The upcoming British thriller, Down Cemetery Road, is based on the novel by Mick Herron and stars Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson.
It follows a neighbour who hires a private investigator when an explosion rocks her suburb and a local girl disappears.
The show is set in an Oxford-style suburb, but was filmed across parts of England.
Here are the confirmed filming locations, what scenes they likely correspond to, and what you’ll get if you visit them.
Where Was Down Cemetery Road Filmed?
| Location | How It Was Used / Scene-role | Why It Was Chosen & What Visitors Get |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol, England | Urban/suburb scenes that represent the Oxford-style town: e.g., commercial streets, university campus, city hall. | Bristol offers historic architecture, varied streetscapes and good filming infrastructure. If you visit: check out St Nicholas Market, Corn Street, the University of Bristol quad — you’ll see similar buildings used in the show. |
| Somerset (Bishops Lydeard Station, Street town) | Scenes needing a quieter, more rural or atmospheric background: e.g., train station shots, small-town exterior. | Historic railway station and countryside settings give a mood of mystery and isolation. Visitors: you can go to Bishops Lydeard railway station and walk the area used for railway scenes. |
| Polperro, Cornwall | Some exterior/village scenes: narrow streets, harbour, traditional cottages. | A picturesque historic fishing village, ideal for filming exteriors with character. If you go: stroll its quay, see stone-roof cottages, get the feel of a seaside location used in the show. |
| The Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol | Interior scenes & controlled set pieces (studio work) for the series. | Using a studio gives production control. Visitors: while studio tours may be limited, knowing many interior scenes were shot there adds depth to your viewing when you recognise locations. |
🗓️ When Did the Filming Take Place?
Filming for Down Cemetery Road began in 2024. The crew was active in Bristol during early 2024, then moved to Somerset around September 2024, and finished filming in January 2025.
✨ Why These Locations Were Chosen
- The show is set in a suburb reminiscent of Oxford, but filming in places like Bristol and Somerset gives both architectural variety and production flexibility.
- Bristol’s mix of older buildings, city centre life, and university spaces allowed the team to simulate the desired look without actually filming in Oxford.
- Somerset’s quieter rural spots allowed scenes with mood, mystery, and fewer interruptions.
- Polperro added a scenic exterior contrast – the kind of place that visually enriches a thriller.
- Using studio space at The Bottle Yard provided necessary control for specific interior scenes.
All this means that the show’s world is built from real, varied British places, which helps the drama feel grounded and layered.
💭 Final Thoughts
Down Cemetery Road uses location smartly: instead of filming solely in the story’s exact setting, it picks a mix of city and rural British places to build a layered, believable world.
Visiting those spots adds a fun extra dimension you’ll recognise architecture, mood, maybe even a street corner you saw on screen.
Whether you’re a fan of the novel, the actors, or just love behind-the-scenes trivia: next time you watch the series, you’ll know there’s more to those scenes than just studio sets they’re layered in real British places with character.
And that makes watching it (and visiting the locations) all the more interesting.
FAQs
What is Down Cemetery Road about?
A thriller where a house explodes in a suburb, a young girl disappears, a neighbour (Ruth Wilson) enlists investigator Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson) and uncovers unexpected secrets.
Who stars in the show?
Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson lead the cast.
Where exactly were some filming spots?
In Bristol: University of Bristol campus, Corn Street, St Nicholas Market. In Somerset: Bishops Lydeard Station. In Cornwall: Polperro village.
Why not film in Oxford (the story’s setting)?
While the story is set in an Oxford-type suburb, filming in other locations offered more flexibility, cost-effectiveness, architectural variety and easier production logistics.
Can fans visit the filming locations?
Yes. Fans can visit Bristol city centre to see streets used in filming, go to Bishop’s Lydeard for the railway station scenes and explore Polperro for that seaside vibe. Always check local access and filming schedules.