In May 1940, the fate of World War II hangs on Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or fight on knowing that it could mean the end of the British Empire.
Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Civic Quarter, City Centre, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, M2 5DB, United Kingdom
Bothel and Threapland, Sunderland, Blindcrake, Cumberland, England, CA7 2JN, United Kingdom
University of Greenwich - Greenwich Campus, Romney Road, Greenwich Town Centre, East Greenwich, Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greater London, England, SE10 9LS, United Kingdom
The gripping wartime drama of Churchill’s first weeks as prime minister earned Gary Oldman an Oscar under hours of prosthetics – and filmed across England, using grand stately homes and civic halls to recreate wartime Westminster and Buckingham Palace.
Where was Darkest Hour filmed?
Darkest Hour was filmed across England – Wentworth Woodhouse (as Buckingham Palace), Manchester Town Hall (as Parliament) and London.
Every Darkest Hour location, explained
1
Buckingham Palace – Wentworth Woodhouse
The palace scenes used the vast Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire.
2
Parliament – Manchester Town Hall
The House of Commons scenes used the grand Manchester Town Hall.
3
Wartime Westminster – London
The film used real London, including Whitehall and the Westminster area.
4
The Cabinet War Rooms
The film recreates the underground war rooms where Churchill directed the war.
Planning a visit
Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire and Manchester Town Hall are both magnificent, visitable buildings, and the real Churchill War Rooms in London are open as a museum.
Darkest Hour Fun Facts
1
Oldman's transformation Gary Oldman spent hours in prosthetic make-up daily to become Churchill – and won Best Actor.
2
Yorkshire plays the palace Buckingham Palace scenes used Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire.
3
Manchester as Parliament The Commons scenes used Manchester Town Hall.
4
An invented Tube scene A famous Underground scene, where Churchill meets the public, was dramatic invention.
5
A companion to Dunkirk The film covers the same days as Dunkirk from the political side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plays Buckingham Palace in Darkest Hour?
Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire.
Where were the Parliament scenes filmed?
At Manchester Town Hall.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Wentworth Woodhouse, Manchester Town Hall and the London Churchill War Rooms are all open.
