When the cameras roll.. Coronation Street ARLEY has witnessed the magic of television on many occasions. This behind-the-scenes look at the filming will hopefully offer you a snapshot of what went on before, during and after the cameras rolled. Peaky Blinders Arley was taken over by Birmingham gangsters in November 2015 after the BBC decided the hall would be the perfect home for Tommy Shelby in Series 3 of Peaky Blinders. Actors Cillian Murphy, Helen McCro- ry, Paul Anderson and Joe Cole spent a month filming here. Oscar-nominated Hollywood star Tom Hardy also had a day on set. Arley’s library was transformed into Tommy’s study and the opening wedding scenes were Arley has enjoyed a great long-term relationship with the staged in the Drawing Room and The Gallery. location manager and producers of Coronation Street. We have surpassed four weddings and a funeral and have now hosted five weddings and at least four funerals, including Deirdre Barlow and Kylie Platt. With so many high-pro- file occasions being filmed here - and everyone desperate to know how the story ends - we have to be on our guard for paparazzi and obviously have to keep any spoilers a secret. To see where the dramatic weddings took place Take a ‘peak’ for the likes of Steve McDonald and Roy Cropper head to behind the The Chapel. scenes of TV Disney’s Evermoor Chronicles production Evermoor was Disney’s first long-form, live action series We were amazed at the attention to detail including a filmed in the UK and they chose Arley to be Evermoor at Arley huge portrait of Tommy that included Arley Hall in the Manor. It was screened in 160 countries and is now in its background. Walls were painted green (then repainted third series. We always try to be as accommodating as to their original peach after filming had wrapped), a possible for film crews and directors. For Evermoor’s first dramatic fight scene was staged next to the Ilex Col- series this included digging up a large section of grass www.arleyhallandgardens.com umns and horses were raced outside the hall. It was an on the Furlong Walk and replacing it with turf so that a 01565 777 353 amazing experience for everyone! wicker statue could be set alight. We later put the quality grass back down so our visitors, hopefully, couldn’t Antiques Roadshow notice the difference. This being a family show, Disney covered up the modesty of the cherub that stands in Everyone at Arley enjoyed welcoming Antiques Road- front of the hall, but you can see it in all its glory show and agreed it was a lovely experience to be part of today! the programme. Two episodes were filmed in one day and included the story of a golden bracelet found hid- den in a wall in Arley Hall. Experts also identified one of the most valuable paintings ever seen on Antiques Roadshow. The episodes were seen by millions and re- sulted in extra visitors to Arley - advertising that money couldn’t buy! Our Zoo This was probably the most unusual filming experience of all. We knew it would be unique when we were asked if a camel could be brought into the hall? We were reas- sured that it would ‘have a litter tray’. Arley doubled up as Lady Katherine’s house where an auction was taking place. We also ended up with an igunana, penguins, a monkey and a python in the hall. Fortunately there were no accidents. We also hosted the circus in the first epi- sode and an exciting night shoot involving an escaped bear. Poliakoff’s - Close to the Enemy The early days of Arley on film.. We have built up a strong relationship with several The Real Housewives of Cheshire The first records of TV crews at Arley start in the early location managers in the north west who usually pop 1980s with an episode of Shades of Darkness and scenes round, take lots of photographs and report back when Arley’s Olympia suite played host to a Bollywood- for an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. Then there was scouting for a new location. However, no matter how themed birthday party in The Real Housewives of Cluedo, which ran from 1990 to 1993. Arley posed as perfect we seem to the location manager we know to Cheshire. Seema Malhotra booked Arley herself, but Arlington Grange and technicians who worked on the not get too excited until the director has visited. Ste- the film crews decided to follow her 45th birthday series are still coming back with productions today. phen Poliakoff looked around the hall for 90 seconds party celebrations, which included drinks on the Ter- before taking his leave. A few weeks later, though, he race Lawn. Our Olympia suite had never seen anything was back with his art director who managed to per- like it before - there was an island bar, club room with And the others.. suade him that Arley would be suitable for his BBC DJ and a centrepiece of an elephant as well as a Bol- production ‘Close to the Enemy.’ When it was filmed lywood drag act. Most of what was aired was filmed in The Forsyte Saga, Manchester United’s Christmas the Walled Garden was used as Buckingham Palace’s one night, but earlier in the week some exterior footage message, Gardeners’ World, Great British Garden garden, the Drawing Room in the Hall was used as a was shot including some drone clips. Seema took centre Revival,‘Who Let The Dogs Out?’, It’s Me Or The Dog, nightclub and featured a star turn from Alfred Molina. stage when she danced with other stars of the show and Lose Weight for Love, Perfect Housewives, Watching False walls were built and a green screen created the there was the usual heated debate that is a regular occur- the Detectives, Marrying Mum & Dad, Bargain Hunt, London skyline outside Arley’s windows. ance amongst the housewives. Flog It, Songs of Praise, Midwinter of the Spirit..