Summerwater filming locations: All the stunning places that appear in C4 drama and if you can really holiday there
You'll be struck by the beauty of the scenerySummerwater displays some truly incredible filming locations which viewers of the Channel 4 drama may fancy visiting.
Based on the hit novel of the same name by Sarah Moss, the six-part drama tells the story of the simmering tensions between holidaymakers that erupt into a devastating finale. From the very first scenes we know there’s a fire and that someone dies. But it’s not clear who or what causes the horrific blaze.
Summerwater is set mainly at a remote loch-side Scottish holiday cabin park of the same name. Ironically, everyone seems to be having a terrible holiday but it does look lovely!
So what filming locations did the cast and crew use in Summerwater on Channel 4? Is it a real place where you can go on holiday? And can you visit that nice cafe? Read on to find out…
Where is Summerwater set? Is it a real place?
Just like the novel, Summerwater is set at a beautiful holiday park by a Scottish loch. Exactly where the holidaymakers are isn’t ever said during the series.
However, author Sarah Moss explained that the book was inspired by a trip she made to Loch Lomond. She subsequently set the book there. But, in reality, there’s no actual place called Summerwater.
Sarah said: “The novel came about autobiographically. It’s set on the shores of Loch Lomond, which is one of few places I’ve returned to throughout a generally peripatetic life.
“I realised a few years ago that my kids had never seen it and there were some lodges down the road that I’d always noticed and had my eye on because if you stay there, you’re already at the base of all the hiking routes.”
She added: “We rented one of the cabins and we were extremely good at wrestling victory from the jaws of defeat as it rained hard all week without stopping at all, even at night. I became really fascinated by not so much the relationships between the people staying within the cabins, but the complete absence of relationships between the people staying in the various cabins.
“They all had big French windows looking over the lake which made those spaces simultaneously an auditorium theatre because as you moved around you could usually see in.”
Was Summerwater filmed in Loch Lomond?
Yes, Summerwater was mainly shot in and around Loch Lomond, a lake in southern Scotland. It’s roughly 22 miles long and about five miles wide. Loch Lomond is just under 30 miles away from Glasgow.
When you watch pivotal scenes by Loch Summerwater in the series, you’re actually looking at Loch Lomond.
The cast and crew loved filming in Scotland. Valene Kane, who plays one of the holidaymakers Justine, especially enjoyed it.
She said: “Shooting in Scotland was amazing because I’m a Celt, so it was very nice being with my Celtic tribe! It was very cold, but we shot in the most beautiful locations. We shot in Loch Lomond, and the terrain and landscapes were simply beautiful.”
The show’s executive producer Mike Ellen believes it was important to film at Loch Lomond rather than somewhere similar. He said: “Regarding the heart and soul of the show, it was important to shoot it, to all intents and purposes, where it was set and where it was written. [We used] a predominantly Scottish crew and predominantly Scottish creative leadership.”
Summerwater filming locations: Can you stay at the cabins?
Yes you can stay at the cabins featured in the Channel 4 drama! The Summerwater cabin exteriors are in fact the Benview Holiday Lodges. The holiday homes are just outside Stirling and not far from Loch Lomond.
The holiday park boasts six lodges, which is similar to the number in Summerwater. But the real lodges sound more glam than the ones in the Channel 4 drama.
Each one has its own hot tub which you can enjoy while taking in the magnificent views. The official website said: “Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Benview Holiday Lodges offer a serene getaway just 15 miles from Glasgow.”
Some of the scenes in Summerwater were also shot at another real life holiday destination. The Sallochy campsite was used for some of the forest and water scenes. It’s situated on the Eastern Shores of Loch Lomond.
Where was David and Annie’s cafe scene shot?
One of the key couples in the story is David (Dougray Scott) and Annie (Shirley Henderson).
They share a pivotal scene in a cafe where David becomes incredibly frustrated with Annie. It lead us to wonder if David might be responsible for the Summerwater fire. The fascinating scene was shot in the Benview Garden Centre, which is near Loch Lomond.
As the scene unfolds you can’t help be struck by the beautiful backdrop. So if you’re ever in the area it could well be worth a visit!
Talking about his co-star, Dougray said: “I love Shirley Henderson; she’s possibly my favourite actor ever to work with. David and Annie have been married for a very long time (since their early 20s), and in the past they have had a troubled relationship, their story is very much a love story.”
Summerwater filming locations include Glasgow
Besides Loch Lomond, the other key filming location was in and around Glasgow. Parts of Glasgow’s East End were shut while the cast and crew shot scenes.
David and Annie live in the north of Glasgow. Throughout the series we see flashbacks of the couple living together. Glenrothes-born Dougray says it was a joy to get to shoot scenes in Glasgow.
He commented: “I love working at home. It gives me a chance to see family, and friends. I love Glasgow, as I spent a lot of time there growing up as a boy. I always went to school on the east coast, but my parents are both from Glasgow so I have an emotional affinity with the city that makes me feel good when I return.”
Not all of the cast were familiar with the city. Valene Kane, who plays Justine, said that shooting Summerwater was the first time she’d been to Glasgow. “I love when you get to shoot in a new city, and you get to explore.”
Alina, played by Anna Próchniak, is another character in the drama who has lived in Glasgow. Anna explained: “She is an artist by nature. She graduated from art school in Glasgow and worked as a photographer for several years until the universe had a different plan for her and she ended up here in Summerwater.”
What other places appear in the series?
A further location used was North Ballochruin Farm, which is near Loch Lomond. Indeed, Scottish First Minister John Swinney visited during filming there to encourage filmmaking in Scotland.
John Swinney said before his Summerwater visit: “Scotland boasts an incredibly innovative and creative film and television sector that continues to go from strength to strength.
“The creative industries are a vital asset to Scotland’s economy and we want to continue to support the sector to unlock its full potential.”
Motherwell Civic Centre was used for flashback scenes in episode 2. At times during the drama we see an abandoned Bothy, a type of basic shelter, in the woods. The Bothy used is on the Ardgowan Estate in Greenock.
Read more: Trespasses on Channel 4: All the exceptional filming locations
