TV viewers may spot a popular tourist spot when a new drama hits our TV screens.
Oakwell Hall in Birstall will feature in the BBC’s new drama Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, due to be shown early this year.
It may not be instantly recognisable but the historic house was one of the main locations for the adaptation of Susanna Clarke’s historical fantasy novel.
Eric Brown, heritage manager at Oakwell Hall, said: “The filming took place last year and they were here for over a month and I think people will be interested to see how they used Oakwell.
“There has been a history of filming at Oakwell for many years, the original silent version of Shirley was filmed here in the 1920s, and it would be great to get a copy of it.
“But since 2000 we have been a popular place for TV companies to film.
“We’ve taken images of how they’ve used the hall and we’re running tours to inform people about how Oakwell has been used for TV.”
Asked why he thought Oakwell was a popular filming location, Mr Brown added: “I think we understand the needs of the filming company and they respect how we operate and they understand the constraints of the building.
“It’s also a beautiful place.”
Jonathan Strange is played by Bertie Carvell, who has previously appeared in Doctor Who, and Sherlock Holmes actor Eddie Marsan plays Mr Norrell.
Being taken over by a film crew is nothing new for Oakwell Hall. A list of credits includes Wuthering Heights, The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister and Lost in Austen.
It was the location for the 1921 film of Charlotte Bronte’s Shirley and has also featured in Simon Schama’s History of Britain which was filmed by the BBC.
To coincide with the screening of this latest drama, the Oakwell Hall team are running special tours to offer an insight into Oakwell’s starring roles with a series of special tours of the Elizabethan manor house.
The tours are being held on February 7 and March 7 with further dates possible.
Visitors will learn how rooms were transformed, see props used during filming and view photographs taken during filming and showing the changes the house has had to undergo for the various productions.
The tours take place from 2pm to 3pm and places must be booked in advance, costing £5 per adult and £2.50 per child, which includes entry to the hall.
For further information ring 01924 326240.
