The Theory Of Everything. Image courtesy of Razlan via Flickr Commons.

Movies & TV Series Filmed in Cambridge (and How to Visit)

Explore some renown locations used in TV series and movies, and learn about filming locations and how to visit them.

Cambridge, with its historic architecture, world-renowned university, and picturesque landscapes, has long been a popular location for filmmakers. The city’s iconic colleges, charming streets, and timeless atmosphere provide the perfect backdrop for both period dramas and modern stories.

From biographical films about famous Cambridge alumni to thrilling espionage series, the city’s allure as a film location continues to captivate audiences. Here’s a look at some of the most notable movies and TV series set and filmed in Cambridge, highlighting the city’s cultural and cinematic significance.

List of TV Series & Films Set in Cambridge

Here’s a growing list of movies and TV series set and filmed in Cambridge, showcasing the city’s timeless appeal as a cinematic location.

From biographical dramas like The Theory of Everything to period pieces such as Maurice, filmmakers are drawn to the stunning architecture and historic colleges that Cambridge offers. Each production captures different aspects of the city’s academic, cultural, and scenic charm.

The Theory of Everything (2014)

A biographical drama about physicist Stephen Hawking 🔗, focusing on his early years at Cambridge and his relationship with Jane Wilde. The film explores Hawking’s groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology, as well as his battle with motor neurone disease. Several iconic Cambridge locations were used for filming, including St John’s College and King’s College, where Hawking studied, giving the movie an authentic and visually stunning backdrop that reflects his academic journey.

The Theory Of Everything. Image courtesy of Razlan via Flickr Commons.
A scene in The Theory Of Everything.

Chariots of Fire (1981)

This iconic sports film, Chariots of Fire, follows the journeys of two British athletes, Eric Liddell 🔗 and Harold Abrahams 🔗, as they compete in the 1924 Paris Olympics. The film explores themes of faith, ambition, and class as the athletes navigate personal challenges while striving for Olympic gold. Key scenes, including the famous Great Court Run, were filmed at Trinity College, Cambridge.

The college’s stunning historic setting enhances the film’s depiction of the academic and athletic life of early 20th-century Cambridge students.

  • Locations: Trinity College (Great Court Run scene).
  • Can you visit? Yes, Trinity College is open to visitors.

Grantchester (2014–present)

Grantchester is a crime drama series set in the 1950s that follows the unlikely partnership between Sidney Chambers, a vicar, and Detective Inspector Geordie Keating. Together, they investigate and solve mysteries in the picturesque village of Grantchester, just outside Cambridge.

The series showcases stunning period locations, with much of the filming taking place in Grantchester village, alongside scenes shot around Cambridge University and other notable landmarks. The dynamic between the thoughtful vicar and the hard-nosed detective drives the drama, blending pastoral life with thrilling crime-solving.

  • Locations: Grantchester village, Cambridge city centre.
  • Can you visit? Yes, Grantchester is easily accessible from Cambridge, and Cambridge city centre is open to visitors.
A latergram from April 2014, taken during filming of Grantchester in Cambridge.
A latergram from April 2014, taken during filming of Grantchester in Cambridge. Image courtesy of Dave Gunn via Flickr Commons.

Sylvia (2003)

The biographical film Sylvia explores the tumultuous relationship between American poet Sylvia Plath 🔗 and British poet Ted Hughes 🔗, focusing on their marriage, creative tensions, and Plath’s struggle with mental illness.

The film portrays the couple’s personal lives and their literary careers, offering a window into their complex dynamic. Several key scenes were filmed at Cambridge University, where Plath studied at Newnham College. The authentic Cambridge locations provide a fitting backdrop to the story, reflecting Plath’s academic journey and the beginnings of her literary career.

  • Locations: Newnham College and surrounding areas (Newnham).
  • Can you visit? Yes, Newnham College welcomes visitors.

Maurice (1987)

Based on E.M. Forster’s novel, the film Maurice delves into the struggles and societal pressures surrounding homosexuality in early 20th-century England. It follows the life of Maurice Hall as he navigates his identity in a time when same-sex relationships were both taboo and illegal.

The film captures the emotional and social conflicts faced by the characters. Much of the film was shot in Cambridge, particularly at King’s College, where Forster himself studied, providing an authentic academic backdrop to the story’s exploration of love, repression, and self-acceptance.

Characters from the movie Maurice.
Characters from the movie Maurice. Image courtesy of Chuan Muuu via Flickr Commons.

The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)

The Man Who Knew Infinity tells the inspiring story of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan 🔗 and his groundbreaking work at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he collaborates with British mathematician G.H. Hardy. Despite facing racism and cultural isolation, Ramanujan’s profound contributions to mathematics reshaped the field.

Much of the film was shot on location at Trinity College, providing an authentic portrayal of Ramanujan’s time at Cambridge. The beautiful, historic backdrop enhances the film’s exploration of genius, collaboration, and the cultural barriers Ramanujan overcame.

The History Boys (2006)

The History Boys, a film adaptation of Alan Bennett’s acclaimed play, follows a group of talented, witty boys preparing for their Oxbridge entrance exams under the guidance of their unconventional teacher. The story explores themes of education, class, and identity as the boys navigate the pressures of elite academia.

Several key scenes were filmed in Cambridge, highlighting the university’s historic architecture and capturing the essence of the academic world the boys aspire to join. The backdrop enhances the film’s focus on intellectual ambition and personal growth.

  • Locations: Various Oxford and Cambridge locations.
  • Can you visit? Yes, many of the filming sites are open, though not specifically labelled.

Cambridge Spies (2003, TV Mini-Series)

Cambridge Spies is a gripping mini-series that delves into the infamous Cambridge spy ring, a group of university graduates who became Soviet double agents during World War II. The series portrays the recruitment and espionage activities of key figures like Kim Philby 🔗, Guy Burgess 🔗, and Donald Maclean 🔗, who infiltrated the British establishment.

Filmed largely in Cambridge, the series authentically captures the university’s academic atmosphere while exploring the intrigue and betrayal behind these spies’ covert operations, adding a historical depth to the city’s otherwise scholarly image.

Cambridge Spies (2003, TV Mini-Series) BBC2
Cambridge Spies (2003) via BBC2.

Trinity (2009, TV Series)

Trinity is a drama series set at a fictional, elite university that explores the darker side of academic life with themes of power, privilege, and intrigue. Much of the series was filmed in Cambridge, using the city’s renowned colleges and historic architecture to create an authentic academic atmosphere.

The familiar Cambridge backdrop, including iconic college courtyards and lecture halls, adds a sense of realism to the narrative, making the setting a recognizable feature for viewers familiar with the prestigious university town.

  • Locations: Fictional university, with parts filmed in Cambridge.
  • Can you visit? Yes, various Cambridge colleges were used for filming, many of which are open to the public.

Tom Brown's Schooldays (2005, TV Movie)

This TV adaptation of the classic novel Tom Brown’s Schooldays captures the experiences of a young boy at an elite boarding school, focusing on themes of friendship, morality, and growth. The series features scenes filmed in Cambridge, beautifully showcasing the university’s historic settings, including its iconic courtyards, libraries, and lecture halls.

These locations enhance the portrayal of academic life and add depth to the story’s period setting, creating an authentic and immersive backdrop that reflects the novel’s historical context.

  • Locations: Various locations around Cambridge.
  • Can you visit? Yes, Cambridge’s public spaces are accessible.

Wittgenstein (1993)

This biographical film explores the life of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein 🔗, focusing on his intellectual journey and academic career at Cambridge University. It highlights key moments in his philosophical development and portrays his contributions to 20th-century thought.

Several pivotal scenes were shot around Cambridge, using the city’s historic colleges and serene atmosphere to reflect Wittgenstein’s profound and complex ideas and his time spent lecturing and studying in the university’s academic environment.

  • Locations: Cambridge University grounds and colleges.
  • Can you visit? Yes, the university and several colleges are open to the public.
Wittgenstein (1993)
Wittgenstein (1993)

Other Movies Filmed in Cambridge

Several modern movies have been filmed in Cambridge in recent years. Some notable examples include:

  1. The King’s Speech (2010) – Although primarily set in London, parts of this Oscar-winning film about King George VI’s speech therapy were filmed at Ely Cathedral, near Cambridge.
  2. The Darkest Hour (2017) – This film about Winston Churchill’s leadership during World War II includes some scenes shot around Cambridge.
  3. Red Joan (2018) – Based on a real-life spy case, parts of this film starring Judi Dench were filmed at Girton College, Cambridge.

These films leverage Cambridge’s academic and historical ambience to enhance their narratives.