Top 10: Movies and TV series filmed in the Border region

  • Border

ITV's latest drama Deep Water premiered this week set against the backdrop of the Lake District.

We've looked back at the top 10 most iconic movies and TV shows that filmmakers chose to shoot in Cumbria and Southern Scotland.

Scottish Borders

  • Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Hundreds of cast member descended on the small fishing village of St Abbs to film the multi-million pound movie Avengers: Endgame.

Big names like Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor in the series, came to the Borders village which was transformed into 'New Asgard' - the earth home to the God of Thunder.

The film has attracted thousands of tourists to the area and now a 'St Abbs twinned with New Asgard'sign stands in the heart of the village.

St Abbs/New Asgard Credit: PA

  • Outlaw King (2018)

The film featuring Holywood star Chris Pine tells the story of Robert the Bruce and was shot in the Borders.

Melrose Abbey is allegedly where The Bruce’s heart was laid to rest. The Abbey is said to have buried it after its return from the Holy Land and the crusades.

Unfortunately the ruin was not featured in the film, but the Borders landscape is evident throughout.

Melrose Abbey/ Chris Pine Credit: PA

  • Game of Thrones (2011)

The premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones was viewed by more than 17million watchers. But what most people don't know is the idea of "The Wall" originated from Hadrian's Wall.

Author George R.R. Martin said he came up with the idea while visiting the county - drawing inspiration from the Roman Wall to create his iconic giant ice wall that keeps out the monsters behind.

The popular TV show started in 2011 and has eight series.

Cumbria

  • Swallows and Amazons (1974 & 2016)

The book series by Arthur Ransome, adapted for film in both 1974, follows two families of children’s adventures on the nearby Lake.

The fictional lake takes inspiration from Windermere and surrounding areas, including the east shore of Coniston.

The 2016 film included the original inspirations and scenery from Coniston; however, it was filmed on Derwentwater instead of Windermere.

The premier took place in Keswick. Credit: PA

  • Star Wars – The Force Awakens (2015)

In the seventh instalment of the multi-award-winning franchise, Derwentwater gets a starring role. The famous Millennium Factor is seen to be flying over the lake in the film.

Blencathra and Scafell can be seem in the background, with CGI mountains and ruins added in for effect.

Other locations in the film include Abu Dhabi, Iceland and off the coast of Ireland.

Derwentwater. Credit: PA

  • Withnail and I (1987)

A cult comedy classic following two unemployed actors who end up roaming the Cumbrian countryside, near the village of Shap.

Richard. E. Grant stars as Withnail, a lively alcoholic who now has a famed drinking game in his name.

The farm cottage that was used in the film Withnail and I, Sleddale Hall, near Shap. Credit: PA

  • Miss Potter (2006)

This 2006 adaptation comes from one the most famous book series involving Cumbria and the Lake District – The Tales of Peter Rabbit.

The story follows the life of the famed author of the books, Beatrix Potter, alongside her trusted and loved characters being brought to life.

Potter means much more to the area than just her writing as whilst bringing the lakes to life in her tales, she kept the area thriving in her work in the community.

Locations for the film included Loughrigg, Grasmere, and Yew Tree Farm at Coniston -formerly owned by Miss Potter.

Dumfries and Galloway

  • Wicker Man (1973)

The 70s cult-classic was almost entirely filmed on location in Dumfries and Galloway, predominantly in the Kirkcudbright area.

It tells the story of a policeman who flies to a remote Scottish isle to investigate the disappearance of a child.

Whithorn, Creetown, Gatehouse all featured as the creepy village.

Kirkcudbright harbour. Credit: PA

  • Outlander (2014)

The series centres on the story of Claire Randall, a nurse from the 1940s, who is transported back in time to 1700s Scotland where she must learn to survive.

Outlander is filmed in locations across Scotland, with occasional appearances made in Dumfries and Galloway.

Drumlanrig Castle is a 17th century castle, near Thornhill, and was used as the Duke of Sandringham’s Estate in Season 2.

Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser in the drama, is not a stranger to Dumfries and Galloway as he grew up near Kirkcudbright.

Sam Heughan/Drumlanrig Castle. Credit: PA

  • The Vanishing (2019)

This Lionsgate thriller would see Gerrard Buttler taking in the picturesque Galloway coastline.

Scenes were filmed just along from the local Sands of Luce holiday park, with the Mull of Galloway lighthouse being the centrepiece.

The real-life story follows three lighthouse keepers, whose disappearance is still to be explained after more than a century.