Cheshire, by order of the Peaky Blinders - See these iconic filming locations

The popular period drama Peaky Blinders has returned for its much-anticipated final season and last outing with British crime boss Tommy Shelby and his family after the First World War. Although over 6 million viewers are engrossed in the hit series, most people don’t know that a handful of seasons used attractions located in the heart of Cheshire for filming! If you didn’t know that don’t worry, we’ve pulled together 3 locations used in Peaky Blinders that you can go and visit for yourself!
 

National Waterways Museum - Ellesmere Port
 

Back in early 2014 The National Water Ways Museum made its debut in season 2 of Peaky Blinders. The Museums grounds were used as a backdrop for numerous episodes throughout the early seasons where Tommy and his family would meet and conduct business on the canal docks. Several of the 50 canal boats that are owned by the National Waterways Museum were also used as set dressing to create more of a more realistic feel  to the docks. The canal was initially built in 1795 for the transportation of goods around Cheshire and Manchester and was mainly ran by boatsman, a proportion of whom were travellers who inhabited the canals, making it the perfect location to represent the Shelby family life as their  traveller family predecessors lived and worked on the waterways.

The National Waterways Museum is open for the public to explore, with its delightful waterside setting, an abundance of historic boats and fascinating displays housed in fine Victorian buildings, the museum is a great day out whatever the weather. Visitors can take a boat trip through an industrial landscape, visit the museum blacksmith and explore traditional narrow boats and homes through the ages which sets the scene for what life was like for the Peaky Blinders.

 

Port Sunlight Village - Wirral
 

Season 2, Episode 2 saw the Shelby brothers’ gift their aunt (Polly Gray) with a picturesque house in order to showcase their appreciation for her. The house in question was in fact filmed in the centre of Port Sunlight village. The entire village was thrown back in time to the early 20^th century in order to depict exactly what life was like just after the Great War. Roads in and around port sunlight were full of horse and carts and vintage cars in preparation for filming. The location has been used in nearly every season since season 2 up until season 5 as the home of Polly Gray and later in the season, Michael Gray.

Port Sunlight perfectly represents Cheshire’s unique heritage and showcases the amazing industrial history from perfect architecture to beautiful gardens making it an important tourist attraction. The Village has 900 Grade II Listed buildings, one of which being the house used in Peaky Blinder. Port Sunlight was also declared a conservation area in 1978 and home to one of Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction. To make the most of the full or half day at the village the attraction suggests to start at the museum then join a tour to ensure none of the village gets missed and visitors can discover some of the fascinating history that is intertwined within the village.

 

Arley Hall and Gardens - Northwich
 

Arley Hall has been the home to the infamous Thomas Shelby since the third season. It has been the heart of filming for three seasons and now is a main filming location in the newest season! The estate has been depicted as an iconic building within the show as it features more than many other buildings, while it also illustrates Tommy Shelby’s new wealth and higher class which is an essential part to the Peaky Blinders storyline. The rooms within Arley hall were slightly adapted for the filming, the library was converted in Tommy’s office and the gallery turned into the dining hall. Although the Hall itself may not be set out exactly how it is in the series it still holds extreme likeness.

Arley Hall is a family stately home build in 1832, its known to be one of the most attractive Stately Homes in the Northwest and is surrounded by perfectly landscaped gardens that are deemed as some of the finest gardens in Europe. The Hall and Gardens are both open to the public to explore throughout the year and occasionally experienced guides are on hand to give informative tours. The estate lets your mind run wild and takes you back in time to experience how the upper class and people like Thomas Shelby lived in times gone by.