This page is your one-stop shop for film, TV, commercial and photography productions looking to shoot in Oldham. From local parks and grand civic architecture to open moorland, bustling markets and quaint Pennine villages, Oldham offers an unmatched range of backdrops, all just a short journey from Manchester City Centre.
Our small team works hard to make filming here simple, fast and hassle free, liaising with highways, parking, schools, parks and community teams so you can focus on getting the perfect shots.
Why Film in Oldham?
- Location, location, location: Oldham sits at the foot of the Pennines, within Greater Manchester and around 20–30 minutes from Manchester city centre and Manchester Airport, with direct Metrolink and rail connections.
- Incredible variety: from grand civic buildings to open parkland, canal-side villages and dramatic moorland, all within a short drive of each other.
- Cost-effective: competitive location fees, free and low-cost parking options, and access to empty retail units and civic spaces that can be dressed to suit your production.
- Community-ready - from schools to shopping centres to historic churches, our locations come with willing partners keen to welcome your crew.
Our Locations
Oldham's locations are grouped into five distinct areas, each with its own character. Explore each below:
- Parks, woodland and open space
- Town centre spots
- Saddleworth villages
- Civic and education buildings
- Partner locations
Apply to Film in Oldham
Ready to bring your production to Oldham? Getting started is simple. Just fill in the filming request form.
If you have any questions, please email: Jack.Child@oldham.gov.uk
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Parks, Woodland and Open Space
Oldham's green spaces offer production teams a genuinely adaptable canvas. Oldham has more than 30 parks to choose from and open moorland, all offering something unique.
What's on offer
- Open parkland, formal gardens and lakeside views
- Mature woodland, forest trails and meadows
- Adaptable scenery - can work for countryside, wilderness or landscaped park settings
For a full list of parks and green spaces, visit our parks page.
Well suited to
- Period and contemporary drama
- Nature and wildlife filming
- Commercials and lifestyle shoots
- Student and independent film
Town Centre
Oldham town centre offers a range of filming locations all within talking distance of each other.
What's on offer
- Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre – retail units and walkways
- The Market - a bustling setting for a market setting with various eateries and a large foyer
- Multi-storey car parks
- Empty retail units available to hire and dress as required by the production
- Parliament Square – large open square
- Egyptian Room Foodhall – Grade 2 Listed large space, suitable for period pieces
- Oldham Library, Gallery Oldham, The Theatre Workshop and library gardens
Find out more about the Creating a Better Place programme for future opportunities and locations.
Well suited to
- Contemporary and period street scenes
- Shopping centre, market and concert sequences
- Chase sequences and car park scenes
- Productions needing a blank-canvas retail unit which can be dressed as needed
Saddleworth Villages
Tucked into the Pennine hills on the edge of Oldham, the villages of Saddleworth offer classic charm. Think stone cottages, canal locks, and village greens.
What's on offer
- Uppermill - village centre, library, canal locks and towpaths, independent shops and cafés
- Delph and Dobcross - villages with a strong period character
- Greenfield - including the road up past Dovesonte? useful for road and driving sequences
- Diggle and Huddersfield Narrow Canal path - locks, bridges and towpaths for walking and canal boat scenes
Well suited to
- Period drama and rural romance
- Village and community-set storylines
- Canal and waterway sequences
- Driving and road-use sequences
Civic and Education Buildings
Oldham's civic buildings offer a rare mix of retro and functional interiors, from a striking 1960s-era hall to a classic council chamber, office space and car parking. The schools network can also support the popular demand for education settings – just get in touch with us.
What's on offer
- Queen Elizabeth Hall - a retro venue suitable for events, concerts and period scenes
- Civic Centre Tower – with a council chamber, meeting rooms and office space over 10 floors
- A network of local schools able to host productions requiring classroom, corridor, hall or playground settings
- Chadderton Town Hall – a grand building from 1912 that oozes character
- A network of libraries across Oldham – all various sizes and backdrops
Well suited to
- Period and retro-set productions (1960s–1980s interiors)
- Political and institutional drama (council chamber, office space)
- Education-set storylines
- Corporate and commercial shoots needing office space
Partner Locations
Beyond council-owned sites, Oldham Film Office works with a number of external partners who are happy to welcome productions to their own remarkable locations - from dramatic reservoir scenery to places of worship.
What's on offer
- Dovestones Reservoir - dramatic reservoir, moorland and hillside scenery
- Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Temple - colourful temple interior and exterior, ideal for productions needing an authentic place of worship
- Historic churches - traditional Gothic architecture, ideal for period drama, ceremony scenes and atmospheric interiors
Well suited to
- Landscape and drama sequences requiring dramatic natural scenery
- Productions needing an authentic, working place of worship
- Period and Gothic-set drama
- Ceremony, wedding and funeral scenes