Bristol is a modern metropolitan city with green spaces in and around it. It is the only European Green Capital in the UK that has been voted the best place to live outside London. The city is known to march to its beat worldwide. Bristol is also listed among the best places to live in the UK by The Times. To your surprise, Bristol was the first cycling city in the UK and one of the best cities in the world for having the most beautiful bike ride.
Bristol is very popular for on-screen starring, whether in films or TV. It has been the backdrop for many TV shows and climax scenes in cinema. Bristol is also the birthplace of, or still home to, many big names in the industry.
Films & tv
Bristol has a rich production history with many celebrated shows and films made here. Here’s a list of the top 10 TV shows and movies made over the years.
The Remains of the Day (1993)
With a few of many significant scenes filmed in Badminton House, James Ivory directed The Remains of the Day is a masterpiece of repressed emotion. The movie stars Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in the lead roles. It’s a story about a devoted butler who reflects on his life of service and missed romantic chances in pre-WWII England. The Remains of the Day is based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Why Watch? The Remains of the Day is one of the best British dramas ever made, with Oscar-nominated performances.
Ratings
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Starter for 10 (2006)
A British comedy-drama film directed by Tom Vaughan, Started for 10 is a cult hit. While some university scenes are filmed at UCL, the University of Bristol’s Main Quad is prominently featured, representing campus life. The film also features some of Bristol’s iconic spots, like Royal York Crescent, the historic Christmas Steps, the Floating Harbour, and Temple Meads station.
Why Watch? Starter for 10 is the story of a working-class student who competes on a TV quiz show while navigating love and class tensions in 1980s Britain. With a stellar cast—James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Rebecca Hall—this movie is a witty watch.
Ratings
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
The Festival (2018)
The Festival is a raucous British comedy in the vein of The Inbetweeners, filmed around Ashton Court and Bristol Harbour. It’s the story of a heartbroken grad following his ex to a chaotic music festival, leading to wild adventures and self-discovery. Joe Thomas and Hammed Animashaun are in the lead roles.
Why Watch? It’s surprisingly heartwarming! Beneath the crude humor, it’s a story about moving on after a breakup and hilariously relatable if you have ever been to any festivals in the UK.
Ratings
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
As the name suggests, The Phantom of the Opera is for music fans. The movie has Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical that tells the story of a masked composer obsessed with a young soprano. This Gerard Butker and Emmy Rossum starter movie, directed by Joel Schumacher, is a Bristol-filmed blockbuster.
Why Watch? Lavish visuals, Gothic romance vibe, and soaring music.
Ratings
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 33% (Audience Score: 84%)
The Spanish Princess (2019–2020)
The Spanish Princess is a limited series with a movie-like production. It was filmed in Bristol Cathedral and stars Charlotte Hope and Ruairi O’Connor. The story revolves around political intrigue and royal drama.
Why Watch? If you loved watching The Crown or The Tudors, you’ll love this, too. It has stunning historical drama.
Ratings
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Sherlock
Sherlock is a modern adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the brilliant but socially awkward Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend Dr. John Watson. The series follows their crime-solving adventures, filled with clever twists and intense drama.
Why Watch? Sharp writing, outstanding performances, gripping mysteries and electrifying chemistry between Cumberbatch and Freeman.
Ratings
IMDb: 9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Doctor Who
It is a British sci-fi icon with several episodes shot at Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios and other locations. Doctor Who is the story of a centuries-old Time Lord known as ‘The Doctor’ who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling aliens, saving civilisations, and exploring the universe with human companions.
Why Watch? It’s a mix of adventure, humor, and heart. The show constantly reinvents itself, making it endlessly entertaining.
Ratings
IMDb: 8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
The Outlaws
Outlaws is a series that beautifully showcases Bristol’s urban culture. The entire series was filmed in Bristol, with highlights including Stokes Croft, Easton, and the city centre. It’s a dark comedy where seven misfits on community service find a bag of cash, later plunging into a dangerously hilarious clash with criminals.
Why Watch? A perfect blend of humor, crime, and drama with a stellar cast (including Christopher Walken).
Ratings
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Skins
Skins is a story about raw and edgy teenagers navigating love, drugs, rebellion, and mental health. The series launched the careers of stars like Nicholas Hoult and Dev Patel. Each episode focuses on the struggles of different characters. It was filmed in Bristol, including College Green, St. Paul’s, and the Harbourside.
Why Watch? Groundbreaking watch for its unfiltered portrayal of youth culture.
Ratings
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Only Fools and Horses
With some external shots associated with Bristol, Only Fools and Horses is a series with iconic catchphrases and heartwarming moments. It’s a story about Del Boy and Rodney Trotter, the two market leaders from Peckham who dream of getting rich through dodgy deals.
Why Watch? Only Fools and Horses is a classic British sitcom and one of the UK’s most beloved comedies.
Ratings
IMDb: 9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
There is so much more to learn and explore about Bristol. For those who don’t know, Bristol also has some of the most famous hospitals, which is great from a healthcare perspective. With its independent spirit, thriving art scene, and iconic landmarks, Bristol is one of the greatest cities to call home in the UK!
