THE NOTSWOLDS: A FRESH COTSWOLDS ALTERNATIVE FOR FILM, TV AND LOCATION SCOUTS
Rutland Lake in the Notswolds a great filming location
13th of June, 2025.
THE NOTSWOLDS: A FRESH COTSWOLDS ALTERNATIVE FOR FILM, TV AND LOCATION SCOUTS
Key Points
Film Location Gold: Discover the Untapped Beauty of the Notswolds
Affordable, Authentic & Unspoilt – Perfect for Productions and Property Investors
Move over, Cotswolds – the Notswolds are having a moment. This idyllic patch of rural England, spanning Leicestershire and Rutland, is fast becoming the industry’s best-kept secret. With sweeping countryside, honey-hued stone villages, historic homes and untouched market towns, the Notswolds are a dream backdrop for filmmakers, production crews and location scouts looking for something both quintessentially British and fresh.
And for those seeking to invest in film-friendly property? The region offers a Cotswold aesthetic at half the cost – with stately manors, rustic farmhouses and charming rectories that don’t yet come with a premium postcode markup.
Welland Barns, a film location in the Notswolds.
Why Film in the Notswolds?
1. Authentic English Charm Without the Crowds
The Cotswolds may be beautiful, but it’s bursting with tourists and over-familiar visuals. The Notswolds – think Uppingham, Market Harborough, Medbourne and the Welland Valley – deliver the same honey-stone villages, rolling hills and dry stone walls, minus the chaos. Perfect for productions looking for something recognisably English yet undiscovered.
2. A Ready-Made Filming Infrastructure
SL has exclusive access to an ever-growing portfolio of historic properties, country estates, and untouched landscapes in Leicestershire and Rutland. From Georgian rectories to medieval castles and quintessential village pubs (like the Nevill Arms in Medbourne), the Notswolds offers unparalleled variety – with flexible owners and easy access to both London and Birmingham.
Spotlight Locations in the Notswolds
Uppingham: A picture-perfect market town with Georgian architecture, cobbled courtyards and a thriving creative community. It’s no surprise boutique hotels like No.23 Uppingham are drawing attention.
Nevill Holt Estate: A grand backdrop for both period dramas and stylish modern shoots. Also home to the Nevill Holt Opera Festival, this venue fuses culture, heritage and prestige.
Rutland Water: One of the largest man-made lakes in Europe, surrounded by walking trails, wildlife, and a peaceful inland beach – ideal for everything from sweeping drone shots to water scenes.
The Welland Valley: Green, lush, and largely untouched – ideal for equestrian shoots, countryside commercials or immersive lifestyle content.
Slate House, a film location in the Notswolds.
Thinking of Listing Your Location?
If you own property in the Notswolds – from barns and cottages to estates and paddocks – this is your moment. SL is actively seeking new locations to meet growing production demand in the region. With the rise of film tourism and the UK’s ongoing content boom, this could mean passive income, PR exposure and a front-row seat to the creative process.
Why the Notswolds, Why Now?
Media outlets from Country Life to The Times are singing its praises, dubbing it the “Cotswolds without the pretence”. House prices remain reasonable, the landscapes unspoilt and the local hospitality scene – think stylish pubs, arts festivals and boutique stays – is blooming.
The real beauty of the Notswolds lies in its authenticity. It’s not trying to be something – it already is. The aesthetic is timeless. The access is easy. The filming potential is enormous.
Rothwell Church, a film location in the Notswolds.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re:
A location scout hunting for something new
A producer tired of overused sets and high fees
Or a property owner ready to showcase your estate to the world
SL is your partner for unlocking the full potential of the Notswolds.
