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Film & TV Locations

Coming Soon!

The Golden Compass

Based on His Dark Materials by Oxford novelist Philip Pullman, will be released later this year. Starring Nicole Kidman, it features many scenes shot in Oxford locations, including Exeter College, Christ Church College, the Radcliffe Camera and the Clarendon Building.

The next Big One:

Oxford has been busy with film units working on The Oxford Murders, by Guillermo Martinez. Starring John Hurt and Elijah Wood, the film is widely tipped to be the blockbuster-successor to The Da Vinci Code. No release date is given as yet.

Popular Favourites already include:

Harry Potter

Harry PotterScenes were shot at Christ Church (Hogwarts Hall), the Bodleian Library (Hogwarts Infirmary) and New College cloisters (featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.)

Inspector Morse and Inspector Lewis:

Still hugely popular with audiences all over the world, the TV series of Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse was filmed extensively on location in the city. Inspector Morse Guided Walking Tours visit many of the city centre locations featured in the various series, from popular pubs to Exeter College, where Morse suffered his fatal heart attack. The Inspector Lewis series, starring Kevin Whately, looks set to keep images of Oxford on our screens.

Film Locations 

Inspector Morse

Oxford features heavily throughout Inspector Morse. As the author is a resident of the city, therefore so was Morse himself, it is used as locations for the famous detective. As a result it was only natural that it would be used as the backdrop for the televised versions.

  • Brasenose College is Lonsdale College in the Inspector Morse novels and TV adaptations
  • The Radcliffe Camera, The Pitt Rivers Museum and The Turf Tavern feature in "The Daughters of Cain"
  • The Randolph Hotel, The Martyr's Memorial and The Town Hall feature in "The Wolvercote Tongue"
  • The Eagle and Child pub featured in "The Secret of Annexe 3"
  • The Oxford University Press building at Jericho is featured in "The Dead of Jericho"
  • The world famous Blackwell's Bookshop features in "Service of All the Dead" and "The Daughters of Cain"
  • The Sheldonian Theatre features in "Twilight of the Gods"
  • The Bodleian Library features in the investigation of an historical murder by Morse - the murder of Joanna Franks in 1859
  • The Oxford Union features in "Who killed Harry Field?"
  • The Bear Inn featured in "Death is Now My Neighbour"
  • The Botanic Gardens feature in "The Settling of the Sun" Inspector Morse (1987) 

Harry Potter

  • Christ Church, St Aldate’s - The Hall at Christ Church is instantly recognisable as Hogwart’s Hall, for which it served as a model.  The films also include scenes shot on the distinctive stone staircase which leads up to the hall.        
  • New College, - picturesque New College appears in the latest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  Its lovely cloisters provided the location for the scene in which Malfoy is turned into a ferret after taunting Harry about the forthcoming Tri-wizard Tournament.   
  • Bodleian Library, Broad Street The Divinity School is now familiar world-wide as it provides the location used in filming scenes in Hogwart’s Infirmary. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

102 Dalmations

The historic city can be seen throughout this canine caper. 

102 Dalmations (2000) 

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) 

A Fish Called Wanda Including scenes filmed in The Old Court Room, situated on the 1st floor of Oxford's Town Hall. Also used: Oxford Prison, New Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire. St Thomas Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Brideshead Revisited (1981) 

Brideshead Revisited Three colleges (Christ Church College, Hertford College, Wadham College) were all used in this TV adaptation

Midsomer Murders (1997) 

Midsomer Murders Midomer Murders are frequent visitors to Oxfordshire. The City features in roughly ten episodes."The Plough" pub, Great Haseley, the Botanic Gardens, the Corn Exchange, Wallingford, are among numerous locations to be seen.

Shadowlands (1993)

Shadowlands Christ Church Meadow, the Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Square, the Sheldonian Theatre, and Magdalen College all feature in the film.  

The Madness of King George (1994)

The Madness of King George The Bodleian Library, in the centre of Oxford, is the only shot of the City centre. However, surrounding countryside such as Thame Park, and Broughton Castle provide exquisite scenery. 

The Saint (1997) 

The Saint The Radcliffe Camera and University College can both be seen.   

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)  

Tomorrow Never Dies New College provides a beautiful backdrop for the secret agent.   James Bond.

Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)

Young Sherlock Holmes Fake snow used during filming killed some grass at Oxford; Spielberg reimbursed the University for the cost of its replacement.

 

Download a complete list of Famous Oxford film locations in PDF fromat