Summer of Filming at Clifton College

This summer, Clifton College once again became a stage for stories big and small. From a BBC drama capturing its grand finale to an intimate student film already making waves at international festivals, our historic grounds have provided the perfect backdrop for creativity and imagination. Alongside these productions, Clifton College also welcomed photographers, global learners, and plenty of energy that kept the campus buzzing long after term had ended. 

At 8:22am on Saturday 5th July 2025, the Memorial Arch gates swung open to welcome the first of the production trucks, ready to transform the College for the final season of Boarders, produced by Studio Lambert for BBC Three.

Filming at Clifton always brings a touch of magic, perhaps that's why so many visitors compare it to Hogwarts! The College Chapel was dressed for a showstopping finale, overflowing with decadent floral arrangements from floor to ceiling. The Joseph Cooper Music School revealed a rebellious new look with vinyl graffiti, while the Head’s Corridor even hosted some four-legged farmyard visitors for a memorable midnight scene. 

From dawn setups to late-night shoots, the production team worked tirelessly, transforming Clifton College into St Gilbert’s and back again just in time for the new academic year.  

As filming for Boarders wrapped, the College welcomed a very different kind of production. Slipping in through the Sports Centre for an overnight shoot, a tight knit crew of students from the University of Cambridge, London Film School and University of Bristol set about filming their short heartfelt story, Your Choice to Leave. 

The film tenderly explores themes of boyhood, friendship and grief. Against the backdrop of our historic grounds, the exteriors provided exactly the stillness, history and presence needed to capture the story’s atmosphere and sentiment. 

Your Choice to Leave has already been selected for screening at the UK Film Summit, with preliminary slots lined up for both the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals, a huge milestone for such an intimate project. 

We were pleased to welcome photographer Josh Harris, previously recognised by the Bristol Film Festival in 2023, back to the College this summer to capture some of the iconic filming locations that have recently featured in Boarders and Doctor Who. 

Outside the world of showbusiness, we welcomed UKLC, who provide residential English language and activity programmes for students aged 8-18 years, back for a summer of residential activity. 

Also this summer, UKLC returned to the College, welcoming students from across the world. The programme not only fills the College with international vibrancy during the holidays, but also highlights Clifton as a place where culture and fun go hand in hand.