The Bottle Yard Studios

From Bottling Plant To The Largest Dedicated Film And TV Studio Facility In The West Of England

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Spanning seven acres, or more than five football pitches, The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, South Bristol, is the largest dedicated film and TV studio facility in the West of England, with eight stages, a giant green screen studio, workshops, production offices, and a range of other production areas.

Today the site’s vast warehouses buzz with filming activity from productions like Sanditon (ITV), Poldark (BBC), Fortitude (Sky Atlantic) and The Spanish Princess (Starz)—but it wasn’t long ago that they were totally silent. For more than half a century it was home to a bottling plant with a production line that at one point produced more than 3 million litres of Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry per year, but when the winery industry departed, the huge warehouses stood empty. In 2010, site owners Bristol City Council took the innovative step of reimagining the site as a creative hub for Bristol’s TV and film sector, and The Bottle Yard Studios was born.

Fortitude (Sky Atlantic/Fifty Fathoms)

Today, Studios attract UK and overseas film and TV titles of all sizes; more than 50 productions have passed through since the doors opened. The site exists to bring money into the local economy, keep local crews working at home, and raise Bristol’s film profile across the world. Its creative hub of more than 20 business tenants delivers a host of specialist services including creative, digital, technical and audio/visual expertise, grip, transport, structural, fire and safety assistance.

“Filming at The Bottle Yard Studios and in Bristol has been a wonderful experience. The crew, the people of Bristol, the beauty of the city and surrounding countryside have provided Keeler with the perfect backdrop to create 1960s London. I will be a vocal advocate of filming in Bristol and dearly hope to come back soon.”– Rebecca Ferguson, Ecosse Films – Producer, The Trial of Christine Keeler, BBC One

Run by a small team who all have professional backgrounds in the industry, The Bottle Yard Studios has built a strong reputation for being responsive, flexible, and fully understanding of producers’ needs. At the helm is Studios Director Fiona Francombe, whose background in location management led her to envisage the potential for a dedicated Bristol studio, a vision she originally took to Bristol City Council which sparked the concept of The Bottle Yard. Fiona has led the development of the Studios from the outset, and in 2019 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The University of the West of England for her exceptional contribution to film & TV production.

Responding to Fiona Francombe’s Honorary Doctorate from UWE

“I’m delighted to see one of Bristol’s local stars honoured for her contribution to the local film and culture sectors. Fiona’s work has ensured that The Bottle Yard Studios has established itself amongst the film and TV industry as a top-class facility that attracts major productions on a continuing basis and has contributed greatly to Bristol’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence in the sector. Her efforts, alongside other partners from across Bristol, helped ensure our success in attracting Channel 4, and she continues to help build what will be an important and fruitful relationship for the whole city.”– Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees

For every ‘broadcast hour’ of on-screen drama made at the Studios last year, an estimated 14 FTE jobs were created on-site. More than 500 FTE jobs in total were generated by productions and businesses on site in 2018, and the Studios contributed to an estimated £15 million inward investment spend into Bristol from filming-related activity.

The Studios actively support training for career entrants. A 2-year Media Production Diploma course for 16-18-year-olds, delivered by Boomsatsuma on behalf of Bristol WORKS, has been taught on-site since September 2018, giving young students a unique learning experience in a working studio environment. The Studios also collaborates with UWE Bristol, University of Bristol, Screenology Film School, Creative Skillset, and other skills and education providers.

Awarded Best Business Services – Bristol Life Awards 2018

Made at The Bottle Yard Studios:

  • Sanditon (ITV),
  • The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC One)
  • The Spanish Princess (Starz)
  • Poldark (BBC One)
  • Hellboy
  • (Lionsgate)
  • Fortitude (Sky Atlantic)
  • The Crystal Maze (Channel 4)
  • Tipping Point & Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV)
  • Andy’s Safari Adventures (CBeebies)
  • Eric, Ernie & Me (BBC Four)
  • Ill Behaviour (BBC Two)
  • Three Girls (BBC One)
  • The White Princess (Starz)
  • Broadchurch (ITV)
  • Trollied (Sky1)
  • Crazyhead E4/Netflix)
  • Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (BBC One)
  • The Living and the Dead (BBC One)
  • Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures (CBeebies)
  • Galavant (Disney/ABC Studios)
  • Wolf Hall (BBC Two)
  • The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies (ITV)

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