Location, location, location. 

Andrew Moores discovers how Cheshire has become a hotspot for television and film crews looking for the perfect location.

AS credits go, Cheshire has a list that is both long and prestigious.

Its stately homes have played host to numerous period pieces, Steven Spielberg once filmed in Knutsford and even Disney waslured by the county’s charm for its first live action series filmed outside of America.

It used Arley Hall as the centrepiece for The Evermoor Chronicles and has returned for the past few years to film more episodes.

So there is no doubt producers are helping put the county on the map and it is proving big business for all those involved.

“Not only is it great for Arley to be starring in these high-profile shows it is also fantastic for the local economy in Cheshire,” said general manager Steve Hamilton.

Directors have been using Cheshire for the most unlikely of locations for years.

In the 1980s Spielberg took over Legh Road in Knutsford and transformed it into the Shanghai setting for his movie Empire of the Sun,starring a very young Christian Bale.

Lessthan 10 years later Lyme Park was placed firmly in the Jane Austen story when scenesfor the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice were filmed there and Colin Firth famously strode out from the lake.

It was never part of the story, but the scene became iconic and helped Lyme Park to become one of television’s most recognisable backdrops.

Jane Austen expert LouiseWest told Wanderlust Travel that it was an ‘absolute must’ for Austen pilgrims.

“I visited the estate with a friend well before the series and remarked to her that it would make a brilliant Pemberley. Twenty years later, the BBC agreed with me,” she said.

Another historical story was told at Quarry Bank in Wilmslow when Channel 4 decided to use the mill’s archives for a costume drama that fitted into its Sunday night schedule.

The Mill’s heroine was Esther Price – a true character from Quarry Bank’s past – who was feisty and stood up to the mill owners on more than one occasion despite being a lowly apprentice.

Scenes were filmed in the exact places they took place during the Industrial Revolution 200 years ago, places the public can visit today at the National Trust property.

Tatton Park also has an impressive roll call of its own. Everything from a Morrison’s Christmas advert to Blue Peter, A Question of Sport and Countryfile have found a purpose for its stunning grounds and hall.

And when Coronation Street was looking for somewhere grand enough for the dramatic wedding of Tracy Barlow and Rob Donovan they looked no further than Capesthorne Hall in Siddington.

Home to the Bromley Davenport family since 1726, and itself a popular wedding venue, all eyes were on the hall as Tracy arrived by horsedrawn carriage only to be disappointed when her husband-to-be was revealed to a murderer.

Arley Hall has also hosted numerous Coronation Street weddings and funerals, including that of Deirdre Barlow, who is ‘buried’ on the estate.

However, the greatest drama in its recent history has to be when it was taken over by the Birmingham gangsters of Peaky Blinders.

For the past few years the BBC have decamped at the home of Lord and Lady Ashbrook and transformed it into the abode of Tommy Shelby – played by Cillian Murphy – and his band of not-so-merry men.

“It has been incredible to see the effort and attention to detail that goes into a production such as Peaky Blinders,” said Steve Hamilton.

“There was a real buzz around Arley during the filming and it was great to work with the BBC on such a popular and critically acclaimed drama.”

Arley was transformed into Shelby’s home complete with bespoke portraits, 1920s furniture and an interior repaint to give the hall a masculine feel more befitting of his character.

Hollywood stars Murphy (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception) and Helen McCrory (Skyfall, Harry Potter) are among those who have returned to Arley to film dramatic scenes including the cliff-hanger that ended series three.

Tom Hardy – star of Mad Max: Fury Road and Kray twins movie Legend – completed one day of filming as he reprised his role as Tommy’s nemesis Alfie Solomons.

Arley’s library doubles as Tommy’s study while the Gallery became the dining hall.

To the trained eye Arley is easy to spot, but tables, chairs, lamps and lengthy curtains were brought in disguising its every day appearance.

“We had an agreement that after the filming was done everything had to be put back the way it wasso an incredible amount of care was taken by everyone in the production team to preserve Arley’s heritage and character,” said Steve.

For Our Zoo, Arley faced a different takeover – by animals.

The programme told the inspiring real story of the eccentric Mottershead family who established Chester Zoo in the 1930s.

Walton Hall became Oakfield Manor, the Mottershead’s family home where Chester Zoo began, but Arley also hosted an array of animals.

Among them was a camel that was filmed inside the country house.

Its carers built a giant litter tray in the hall in case it ‘needed to go’ at any point during filming.

A lion and monkey were also among the animals that made Arley their home during the filming of BBC’s hit programme.

“We’d never seen anything like it,” said Steve. “It was quite extraordinary to have these animals in the hall and on the estate.”

Extraordinary scenes indeed, and with Cheshire remaining on the radar of top location managers and directors no doubt many more moments will be captured on film in future.