A Supporting Artist’s Guide to UK Film and TV Studios

UK film and television production spend reached an incredible £6.8 billion in 2025, with £5.8 billion attributed to international investment from major US studios. For supporting artists, this growth means more productions and more job opportunities, not just in London, but across the UK as new studios emerge and existing studios expand to keep up with demand.

From historic studios that shaped British cinema to cutting-edge complexes built for global streaming productions, the UK offers a diverse range of production environments. Whether you're hoping to work on Hollywood blockbusters at Pinewood Studios or series dramas filming in Bristol or Manchester, there’s a pathway into the industry that suits everyone.

This guide explores the UK’s major film studios and regional production hubs and provides practical travel advice for supporting artists who have been booked on a shoot.

Southeast England and London Studios

Pinewood Studios (Buckinghamshire, SL0 0NH)

One of the world’s most iconic studios, Pinewood has been the home of major franchises including James Bond and Star Wars. The site features the legendary 007 Stage, numerous sound stages, expansive backlots and even an underwater filming tank.

The studio is currently undergoing a major expansion, with 21 new sound stages and a Hollywood-style backlot planned, which will officially make it the largest film studio complex in the world.

Nearest stations: Uxbridge (Piccadilly Line) or Gerrards Cross (Chiltern Railways).

Travel from station: About 10-15 minutes by taxi.
 
Typical journey time from London

• 40 minutes from Marylebone to Gerrards Cross

• 50 minutes via Underground to Uxbridge

Travel tip for supporting artists: Public transport options directly to the studio are limited; many supporting artists rely on driving or a taxi from the nearest station.

Shepperton Studios (Surrey, TW17 0AR)

Located close to Pinewood, Shepperton has hosted major productions including Doctor Strange and The Mummy. The studio includes 15 stages, water tanks for aquatic filming and historic buildings such as Littleton House, which is used for location shoots.

Nearest station: Shepperton (Southwestern Railway from London Waterloo).

Typical journey time from London: Around 55–60 minutes from London Waterloo.

Travel from station: Approximately 15-minutes' walk.

Travel tips for supporting artists:

• Exit Shepperton railway station and walk along High Street toward Studios Road.

• The walk is straightforward but not heavily signposted, so use Google Maps or Citymapper.

• Many productions run unit minibuses between the station and studio gate, especially for early call times. Check your check-in message for instructions.

• If arriving very early (before 7am), taxis from the station are often easier. 

Longcross Studios (Surrey, KT16 0EE)

Longcross features four major sound stages and over 200 acres of backlot space, including a former automotive test track frequently used for action sequences.

Recent productions include Skyfall and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The site is also expanding with new “Meganova” rapid-build stages designed for fast-turnaround productions.

Nearest station: Longcross (Southwestern Railway from London Waterloo).

Typical journey time from London: Around 45–50 minutes from London Waterloo.

Travel from station: Approximately 20 minutes’ walk.

Travel tip for supporting artists: The station is small and located in a semi-rural area. Walking routes can be poorly lit early in the morning, so many supporting artists take a short taxi instead.

Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden (Hertfordshire, WD25 7LP)

Originally an aircraft factory, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden has been transformed into one of the UK’s most advanced studio facilities.

It is famously associated with the Harry Potter film and television series but has hosted numerous other large-scale productions, including DC superhero films. The site features large water tanks, extensive backlots and highly advanced production infrastructure.

Nearest Station: Watford Junction.

Typical journey time from London 

• Around 18–20 minutes from London Euston via Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains or London Northwestern Railway.

• Around 50 minutes via London Overground from London Euston. 

Travel from station: Approximately 10-15 minutes by taxi.

Travel tips for supporting artists:

• Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is located on a large secure site and is not easily accessible on foot from the station, especially for early call times. Most supporting artists take a taxi from Watford Junction or share rides.

• Production sometimes arranges unit minibuses from the station, but this varies depending on the shoot. Always check your check-in instructions or call sheet for travel information, which will include the exact gate and arrival point of any studio-arranged transport.

Ealing Studios (West London, W5 5EP)

Operating continuously since 1902, Ealing Studios is the oldest working film studio in the world. Historically known for classic British comedies, the studio has continued to host modern productions including The Theory of Everything and Downton Abbey.

Nearest station: Ealing Broadway (Central, District and Elizabeth Lines and National Rail).

Typical journey time from London:

• 10 minutes from London Paddington via the Elizabeth Line

• 35 minutes from Oxford Circus via the Central Line  

Travel from station: Approximately 5-7 minutes' walk.

Elstree Studios (Hertfordshire, WD6 1JG)

A historic hub for British television and film production, Elstree has produced everything from classic TV to blockbuster cinema.

Nearest station: Elstree & Borehamwood (Thameslink).

Typical journey time from London: 25 minutes from London St Pancras International.

Journey time from station: Approximately 10-15 minutes' walk.

Travel tips for supporting artists:

• Exit the station toward Borehamwood High Street and walk along Shenley Road.

• The studio entrance is clearly marked, but check train service updates, as Thameslink schedules can vary early in the morning.

Shinfield Studios (Berkshire, RG2 9LH)

A relatively new studio development at Thames Valley Science Park, Shinfield Studios features 18 state-of-the-art sound stages and is designed to support high-end international productions.

Nearest stations: Reading (Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, CrossCountry and the Elizabeth Line) and Wokingham (Great Western Railway and South Western Railway).

Typical journey time from London:

• Reading: About 22-30 minute from London Paddington via Great Western Railway or 50-60 minutes from central London via the Elizabeth Line.

• Wokingham: Just over one hour from London Waterloo or Paddington.  

Journey time from station: Approximately 15-20 minutes by car or taxi.

Travel tip for supporting artists: The studio sits within a science and technology park, so public transport links are limited. Many productions arrange unit transport or encourage car sharing.

3 Mills Studios (East London, E3 3DU)

Located near Bow, the historic 3 Mills Studios features 14 stages and distinctive architecture. It has hosted notable animation productions such as Fantastic Mr. Fox and Corpse Bride. 

Nearest station: Bromley-by-Bow (District or Hammersmith & City Line).

Typical journey time from London:

• From Embankment/Charing Cross: About 20 minutes via the District Line.

• From King's Cross St. Pancras: About 25 minutes via the Hammersmith & City line.

• From Victoria: About 30 minutes via the District Line.

Journey time to station: Approximately 8-10 minutes’ walk.

Travel tip for supporting artists: Parking is extremely limited, so public transport is recommended.

Twickenham Film Studios (Southwest London, TW1 2AW)

Founded in 1913, Twickenham Film Studios remains an active studio with modern upgrades and post-production facilities.

Nearest stations: St Margarets (South Western Railway or Greater Anglia) or Richmond (Underground District Line, Overground Mildmay Line or Great Western Railway).

Typical journey time from London:

• St Margaret’s: 28-30 minutes from London Waterloo via South Western Railway.

• Richmond: 18-25 minutes from London Waterloo via via South Western Railway or 30 minutes from Victoria via the District Line.  

Journey times from station:

• St Margarets: 5-7 minutes’ walk

• Richmond: 20 minutes’ walk or short bus or taxi ride 

Travel tip for supporting artists: St Margarets is the closest station, but trains are less frequent. Richmond offers more transport options, including the Underground, Overground and buses.

Wimbledon Film & Television Studios (Southwest London, SW19 3TL)

Wimbledon Film & Television Studios is a well-established production facility used for TV shows, ads and streaming productions.

Nearest station: South Wimbledon (Northern Line).

Typical journey time from London: About 23 minutes from London Waterloo via the Northern Line.

Journey from station: Approximately 8-10 minutes’ walk.

Travel tip for supporting artists: The studio is in a residential and industrial area, so allow extra time to locate the entrance if it’s your first visit.

Southwest England & West Country Studios

The Bottle Yard Studios (Bristol, BS14 0BH)

The largest dedicated production facility in the West Country, The Bottle Yard Studios has over 11 stages and regularly hosts drama series, films and entertainment programmes, playing a key role in boosting regional production in Bristol and the Southwest.

Aardman Animations (Bristol, BS1 6UN)

Although not a traditional soundstage studio, Aardman Animations is internationally famous for its stop-motion animation, producing beloved characters such as Wallace and Gromit.

For supporting artists, animation productions sometimes require reference performers or movement actors, offering unique opportunities within the industry.

Midlands & North England Studios

Space Studios Manchester (M12 5FQ)

Opened in 2014, Space Studios Manchester is a purpose-built complex which includes six stages across 85,000 square feet.

Major productions filmed here include Dragons’ Den, Peaky Blinders and The Crown.

Tatton Studios & Locations (Manchester, WA14 3QA)

Located near Manchester Airport, Tatton Studios & Locations offers 6,000 acres of filming backlot including rural landscapes and large build spaces, ideal for large-scale productions.

Versa Studios (Leeds, LS3 1HD)

One of Yorkshire’s modern production hubs with 130,000 square feet of space, Versa Studios has been the home of productions such as Bodies and Secret Invasion.

Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland Studios

Roath Lock Studios (Wales, CF10 4GA)

BBC’s flagship Welsh studio, Roath Lock Studios has been home to major series including Doctor Who and Casualty.

Wolf Studios (Wales, CF3 2GH)

Wolf Studios is a major production facility and home to leading UK production company Bad Wolf Studios, the creators of large-scale series including His Dark Materials and Industry.

Titanic Studios (Northern Ireland, BT3 9DT)

Famous as the production base for Game of Thrones, Titanic Studios continues to attract high-budget international productions.

Pacific Quay (Scotland, G51 1DA) 

A modern broadcast and production hub, Pacific Quay supports a range of television productions filmed in Scotland.

Essential travel tips for supporting artists

Supporting artists often travel early, carry costumes and navigate unfamiliar filming locations. Being prepared can make all the difference, so follow these tips for a smooth shoot day.

Plan the night before

Always read your check-in message carefully. Confirm the studio entrance, arrival time and any specific travel instructions, including whether you will receive a travel allowance to cover your travel costs (this may be in your booking enquiry message).

Use apps like Google Maps or Citymapper to check routes and transport updates and plan your route out in advance, factoring in some buffer time for traffic or delays.

 Use railcards and travel discounts

Railcards can significantly reduce travel costs, offering up to one-third off train fares. Popular options for supporting artists include:

• 16-25 Railcard

• Network Railcard 

For London travel, contactless payments are typically cheaper than Oyster cards.

Arrive early

Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before check-in to allow time for security checks or unexpected delays.

Save important contact numbers

Production offices or AD teams often include an emergency contact number in your check-in message. Save this to your phone in case you encounter access issues and have no mobile service to view your check-in message.

Scout the location

Check Google Street View beforehand so you know what the studio entrance and signage look like.
 
Driving and parking tips

Many large studios have multiple gates and entrances. The postcode usually leads to the main security gate, but supporting artists are sometimes directed to different entrances depending on the production.

Most studios are located outside city centres, so driving is common.

• Always check whether parking is available
• Use apps like JustPark or Parkopedia to pre-book spaces
• Note that some studios require permits or pre-arranged access 

This is especially important for larger sites like Leavesden or Pinewood. Any specific parking details will be included in your check-in message.

Interested in becoming a supporting artists on UK film and TV productions?

The UK’s expanding studio network means supporting artists have more entry points into the industry than ever before. With major studios across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, productions are no longer confined solely to London.

If you're interested in becoming a supporting artist on UK film and TV productions, join the EP Casting Community today! It's free to sign up and with one simple profile, you can make yourself available to the UK's leading casting agencies.