Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in the fictional Northumberland & City Police area of North East England, but all filming took place on real locations throughout Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and North Yorkshire. Fictional place names in the scripts, such as Bentham and Mardle, were mapped onto real towns, Hexham and Alnmouth respectively, so the scenery viewers see is genuinely the region the stories evoke.
The Studio Side
The series was produced by ITV Studios and Silverprint Pictures, with a production base around Killingworth and Wallsend in North Tyneside. This base is not open to visitors. The interior of Vera's cottage was built as a studio set replica in North Tyneside rather than filmed inside the real farmhouse on Holy Island.
Tours That Visit These Locations
Guided tours cover the main filming sites, from shared full-day trips across Northumberland to private half-day options focused on Newcastle and private coastal itineraries. Prices vary considerably depending on group size and length, so the choice mostly comes down to how much ground to cover and whether a private guide matters.
Shared Full-Day Northumberland Trip
Vera Tour of Northumberland TV Locations
Rated 4.9 from 89 reviews, this shared tour of Northumberland TV locations suits travellers who want the headline sites without the cost of a private guide.
★ 4.9 out of 5 · 89 reviews
Full-Day Filming Locations Tour
Northumberland: Full-Day Tour of Vera Filming Locations
A full-day tour of Vera filming locations at 119.16 USD per person, with 77 reviews, covering the wider Northumberland trail in one outing.
★ 4.7 out of 5 · 77 reviews
Private Half-Day, Newcastle Area
Private Half Day Vera Tour of Newcastle TV Locations
A private half-day format centered on Newcastle TV locations, rated 4.7 from 50 reviews, for fans short on time or based in the city.
★ 4.7 out of 5 · 50 reviews
Private Half-Day From Newcastle
Newcastle: Private Vera Half Day TV Locations Tour
A private half-day tour from Newcastle priced at 1297.52 USD, rated 4.6 from 41 reviews, offering a dedicated guide and flexible pacing for a small party.
★ 4.6 out of 5 · 41 reviews
Private Coastal Tour, From Newcastle
From Newcastle to Vera’s World: A Private Coastal Tour
The most extensive option: a private coastal tour from Newcastle at 2924.2 USD, designed for travellers who want the coastline, including its remoter filming spots, in depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vera's house in real life?
Vera's cottage exterior is a private farmhouse on the Snook peninsula of Holy Island in Northumberland. The interiors were built as a studio set replica in North Tyneside. The house is a private residence on a nature reserve, so view it from public paths or the road, and remember Holy Island is tidal, so check causeway tide times.
Which town played Bentham in Vera?
Hexham in Northumberland doubled as the fictional town of Bentham in series 13, with its market place and abbey featured prominently. The market town is open to visitors and the abbey is accessible.
Is Alnmouth a Vera filming location?
Yes. Alnmouth was transformed into the fictional village of Mardle, with a jetty and sheds added for filming, and its beach and estuary appeared on screen. The village sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is easy to reach by road.
Can you visit the Vera filming locations without a tour?
Most of them, yes. Locations such as Hexham, Alnmouth, Amble, Whitley Bay, Redcar and South Shields are fully public, and Bamburgh's dunes and beach are free (the castle charges entry). The main considerations are driving distances in rural Northumberland and tide times at Holy Island and St Mary's Lighthouse.
How many series of Vera were made?
The series ran for 14 series and 56 episodes from 2011 until its conclusion in January 2025. It is based on novels by Ann Cleeves, who also created the Shetland series.
What was filmed at Redcar?
Redcar's seafront and esplanade featured in later series, including chip shop scenes in the finale. The seafront is public and open year round.
The Vera trail is really a tour of the North East itself: tidal islands, castle dunes, working harbours and market towns that happen to double as crime scenes. Travellers with a car can cover most locations independently over two or three days, while the guided options above condense the highlights into a single outing. Wherever the route leads, check tide times before Holy Island or St Mary's Lighthouse, and remember the farmhouse on the Snook is someone's home.
