James Bond, Mission: Impossible, Paddington, The Crown, Bridgerton, Slow Horses, and numerous productions for Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Popular accommodation locations for production teams include:
Watford (close to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden)
Uxbridge and Slough (near Pinewood Studios)
West London
Wembley
Canary Wharf
Stratford
Its extensive transport network and large selection of serviced accommodation make London an ideal base for productions of every size.
Manchester – A Fast Growing Production Centre
Manchester has established itself as one of the UK's leading media and television hubs. Home to MediaCityUK, BBC Studios, ITV, and Dock10 Studios, the city hosts a diverse range of television, film, and commercial productions.
Popular productions filmed in Manchester include Peaky Blinders, The Crown, It's a Sin, Cold Feet, Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, and numerous BBC dramas and entertainment programmes.
Crew accommodation is frequently booked in:
Manchester City Centre
Salford Quays
Trafford
Stockport
Altrincham
Manchester's excellent motorway, rail, and airport connections make it particularly attractive for productions filming across Northern England.
Glasgow – Scotland's Film Capital
Glasgow has become one of Europe's most versatile filming locations. Its Victorian architecture regularly doubles for New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other major cities, while Scotland's landscapes are only a short drive away.
Notable productions filmed in and around Glasgow include The Batman, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, World War Z, The Flash, Outlander, and The Rig.
Popular accommodation areas include:
Glasgow City Centre
Finnieston
Merchant City
West End
Paisley
The city's flexibility makes it a favourite for both large Hollywood productions and independent filmmakers.
Edinburgh – Historic Locations with Modern Facilities
Edinburgh offers a unique combination of medieval streets, Georgian architecture, and modern infrastructure. Its distinctive skyline and historic landmarks make it a popular choice for period dramas and feature films.
Productions filmed in Edinburgh include Avengers: Infinity War, Fast & Furious 9, T2 Trainspotting, Mary Queen of Scots, and scenes from Outlaw King.
Accommodation demand increases significantly during the Edinburgh Festival season, so production companies often secure project accommodation well in advance.
Belfast – One of Europe's Fastest Growing Production Cities
Belfast has become one of Europe's premier filming locations thanks to Belfast Harbour Studios and Northern Ireland's outstanding natural scenery.
The city gained worldwide recognition as the primary production base for Game of Thrones, but it has also hosted The School for Good and Evil, Blue Lights, The Northman, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and numerous BBC productions.
Popular accommodation areas include:
Titanic Quarter
Belfast City Centre
Holywood
Lisburn
Newtownabbey
Northern Ireland's generous screen industry support continues to attract international investment.
Cardiff – A Hub for Television Production
Cardiff has earned a reputation as one of the UK's leading television production centres. BBC Studios and Bad Wolf Studios have transformed the city into a thriving location for drama production.
Major productions include Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, Sherlock, Industry, A Discovery of Witches, Torchwood, and Casualty.
Popular accommodation locations include:
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff City Centre
Penarth
Newport
Cardiff also offers easy access to the dramatic landscapes of South Wales for location filming.
Bristol – Creative Industries Continue to Grow
Bristol has a long-standing reputation for factual programming, wildlife documentaries, animation, and independent film production.
The city is closely associated with the BBC Natural History Unit, responsible for globally acclaimed series such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, and Dynasties.
Bristol has also hosted productions including His Dark Materials, Sherlock, The Outlaws, and numerous commercials.
Its growing creative industries continue to increase demand for flexible crew accommodation.
Liverpool – A City That Can Double for Anywhere
Liverpool's architecture allows it to convincingly portray locations ranging from Victorian London to New York and Chicago. This versatility has made it one of the UK's busiest filming destinations.
Productions filmed in Liverpool include The Batman, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Peaky Blinders, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Crown, and Help.
Popular accommodation areas include:
Liverpool City Centre
Albert Dock
Baltic Triangle
Wirral
The city's walkable centre and excellent transport links make it particularly convenient for production crews.
Yorkshire – Diverse Landscapes for Every Production
Yorkshire offers one of the widest varieties of filming locations in the UK, from historic cities and market towns to dramatic coastlines, moorland, and national parks.
Well-known productions include All Creatures Great and Small, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, The Secret Garden, Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and Gentleman Jack.
Popular production bases include:
Leeds
York
Harrogate
Sheffield
Bradford
Yorkshire's accessibility and diverse scenery make it a favourite for both television and feature film productions.
Dublin – Ireland's Production Powerhouse
Dublin serves as Ireland's primary film and television production hub, supported by Ardmore Studios, Ashford Studios, and excellent transport links.
Productions filmed in Dublin and surrounding areas include Normal People, Vikings, The Tudors, Disenchanted, The Wonder, Kin, and Foundation.
Accommodation is commonly secured in:
Dublin City Centre
Docklands
Ballsbridge
Sandyford
Swords
Dublin combines world-class production facilities with easy access to Ireland's stunning rural landscapes.
Cork and Galway – Growing Regional Production Centres
Regional production across Ireland continues to expand, with Cork and Galway increasingly chosen for feature films, documentaries, and television dramas.
Galway has featured in productions such as The Banshees of Inisherin (County Galway and nearby locations), while Cork has hosted projects including The Young Offenders, Pixie, and numerous Irish-language productions.
As investment in Ireland's regional screen industry grows, both cities are seeing increased demand for flexible project accommodation for cast, crew, and production support teams.
What Film Productions Look for in Crew Accommodation
Every production has unique accommodation requirements, but most look for providers that can offer:
Flexible check-in and check-out dates.
Accommodation for individuals and large production teams.
Serviced accommodation and aparthotels.
Hotels across multiple locations.
Fully equipped kitchens.
High-speed internet.
Parking.
Weekly housekeeping.
Competitive long-stay rates.
Fast booking and account management.
Accommodation partners that understand the changing nature of film production schedules provide significant value throughout a project.
Why Serviced Accommodations are Ideal for Film Crews
While hotels remain suitable for shorter productions, serviced aprtments and houses have become the preferred choice for many production companies.
They offer more space, greater privacy, kitchen facilities, separate living areas, and better value for extended stays. Crew members benefit from a more comfortable living environment, while production companies gain greater flexibility when schedules change.
For productions lasting several weeks or months, serviced apartments often provide the ideal balance between comfort, convenience, and cost.
Final Thoughts
As film and television production continues to thrive across the UK and Ireland, demand for high-quality crew accommodation continues to grow. From London's world-famous studios and Manchester's thriving media sector to the dramatic landscapes of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, every production depends on reliable accommodation that keeps cast and crew close to the action.
Working with an experienced accommodation partner ensures productions can secure flexible, comfortable, and cost-effective stays in every major filming destination. Whether supporting a small commercial shoot or a large international production, the right accommodation plays an important role in keeping projects running smoothly from the first day of filming to the final wrap.