A new office has been set up which aims to attract film and TV production companies to north and West Cumbria.
The Cumberland Film Office has been in development for the last few months by Cumberland Council, working with Creative England.
Councillor Anne Quilter, the authority’s vibrant and healthy places portfolio holder, will update members at a meeting on Tuesday.
In a report to councillors, she said: “This places Cumberland on the mailing list for production companies looking for specific locations.
“The aim in the first instance is to streamline the process for production companies approaching the council for permissions to film, ensuring this is taking place safely.
“Further development of the film office will see active promotion of Cumberland to attract filming which will not only generate revenue that can be reinvested but also to encourage production companies to offer opportunities to our communities, particularly young people to take part whether that be set building, extras, runners, photography, filming etc.
“We have also been working with a number of production companies to find out how Cumberland Council can provide the best service.”
Among the film and TV productions that have been filmed in Cumbria and the Lake District include Mission Impossible, which saw Tom Cruise in the Lake District, 28 Days Later and one of its sequels – due out next year – Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens which used Derwentwater and Thirlmere.
Snow White and The Huntsman was filmed at Cathedral Rock in the Lake District and the 1987 cult fil, Withnail and I used locations in and around nearby Shap and Bampton and Sleddale Hall.
The 2025 ITV crime drama Safe House, starring Christopher Eccleston and Marsha Thomason, was filmed around Coniston as well as Lingholm Estate in Portinscale and a National Trust property on the other side of the Derwentwater.
Eccleston’s TV series The A Word also filmed in the Lake District.
The Who’s 1975 rock opera Tommy was shot in the Borrowdale Valley, south of Keswick, and Miss Potter, the life story of author Beatrix Potter main filming locations included Keswick and Derwentwater and Yew Tree Farm in Coniston.
Swallows and Amazons, based on the classic novel by Arthur Ransome, was shot in locations including Coniston Water, Peel Island, Windermere, Ullswater and Derwentwater.
