Why Durham is a Star of ITV’s Vera

ITV’s Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn as the straight-talking DCI Vera Stanhope, is one of the UK’s best-loved crime dramas. Alongside the gripping storylines, fans can’t get enough of the stunning North East filming locations.

While Newcastle and Northumberland often take centre stage, Durham has quietly become one of the show’s hidden gems, from rugged coastlines to historic towns. Here’s your complete guide to Vera filming locations in Durham (that you can actually visit).

1. Durham Cathedral & City

Durham City’s medieval skyline and cobbled streets make it a perfect setting for establishing shots in Vera. The Cathedral has occasionally appeared, its Gothic architecture providing a dramatic backdrop that suits the show’s moody aesthetic.

Visit like Vera: Take the Durham Heritage Walk and picture Vera striding across Palace Green in her bucket hat.

2. Seaham

Seaham’s clifftops, harbour, and marina have starred in several episodes. Most notably, Blast Beach featured in Season 11. Its eerie beauty and sweeping coastline is the perfect location for a crime scene.

Visit tip: Walk the Durham Coastal Path and catch sunrise at Blast Beach for a true Vera-style moment.

3. Blackhall Rocks

A popular spot for tense discovery scenes, Blackhall Rocks offers sweeping views across the North Sea and unique cliff formations.

Visit tip: Bring a camera, the geology here makes for atmospheric photos worthy of a TV drama backdrop.

4. Beamish Museum

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has been used for period flashbacks and plots involving historical crimes. With its 1900s town, 1940s farm, and 1950s village, it provides an authentic stage for Vera’s investigations.

Visit tip: Don’t miss the 1900s Pit Village, it feels like stepping into one of Vera’s case files.

5. Stanley

The former mining town of Stanley brings gritty realism to Vera. Its terraced streets and industrial heritage have been used for everything from suspect interviews to chilling murder scenes.

6. Easington & Easington Colliery

Fans may recognise Easington Colliery, which featured in Billy Elliot and later in Vera Season 10. Its dramatic headlands and colliery houses create a stark, atmospheric backdrop.

7. Barnard Castle & Teesdale

The market town of Barnard Castle and the surrounding Teesdale countryside are often used for remote hideouts or rural settings in Vera. Think isolated farmhouses, village pubs, and brooding dales scenery.

Visit tip: Explore the ruins of Barnard Castle before following the River Tees into rolling countryside.

8. Durham Dales & Moors (Weardale & Baldersdale)

When an episode needs a bleak, windswept location, Durham’s moorlands step up. With stone walls, isolated farms, and sweeping heather, Weardale and Baldersdale create that classic Vera suspense.

9. Chester-le-Street – Citrone’s Café

Sometimes Vera swaps windswept clifftops for a more down-to-earth pit-stop. Citrone’s Café on Front Street, Chester-le-Street, was used as a filming location in season 11. Fans spotted Brenda Blethyn and the cast filming here, proof that even everyday cafés can make it onto the small screen.

Visit tip: Pop in for a coffee and slice of cake, and you can say you’ve sat where Vera herself once investigated over a cuppa.

Bonus: Plan Your Own Vera Trail

Why not follow in Vera’s footsteps with a self-guided trail?

• Start on the Durham Heritage Coast: Seaham, Blackhall Rocks, and Easington in one scenic day.

• Step back in time at Beamish Museum.

• End in Durham City, soaking up history and cinematic atmosphere.

Perfect for a UK staycation in Durham, whether you’re a die-hard Vera fan or just love moody landscapes.

From dramatic clifftops to cobbled cathedral lanes, Durham has become a quiet star of Vera. Exploring these filming locations offers fans the chance to step inside the world of the show, all while discovering the county’s real-life beauty.

Discover more about TV and film locations in Durham at Durham On Screen - This is Durham

FAQs About Vera Filming Locations in Durham

• 1. Which episodes of Vera were filmed in County Durham? Several episodes feature Durham locations, including Season 10 at Easington Colliery and Season 11 at Seaham’s Blast Beach. Beamish Museum, Blackhall Rocks, and Durham’s moorlands also appear across multiple series.

• 2. Can you visit Vera’s house? No - Vera’s home in the show is filmed at a private property on Holy Island, Northumberland, not in Durham. However, many filming locations such as Seaham Harbour, Durham Cathedral, and Beamish Museum are open to the public.

• 3. What makes Durham a popular filming location for Vera? Durham offers a mix of dramatic coastline, historic towns, and moorland scenery, making it versatile for both urban and rural crime scenes. Its landscapes help create the show’s trademark brooding atmosphere.

• 4. How do I plan a Vera trail in Durham? A great route is: Morning: Start at Seaham and Blast Beach, or walk along the coast to Blackhall Rocks and Easington. Afternoon: Explore Beamish Museum. Evening: Finish in Durham City for history and riverside views.

Pro tip: Pair your Vera trail with a Durham staycation to explore even more TV and film locations across the county and wider North East Region.