Where Were the Peaky Blinders TV Series and Movie Filmed?

The six-series BBC drama Peaky Blinders became globally recognised for its industrial backdrops, mysterious canal scenes and period architecture. Across the TV series and 2026 film, The Immortal Man, filming scenes took place across Birmingham, the Black Country, Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and Yorkshire. But did you know that you can immerse yourself in the surroundings of the set on a canal boat holiday? 

While the story is rooted in post-WWI Birmingham, many of the show’s memorable moments were filmed along real working waterways, meaning you can cruise right through the same landscapes that shaped the Shelby empire.  

Discover the filming hotspots for Peaky Blinders and how you can get there on your canal boat holiday.  

Where is Peaky Blinders set?  

The award-winning TV series and film are set in Birmingham and across the West Midlands, with frequent spells in the Black Country. Although filming was scattered across the North West of England and Liverpool, alongside the flagship settings of the Midlands, because there were more factories and mills dating to that time period based up north.  

The series starts off just after World War I in 1919, taking us through challenges of post-war Britain dealing with the IRA and fascism in Europe, as well as dramatic changes to the economy, society and politics in the UK in the roaring 20s. The 2026 film is expected to be set in the lead-up to and during World War II.  

What role did canals have in Peaky Blinders? 

During the earlier years of the 20th century, canals helped the transportation of coal, steel and manufactured goods across the country, especially across Birmingham and the Black Country. In Peaky Blinders, narrowboats helped secretly transport illegal items like guns and alcohol from A to B, helped the Shelby family’s business operations, and were used for secret meetups on the canals away from surveillance.  

Charlie’s Yard was based canal-side of the Black Country Living Museum, with the waterways featured often throughout the series, while filming for The Immortal Man has been spotted at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales and a stretch of canal near Gas Street in Birmingham. 

Cruising the same waterways today offers a rare opportunity to see Britain much as it was over 100 years ago.  

Can you travel to Peaky Blinders filming locations? 

Yes! There are so many attractions and sites which are open to the public and easily navigable by car, train and canal boat. We’ll share how you can get to Peaky Blinders filming locations by canal boat, including some public transport during your narrowboat holiday after mooring.  

The main filming locations were in:

• Birmingham
• Black Country
• Cheshire
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Wrexham
• Yorkshire

Birmingham 

Although much of the series was filmed elsewhere, the plot begins in Birmingham in 1919. Because of this, you’ll find many themed events, such as Escape Live, to immerse yourself in the hit TV series.  

Gas Street Basin 

This historic canal junction in central Birmingham is also where you can moor to explore the city centre on foot. Stroll through passages and side streets near the waterway to picture scenes resembling the Shelby family’s dealings.  

Digbeth 

Just a 20-minute walk through the city takes you to Digbeth, an area of industrial architecture and warehouses, and now home to Digbeth Loc Studios. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight founded the production hub, so he’s had a busy time of it! You might not be able to get inside, but you can admire the Peaky Blinders artwork featuring Tommy, Ada and Alfie.  

Small Heath 

Take an 11-minute bus out of Digbeth and you’ll find yourself in Small Heath, the real historical home of the Peaky Blinders gang. The exterior of most buildings has changed and been rebuilt since the early 20th century, it’s worth visiting to say you’ve been to the root of where it all started.  

Recommended canal routes 

The city’s canal network, once one of the industrial arteries of Britain, plays a recurring role throughout the show. You can explore more on the following five routes:  

The Black Country Ring from Alvechurch Marina or Gailey Marina 

The Birmingham Ring from Kings Orchard Marina 

Birmingham and Return from Springwood Haven or Worcester Marina 

Black Country 

A pocket of industrial Britain preserved in time stands at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. This section of the Midlands was a huge influence in industrial life, which is why the open-air attraction recreates exactly that. Charlie Strong’s Yard was filmed canal-side of the museum, while numerous street scenes were shot in the 1920s town.   

You’ll float through the Dudley Canal Tunnel and limestone caverns, travelling beneath the very landscape that helped power Britain’s industrial revolution. Drifting through the darkness on a narrowboat gives a sense of secrecy and grit that defines those mysterious canal-side meetings. It’s easy to picture narrowboats quietly transporting illegal goods through these hidden waterways.  

Recommended canal routes 

To get a glimpse of what the Shelbys lived through, you can head to the Black Country Living Museum on the Black Country Ring from Alvechurch Marina or Gailey Marina, mooring nearby.   

Cheshire 

Expect country estates and aristocratic backdrops in Cheshire, as Arley Hall and Gardens doubled as Tommy Shelby's stately home. Located just 12 minutes by car from Anderton Marina, it’s best visited just before or after your canal boat holiday.  

Recommended canal routes 

Any canal boat holiday route from Anderton Marina means you’re just a short trip away from getting your Peaky Blinders fix on your next staycation. 

Liverpool 

Despite the show being set in Birmingham, Liverpool’s preserved industrial architecture made it perfect for a significant portion of filming. It’s possible to do a loop of visiting the filming sites and locations after mooring at Ellesmere Port. 

St George’s Hall 

Used for grand interior and exterior shots throughout the series, St George’s Hall stands in for several civic and political settings in Peaky Blinders. You can book a guided tour of the space to explore its Great Hall and courtrooms, which reflect the power struggles and political tensions in the show.  

From Ellesmere Port, it’s around 45 minutes by rail into Liverpool Lime Street, followed by a short 7-minute walk.  

Georgian Quarter 

The Georgian Quarter is ideal for visitors who enjoy exploring on foot. Its terraces sweep across the streets to create a cinematic backdrop that mirrors the grandeur seen in later seasons of Peaky Blinders. A stroll here naturally leads to Liverpool Cathedral, featured as Tommy’s place of worship.  

Stanley Dock 

Close to Everton Football Club’s newest stadium, you can travel 34 minutes from the Georgian Quarter to reach one of the most historic docks in the UK. The environment around the dock has harnessed the industrial grit and moodiness you see in every episode, which is also why Stephen Knight used the location in House of Guinness.   

Port Sunlight 

If you have time to spare, why not cross the River Mersey and head to the Wirral to see where Aunt Polly’s home was filmed? A 53-minute Merseyrail journey from Stanley Dock will take you to the thriving village community of Port Sunlight, where you can admire over 900 Grade II listed buildings. 

Recommended canal routes 

We recommend our Ellesmere Port and Return route from Anderton Marina for the perfect mix of countryside relaxation with urban exploration.  

Manchester 

The third-largest city in England acted as an industrial double for 1920s Birmingham, providing atmospheric backdrops for several scenes. You can moor at Castlefield Basin on the Bridgewater Canal or on the Ashton Canal to venture into the mix of historical buildings with an urban twist.  

Northern Quarter 

Just 16 minutes away on a tram from Castlefield Basin is the iconic Northern Quarter, where you’ll find converted warehouses, cobbled streets and architecture that echo the show’s aesthetic. Then a swift glance around and you’ll find it sandwiched between plenty of independent shops, restaurants and bakeries. It’s the perfect spot for a break on your canal boat holiday after a bit of sightseeing.  

Victoria Baths 

Hop on a Bee Network bus towards Victoria Baths on a 24-minute journey through the city. Its Edwardian interiors are a stunning contrast to the modern sights you would’ve experienced earlier. This location was featured as the horse fair in series two.   

Recommended canal routes 

We recommend the Cheshire Ring from Anderton Marina for easy city access when mooring at Ashton Canal or Castlefield Basin. 

Wrexham 

Cruising into Wales like The Immortal Man filming crew means heading to one of the most dramatic canal crossings in the UK. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the seven wonders of the waterway, and a filming location in the new Peaky Blinders film. Situated on the Llangollen Canal, it’s an easily accessible and must-see attraction.  

Recommended canal routes 

You can reach the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct by booking a canal boat holiday on the following routes on the Llangollen Canal: 

Llangollen and Return from Wrenbury Mill Marina 

Llangollen and Return from Blackwater Meadow Marina 

Yorkshire 

Photo Credit: Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Several grand civic buildings and mill towns were featured in Peaky Blinders. The preservation of city and town halls across Bradford and Leeds, and the popular filming location of Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, made immersing fans back in industrial Britain more realistic. Newby Hall and Gardens was featured in the first series of Peaky Blinders and is open to the public.   

Recommended canal routes 

Across various mooring spots in Rochdale, Leeds and Bradford, you can admire the conservation of decades-old surroundings on the Pennine Ring from Anderton Marina. 

Experience the world of Peaky Blinders by water 

From the towpaths of Birmingham to the industrial docks of Liverpool, the waterways remain one of the most authentic ways to experience the world of Peaky Blinders. You may not spot Tommy Shelby and his gang waiting on the towpath, but you will cruise through the real industrial heartlands that inspired the series.  

Browse our canal boat holiday routes or speak with our exceptional-rated team to book your Peaky Blinders-inspired adventure today.