10.04.26

THE SECRETS OF FILMING LOCATIONS IN SUFFOLK

Rachel Aldridge of Screen Suffolk reveals the secrets behind Suffolk’s most famous filming locations, from The Dig to Ed Sheeran’s Castle on the Hill.

Day to day I facilitate filming in the region and promote Suffolk as a great filming destination.  Working on behalf of all the local authorities I help to do logistics like traffic management for film shoots and find location managers their perfect location.

Since I started work at Screen Suffolk in 2016, we have supported hundreds of productions and amassed over 1300 filming days. This means a lot of Suffolk is now on our screens, and each year Suffolk Shorts showcases East Anglian short films, many of which have been shot here. (photo)

Suffolk Shorts Director Rachel Aldridge, has more insight than most into filming in the region, thanks to her role at the official film office, Screen Suffolk.

Huge productions like The Dig, starring Ralph Fiennes, about the discovery of Sutton Hoo, and Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, have also boosted tourism in the area. The film Yesterday had a profound effect on one person from the United States who decided to travel 5000 miles to see the spots where the film was shot; she even ended up having tea with Richard Curtis.

Bury St Edmunds doubled as Victorian London in The Personal History of David Copperfield, and the tie-in with Charles Dickens’ connection to the town was a great story to tell. 

MacKenzie Crook’s gentle comedy The Detectorists captured the hearts of the nation over four series and a Christmas special. Even though Danebury is meant to be North Essex, the small town of Framlingham played host to the production, and keen fans head to the town to spot the filming locations. Crook is charming the nation once more with his current viral hit Small Prophets.

BTS on the set of The Dig.

It’s not just feature films and TV series that film in the county, a host of short films have used Suffolk’s unique landscape. Seasalter Road from Suffolk Shorts 2022 filmed at Aldeburgh, Merman, the film that featured in our 2023 event filmed in Orford and Sizewell and The Dog that Couldn’t Bark from our 2025 programme filmed at Glemham Hall.

Visit East of England can see the importance of the powerful effect of filming locations, and they’ve released some brand new maps and itineraries to help visitors navigate around their favourite spots. Each map shows where the locations are, and visitors can search by production. They link to accommodation in the area and have great insights and images from all favourite shows. 

Seasalter Road Trailer,  from Suffolk Shorts 2022

Screen Suffolk offers a ‘one-stop’ film service, from initial enquiry through to crew sourcing and permitting. We promote Suffolk’s film service infrastructure, creative talent and fantastic locations, all within easy reach of London. Our aim is to make Suffolk the most film-friendly county in the UK. If you’ve got a great filming location or would like any advice about filming in the county just reach out.  You can even make use of the large crew database for your next project.

We’re currently working on an exciting production so keep your eyes on the screen!

Author:

Rachel Aldridge

Rachel Aldridge is Director of Suffolk Shorts and Operations and Business Development Manager at Screen Suffolk, where she promotes and facilitates filming across the region.