Behind the Scenes: House of Guinness Transforms Croxteth and St George’s Hall

Posted on November 5, 2025

Liverpool’s most historic halls stepped into the spotlight as major filming locations for the highly anticipated House of Guinness series.

Scenes to Spot from House of Guinness at Croxteth Hall:

With its grand interiors and versatile outdoor spaces, Croxteth Hall was transformed into multiple locations for the series.

• Interior as Iveagh House: Grand Staircase, Corridors, Arthur’s Bedroom, Birthing Room
• Interior as Other Locations: Hope Street Bedroom, Probate Office, Temple Bar
• Exterior: Iveagh House façade, Jude’s Tavern

 

Scenes to Spot from House of Guinness at St George’s Hall: 

St George’s Hall provided the perfect backdrop for some of the series’ most dramatic and emotionally charged scenes, adding grandeur and authenticity to the storytelling.

• Benjamin Guinness Funeral Procession
• The Great Hall
• Prison Cells and Corridors
• Courtroom

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We spoke to Croxteth Hall Manager Tracey Hewlett about her experiences during the filming:

1. Did the venues require any structural or layout changes to accommodate the filming design and flow?

Yes, quite a few! The exterior of Croxteth Hall was transformed into a street scene, which involved building fences, laying new paving, and redesigning the ground layout. We removed benches and planters to make space. Inside, both Halls were redecorated with set pieces like paintings, statues, and furniture. Some items—like custom curtains and pelmets—were so well made we were allowed to keep them. A huge chandelier was rigged above the staircase in Croxteth Hall. The cellar was turned into a pub with a false wall and door—it looked incredible.

2. How did you manage the balance between preserving the historical integrity of the venues and meeting their creative needs?

Everything was carefully planned. We had ongoing discussions with the location manager, set designers, and our facilities team. Any changes or removals were risk assessed, and all artwork was handled by specialists to ensure it was safely stored and reinstated. The goal was always to protect the Hall’s heritage while supporting the creative vision.

3. Were there any unique requests from the Guinness team that required special permissions?

Yes—one of the most memorable was the molotov cocktail explosion scene in the pub (Croxteth Hall cellar). That required stunt coordination, fire engines on site, and close involvement from our facilities management team. It was a big moment and needed careful planning.

4. How closely did you work with the Guinness team/agency during the planning phase?

Very closely! The Guinness team ran everything by us. It was a real collaboration, and we built a strong working relationship. We’d love to have them back for future series or other projects.

5. What were the biggest logistical challenges in preparing the venues for the House of Guinness filming?

The biggest challenge was the scale of the shoot—House of Guinness used almost every part of Croxteth Hall, inside and out. The production team needed full access, so we had to pause all other events for several weeks. The staircase at Croxteth is identical to the one in Iveagh House, which made it a key location. Our team worked closely with the location managers and designers to make sure the director’s vision could be realised without compromising the Hall’s heritage. During filming, office staff at St George’s Hall also worked from different locations, when able to do so, to ensure the production could run smoothly with minimal disruption.

6. How far in advance did filming begin?

Filming ran from July 24 to September 24 at Croxteth Hall and October 24 to November 24 at St George’s Hall. Set design started about three weeks before the cameras rolled, so the team was on-site well in advance to prepare everything.

7. Did hosting this space for filming open up new opportunities or partnerships for the venues?

We hope so! We built great relationships with the location managers and set designers, and they gave us fantastic feedback. Croxteth Hall is ideal for filming—not just because of the building itself, but because the surrounding park offers space for rigs and trucks without needing city traffic management. Park visitors were fascinated by the whole process.

 

CREDIT: James Norton Instagram