6 TV shows that were filmed in Oxford

But it has also been a backdrop to some of the most well-known television programmes.

Inspector Morse

Before there was Endeavour, and Lewis, there was Morse - all based on the books by Colin Dexter. 

The series, starring John Thaw, was filmed at many Oxford colleges and Morse enjoyed a drink of real ale at many pubs including The Old Bookbinders Ale House where Morse and Lewis have a drink and discuss a case. 

The detective often went to what is now called The Morse Bar at The Randolph Hotel to complete The Times crossword puzzle and take a glass of whisky.

He downed a pint at The King’s Arms while The Eagle and Child was referred to as ‘Shears Wine Bar’ in the TV series and The Victoria Arms in Marston is often featured in the shows. It was here that Lewis asked Morse to recommend him for promotion over drinks on the lawn.

The Grade I listed Sheldonian Theatre featured in Twilight of the Gods.

Also frequently used by Morse, Lewis and Endeavour was the Bodleian Library.

Sheep Street in Burford was used as the crime scene where John Barron falls to his death from a ladder.

Lewis

Among the many Oxford locations, the interiors of the Bodleian Library were used for the scene in which Lewis and Hathaway interview Professor Gold.

In the first episode of Lewis, Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway go inside the Ashmolean Museum to look at ancient Greek coins.

Endeavour

The prequel to Inspector Morse, which has recently drawn the story to a close, featured the young detective who goes on to become Inspector Morse.

Christ Church, Magdalen College and St Edmund's Hall and the Bridge of Sighs feature prominently and television crews for the final series were spotted in Radcliffe Square, St John’s Street and Turl Street in the city centre.

Some of the city’s watering holes made a return appearance, as Morse and Thursday mulled over murder while downing a pint.

Even in his younger incarnation, Endeavour still liked the King's Arms, The Bear and the Eagle and Child, The White Horse and the Lamb and Flag.

Several scenes, including the final one, were also filmed at Blenheim Palace.

Black Mirror

The Channel 4 series created by Charlie Brooker features near-future dystopias and uses sci-fi technology to comment on contemporary social issues. The 2016 episode Shut Up and Dance about a teenager blackmailed anonymously over the internet, starred Alex Lawther as Kenny and Jerome Flynn as Hector, and was written by Brooker and William Bridges. It was filmed at Wittenham Clumps.

In another episode a final fight scene was filmed at Didcot Power Station.

A Discovery of Witches

Sky One's 2019 supernatural thriller appeared to be set in all sorts of worldwide locations from the colleges of Oxford to the canals of Venice, the Scottish Highlands and an opulent castle in France.

Locations included the Bodleian Library, New College, Brown’s Café in the Oxford Covered Market, the White Horse pub (where Matthew and other vampires enjoy a drink) and the college boathouses.

However, a lot of the interiors for these locations were constructed as sets inside Bad Wolf Studios, including the Duke Humfrey’s Library section of the Bodleian.

While the crew did receive permission to film inside the Bodleian, the restrictions – including limited crew members, restricted filming time and a veto on any practical effects – made it too difficult for them to shoot all the scenes they needed.

Instead, they spent eight weeks building their own version.

Anatomy of a Scandal

Last year's political drama on Netflix starred Rupert Friend, who grew up in Stonesfield, as minister James Whitehouse who is happily married to Sienna Miller with a loving family home until a scandalous secret comes to light. 

Filming took place at  Radcliffe Square and despite the scenes of James at university not being filmed there, filming did take place in New College Lane, Brasenose Lane and  Wadham.

Some scenes meant to be based at Oxford University were filmed in Winchester College in Hampshire.