The 6 Best Outdoor TV Locations to Explore Near Oldham This Half Term

Travel restrictions and current social distancing measures have made it much harder to find new and exciting places to visit. Large queues at studio tours and stuffy indoor attractions are not likely to be at the top of any of our to-do lists right now. But did you know that the North West is actually home to a large number of excellent British TV filming locations? In this guide, we reveal the North West’s best outdoor TV spots so you can relive your favourite TV moments whilst social distancing and enjoying the beauty and diversity our region has to offer. The A Word - Cumbria From the opening scene of the very first episode, Honister Pass is instantly recognisable. A beautiful place for a socially distanced walk (or drive), these breathtaking mountains are a must-see for any fans of the show. The successful British drama, The A Word, follows the story of 5 year-old Joe and his family, as they pull together to try to understand Joe’s autism. This moving series touched the hearts of many, with over 4.7 million viewers tuning in for its first episode. Phoenix Nights - Lancashire Famously set in the town of Bolton, Greater Manchester, the tear-jerkingly funny Phoenix Nights first graced our screens in 2001. It follows the misadventures of Brian Potter (Peter Kay) who dreams of making the Phoenix club the best working men's club in Manchester. Although the show was mainly filmed in the town in which it was set, it did occasionally leave Bolton. In series two for instance, the scenes where Max and Paddy returned from France were filmed at Fleetwood Docks in Lancashire. These docks are open to the general public, and are a great place to spend an afternoon, especially if you get lucky with the weather! Cracker - Bury The crime drama TV series Cracker followed the life of criminal psychologist (also known as "cracker") Dr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald. The three seasons saw him helping Greater Manchester Police in an effort to solve complex cases. The series was primarily filmed in South Manchester, with many scenes being shot in Didsbury and Longsight. However, the very first episode was filmed in and around the East Lancs Railway both trackside and in the Carriage and Wagon works in Bury. You can still visit the location now and it costs nothing to have a wander around the station. Peaky Blinders - Cheshire The period crime drama Peaky Blinders tells the story of a much feared gangster family on their return to Birmingham after serving in the British Army during the first world war. When gang leader Tommy Shelby moves to a mansion in the country, that’s actually Cheshire's Arley Hall and gardens. If you fancy having a ‘peak’ (excuse the pun), why not go and visit this stunning house and see where the likes of actor Cillian Murphy performed? Entrance to the Hall & Gardens costs £13.50, with a Child pass costing just £6. Life On Mars - Manchester Life On Mars tells the fictional story of modern-day detective Sam Tyler, who is hit by a car and wakes up in 1973. The show follows him and his colleagues at Manchester and Salford Police (now known as Greater Manchester Police) as they solve cases, and Sam tries to solve the mystery of how he ended up there. The entire series is both set and filmed in Greater Manchester, specifically Ancoats, New Islington and other areas surrounding the city centre. If you’re a big fan of Life On Mars, take a walk down Pollard Street in Ancoats. Here you’ll see the former mill site that was derelict at the time of filming, where Sam woke up in 1973. Red Dwarf - Cheshire One of Red Dwarf’s most iconic locations is the beautiful Lyme Park in Cheshire, which provided a backdrop for ‘Lister’s Mansion’. This is a must-see for fans of the show, but is also a great destination for a socially-distanced day out. Entrance to Lyme park is £8 for