The world is holding its breath for the return of Thomas Shelby. With Cillian Murphy reprising his iconic role, fresh off his Academy Award win, the upcoming film ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ is one of the most anticipated cinematic events. The series has always been lauded for its gripping narrative and stunning visuals, and a huge part of its immersive atmosphere comes from its carefully chosen, authentic filming locations. The new film continues this tradition, transporting audiences back to post-WWI Britain by transforming real UK landmarks into the gritty, atmospheric world of the Shelby family.
The Enduring Allure of ‘Peaky Blinders’ and Set-Jetting
The phenomenon of “set-jetting,” or film-induced tourism, has become a powerful driver for the travel industry. Fans are no longer content to just watch their favorite stories; they want to walk the same streets and see the same vistas. ‘Peaky Blinders’ has already proven to be a significant draw for tourism in the UK, particularly for Birmingham and Liverpool. The Black Country Living Museum, a key location for the TV series, has seen immense success with its “Peaky Blinders Nights,” often selling out months in advance.
This deep connection between the show and its locations sets the stage for the upcoming film to create new pilgrimage sites for fans, promising a tangible link to the Shelby saga. The economic impact is significant; according to a report by the British Film Commission, screen tourism is a major contributor, with film and TV influencing the travel decisions of millions of international visitors to the UK.
A Traveler’s Map to ‘The Immortal Man’
The production has scouted a diverse range of locations across the UK, each selected to add a layer of historical authenticity and visual drama to the film.
Bradford’s ‘Little Germany’: The Ravaged Streets
To depict the bomb-scarred streets of post-war England, the filmmakers turned to the ‘Little Germany’ district in Bradford. This unique area is filled with well-preserved, Grade II listed Victorian buildings, originally built by 19th-century German wool merchants. Its grand, imposing architecture and grid-like streets provided the perfect, atmospheric stand-in for a city rebuilding itself from conflict, allowing the production to create a sense of scale and historical weight without relying solely on CGI.
Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin: The Industrial Heart
While much of the series was filmed elsewhere, Birmingham remains the spiritual home of the Peaky Blinders. The film fittingly returns to the city’s Gas Street Basin for key canal sequences. This area was once the bustling hub of Britain’s canal network during the Industrial Revolution. The restored waterways, narrowboats, and Victorian bridges are central to the series’ industrial aesthetic, symbolizing the source of the Shelby family’s grit and ambition. A visit here offers a direct glimpse into the industrial past that forged characters like Thomas Shelby.
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire: The Halls of Power
For scenes requiring a touch of grandeur and aristocratic decay, the production utilized Calke Abbey in Derbyshire. Managed by the National Trust, Calke Abbey is famously known as the “un-stately home” because its interiors have been preserved in a state of decline, rather than being perfectly restored. This unique quality makes it an ideal setting to reflect the complex social dynamics and perhaps the internal state of the Shelby family as they navigate the upper echelons of society.
St George’s Hall, Liverpool: A Stage for Drama
Liverpool has long served as a primary filming double for 1920s Birmingham throughout the series, and the film continues this partnership. The magnificent St George’s Hall, a Neoclassical masterpiece, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Its opulent interiors, including a grand hall and a concert room, provide a dramatic backdrop for pivotal scenes of power, confrontation, and celebration. The hall’s sheer scale and architectural splendor are likely to be used to underscore the height of the Shelby’s influence and the gravity of the challenges they face.
The Future Impact: A New Wave of ‘Peaky Blinders’ Tourism
The release of ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ is poised to trigger a new wave of tourism, directly benefiting the local economies of Bradford, Birmingham, Derbyshire, and Liverpool. We can anticipate a measurable increase in visitor numbers to these specific locations, fueling demand for guided tours, local hospitality, and merchandise.
The UK’s screen industries are a powerful economic force. In 2022, film and high-end television production generated a staggering £6.27 billion in spending. A significant portion of this value translates into long-term benefits through tourism. As fans flock to see where the final chapter of the Shelby story was filmed, these historic sites will not only gain international recognition but also secure vital tourism revenue that aids in their preservation and upkeep. For travelers, these locations offer more than just a photo opportunity; they provide an immersive experience, a chance to step through the screen and into the world of the Peaky Blinders, by order of the Peaky Blinders.
