How To Experience The Real “Peaky Blinders” Locations In Manchester

Only a few TV dramas and movies have captured the imagination of local and international travellers, and Peaky Blinders is one of them. This story of Birmingham kingpin Thomas Shelby was instantly a global phenomenon and became one of the iconic characters on television. The mysterious and unpredictable nature of the character and the remarkable activity were not the only things that attracted everyone’s attention. The actual location, backdrop, settings, and industry atmosphere also played an equal role in making the series much better and engaging.

Although the gangs were shown as part of Birmingham’s ruthless industrial era, most people are unaware of the fact that the filming locations for the show also included Manchester, among other cities. That is because the city preserved the industrial architecture much better compared to Birmingham and provided a perfect backdrop for the tense moments in Peaky Blinders. From the historic canals and Victorian warehouses to former manufacturing districts, the city of Manchester checks all boxes for the gritty world of post-war Britain and gives us perfect filming locations to explore.

Here are all the real-life Peaky Blinders locations and how you can explore them easily for a good bit of fun.

Castlefield

Starting with Castlefield, which is also the heart of Peaky Blinders’ industrial showcase. This is located in Manchester’s city centre, on the west side of Deansgate. This region was heavily filmed for the Stand-in of the 1930s, Small Heath, in season 6. There is a railway viaduct that is best explored by strolling across the cobbled towpaths, allowing your group to enjoy perfect scenery all while feeling the vibe of the dark, ominous electric guitar of “Red Right Hand”.

According to experts, you should always explore this destination with a group, as multiple guided tours offer detailed insights. These tours also provide access to various other filming locations rather than the Castlefield, so you do not miss out on the perfect experience. Being the Shelbys’ home territory, the local guides will also allow you to capture images at the perfect angle. You just need a reliable minibus in Manchester to travel around the regions of Manchester to actually spend quality time exploring these filming locations in Castlefield.

The Rochdale Canal

Apart from Castlefield, you might not want to miss out on the Rochdale Canal. This region also became an instant attraction for travellers because of the important plot twists and, more importantly, the industrial setting. The region added all kinds of backdrops and scenes, including barges, warehouses, and even old canal infrastructure, which helped create the gritty environment that was part of Peaky Blinders.

The moment you arrive at the destination, you will be reminded of all the confrontations and the business dealings that the Shelby brothers did throughout the show. The modern side of the canal also allows visitors to go on a walking session and enjoy the unique perspective of Manchester’s industrial side. There are even guided tours available in the city to provide more detailed insights.

Apart from that, if you want to explore the Rochdale Canal yourself, you can follow the information boards along the route that also explain the canal’s historical influence. Seriously, the combination of industrial architecture and natural surroundings makes it perfect to ignore the rushed side of Manchester and enjoy a peaceful time at this Peaky Blinders filming location.

Victoria Baths

Also, a heritage building in Manchester, Victoria Baths, was an important filming site in Peaky Blinders. This location was famous for the horse fair in Season 2, where Tommy Shelby purchases a racehorse. The building is a magnificent sight to see from the inside out, all thanks to the stained glass windows and grand interiors.

Although it might not be easily recognisable to many visitors, there is a good reason for that. You see, to provide a perfect visualisation for the horse fair, the camera engineers heavily modified the modern buildings and added elements of timber and sawdust. This authenticity is what made the show really rewarding for fans, and visiting the Victoria Baths can make it even more fun and engaging.

It is not just a tourist destination, but the building also hosts heritage events and guided tours for all the visitors. That is why you should always make sure to check schedules for any upcoming events or festivals and perfectly time your journey to make the most of it.

Manchester’s Northern Quarter & Historic Streets

Some of the gritty scenes for Peaky Blinders, Birmingham, were also filmed in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The modern shops, creative architecture, and vibrant street art is worth seeing in the Northern Quarter. One of the best things that most travellers love about the Northern Quarter and Historic Streets is its well-preserved Victorian architecture.

Thanks to the narrow streets, older commercial buildings, and industrial heritage, production and camera engineers were able to design a perfect urban Britain to film most of the Peaky Blinders.

How To Plan A Perfect Peaky Blinders Tour?

Now that you know some of the famous filming destinations around Manchester, the best way to explore them is by a multi-day walking tour. You should start your day in Castlefield and spend a quality daytime across the streets and especially at the Victoria Baths. As long as you have decent transport to transfer you around the city and accommodation, you will be all set to enjoy the best Peaky Blinders experience in Manchester.