Lake District Film Studios

The facility opened for bookings in September 2026, following its launch with Tech District Cumbria on 15 September. It was created by filmmaker Ben Phoenix, whose production experience dates back to 2005 and includes operating a previous green-screen studio in Birmingham.

Studio One

The main production space is a flexible 650 sq ft studio designed for film, television, commercial and content production. Rather than providing a single empty shooting space, it offers several ready-to-use looks within the same room.

Facilities include a green-screen infinity cove, full blackout curtain space, working kitchen set and rustic reclaimed-wood background. This makes the studio suitable for work including interviews, branded content, commercials, television inserts, training films, cooking demonstrations, product content, social media campaigns and green-screen production.

Studio One can also support live streaming. Camera, lighting, sound and grip equipment can be added to a studio booking where required.

Studio Two: podcast and photography

The second studio covers approximately 450 sq ft and combines a dedicated podcast area, photography space and workshop.

The podcast setup includes three Blackmagic Cinema cameras feeding a production switcher, three Rode microphones and an acoustically treated recording area. Productions can bring their own producer or book a session with a studio producer to live-mix the programme during recording.

Live streaming is also available by arrangement.

For photography, Studio Two has six interchangeable paper backgrounds and can be used for portraits, headshots, team photography, products, packaging and e-commerce shoots.

A workshop area provides space and tools for set building, prop making and production fixes.

Green room and production office

Bookings can also make use of supporting production facilities. The green room provides somewhere for presenters, contributors, clients and crew to prepare or wait, with changing facilities, a toilet and tea and coffee facilities.

A separate production office has three desks and can be used for planning, calls, monitoring, editing and client work without taking over the shooting space.

Equipment and local crew

Lake District Film Studios can supply additional camera, lighting, sound and grip equipment. Equipment advertised by the studio includes a Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro G2, Blackmagic Cinema cameras and production switcher, Aputure and Amaran lighting, Sennheiser audio equipment and a Hauge K12 jib arm and tripod dolly.

A crewing service is also available to help productions source experienced people locally rather than bringing an entire crew into Cumbria.

Studio hire prices

Published prices at launch include Studio One at £275 for a four-hour half day or £400 for a ten-hour full day.

In Studio Two, a two-hour podcast session with the studio and equipment is advertised at £150, or £250 with a producer to live-mix the recording. Photography hire starts at £100 for two hours, with a four-hour half day at £175 and an eight-hour full day at £275.

The entire facility, including Studio One, Studio Two, green room and production office, is advertised at £600 per day.

Camera, lighting, grip and crewing packages are quoted separately. Prices can change, so check the studio website and obtain a current quote before making plans.

Location and parking

The studios are at The Clocktower, Crofton Hall, Thursby, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 6QB, just off the A595 west of Carlisle.

Lake District Film Studios describes the journey from Carlisle as approximately 15 minutes by car. Free on-site parking is available immediately outside the facility for booked clients and visitors attending an arranged walkthrough or event.

Crofton Hall also has a café on the estate, currently advertised by the studio as opening Wednesday to Sunday, together with a motorhome and caravan park. Check those businesses separately if they form part of your plans.

Can you visit Lake District Film Studios?

Not as an ordinary walk-in attraction. The studios are primarily a working production facility and spaces are hired for shoots, podcast recordings, photography and other production work.

If you are interested in seeing the facility before making a booking, the studio says walkthroughs can be arranged. Contact the team first rather than simply arriving at Crofton Hall.

The studio also plans occasional organised open events and creative-industry meetups. These have their own dates and access arrangements, so check the official events information and any booking requirements before attending.

Booking Lake District Film Studios

Studio hire should be arranged in advance. Send the team your proposed date and details of what you are producing so they can confirm availability, price and any equipment or production requirements.

Do not make a special journey to the studio without a confirmed booking, arranged walkthrough or advertised public event.