Jemima Kirkwood
10 March 2021
Popular BBC drama series The A Word, starring Christopher Eccleston, was filmed around the Lake District, and you can spot many of the area's beautiful locations in both seasons. Just follow this handy guide to satiate your curiosity!
Birkrigg Cottage
Sally's Cottages' own Birkrigg Cottage features prominently in the series as the main family's home. Why not book a holiday at the cottage?
The Newlands Valley
The Newlands Valley is the location of the Hughes family's home, and the scenery is just as breathtaking as you see on the show. The area is a walker's paradise, with steep ridges and high fells for experienced walkers and climbers as well as gentler walks for families and those who want to see the scenery without the hard slog! The area is also synonymous with Beatrix Potter's Mrs. Tiggywinkle, who lived in a tiny cottage in the valley.
Find your own cosy cottage in the Newlands Valley.
Thirlmere
Thirlmere is a gorgeous reservoir to the west of the Helvellyn Ridge. The dam at its northern end was constructed in the 19th century, raising the water level and flooding the valley bottom. A small road winds its way along the western edge, and this is the best place from which to appreciate the surroundings. Park your car at one of the numerous lay-bys or car parks and take a walk along the peaceful lakeshore paths and forest trails.
Read more about the North East Lake District.
Keswick
Keswick, on the shores of beautiful Derwentwater, is a Lake District favourite - and it's easy to see why! Set amidst breathtaking scenery, this bustling market town offers activities galore with plenty of shops and eateries as well as outdoor adventure activities, museums, an Art Deco cinema, an award-winning theatre, and unlimited walks. Derwentwater is just a short potter away from the town centre and is well worth exploring. You can head off on a walk along the shores, into the jaws of Borrowdale, and then catch a stately Launch back to Keswick, where you can enjoy some tasty food.
View our cottages in Keswick.
Honister Pass
Connecting the Buttermere and Borrowdale valleys, Honister Pass is one of Cumbria's highest roads. This picturesque, winding road makes up part of a wonderful route for confident drivers to explore, as it passes Buttermere and Crummock - two of Lakeland's most picturesque lakes that nonetheless remain relatively untouched by heavy tourism. At the top of Honister Pass is Honister Slate Mine and a Via Ferrata. The mine offers tours and the Via Ferrata boasts Europe's longest rope bridge, the Infinity Bridge - not for the faint-hearted! From the Honister Slate Mine, walkers can set off up Great Gable or Dale Head.
Take a look at our cottages in Borrowdale.
Ambleside
Dramatic mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the little town of Ambleside, which has a busy marketplace, lots of interesting shops, and three cinemas. Bridge House, a quirky little 17th-century building sitting on a tiny bridge, is a must-see: it now serves as a shop for the National Trust and is one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District!
Find your own cosy cottage in Ambleside.
Buttermere
A new addition to The A Word in season two, Buttermere is regularly voted as one of the best views in the whole of the UK. The small lake is a twin to neighbouring Crummock Water and the two lakes are knotted together by the small village of Buttemere, which has two inns, two cafes, and an ice cream parlour. Buttermere makes for a perfect, easy stroll, with a gentle, four-and-a-half-mile circular route bringing you back round to the village. The scenery here really is stunning with, amongst others, Haystacks - Alfred Wainwright's favourite fell - towering over the southeast edge of the lake.
Enjoy a relaxing stay at a cottage in Buttermere.
Broughton-in-Furness
Although the main town in The A Word is made up of a number of different areas, the lovely, cobbled town square of Broughton-in-Furness is easily recognisable. Set in the picturesque Duddon Valley, this ancient market town boasts a wealth of interesting history. Its location in the valley means it was an important strategical spot for Celts, Romans, and Vikings, and it has a 300-year-old pub, The Old King's Head.
Browse cottages in Broughton.
Coniston
A small portion of the series was filmed in The Black Bull inn, a 400-year-old coaching inn in Coniston. This lovely village is already well-known for a host of reasons. Arthur Ransome, the author of Swallows and Amazons, was inspired by the lake, and locations in his book are directly influenced by the area. It is also the place where Donald Campbell was tragically killed whilst trying to break the world water speed record, and where Victorian thinker, John Ruskin, bought a home (Brantwood House, which is now open to the public).
Take a look at our cottages in Coniston.
Kendal
Set just off the southeast border of the national park, Kendal is known as the southern gateway to the Lake District. You simply can't visit this town without having a taste of their famous Kendal Mint Cake - a delicious treat for anyone with a sweet tooth! There are also two castles, lots of shops and eateries, two museums, and photo-worthy surroundings.
See our cottages near Kendal in the South East Lake District.
We hope you enjoyed learning about some of the stunning filming locations from The A Word. Find your own perfect holiday cottage from which to explore these beautiful spots yourself.
You may also be interested in these other blog posts:
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.