On Tuesday 15 September, Lake District Film Studios officially opened its doors at Crofton Hall, near Carlisle. Filmmakers, crew, photographers, podcasters and people from right across Cumbria’s creative and tech community filled Studio One for an evening of conversation, a podcast launch and a proper look around the place. We believe it is the county’s first dedicated film and television studio, and it was brilliant to finally share it with you.
Thank you
First, a huge thank you to everyone who came. To the creatives who gave up a Tuesday evening to be here, whether you shoot, write, edit, crew, perform or are just starting out: this place exists for you, and the energy in the room was exactly what we hoped for.
Thank you to Cumberland Council, and in particular Anna Lyttle, Culture, Outreach and Partnerships Lead, and Andrew Allison, who leads on the council’s new film office, for joining us and hearing directly from local filmmakers. Having the council in the room for that conversation meant a great deal.
Thank you to our panellists, Lyndsey Walker, Stuart Armstrong and Chris Armstrong, for their honesty and insight, and to our partners at Tech District Cumbria and Graham Hadaway for launching their new podcast with us.
The conversation in the room
The evening opened with a panel of three Carlisle-based filmmakers:
- Lyndsey Walker, writer, director and producer, a director of Where Poppies Grow Ltd, and currently line producer and 1st AD on the feature Pendragon
- Stuart Armstrong, writer-director of the Cumbria-set comedy short Meat Raffle, now streaming on Channel 4
- Chris Armstrong, Director of Photography and Producer, who recently collaborated with Stuart on the short Leavers’ Day (2027)
Discussion centred on two practical barriers facing Cumbria’s creative sector: a lack of infrastructure to support larger productions, and local talent moving away to find work. The studio was discussed as a first step toward tackling both, giving productions a reason to base themselves in the county and giving local crew a reason to stay. Training came up as just as vital to growing the next generation of crew, and it is something we plan to help make happen here. By the end of the night, the mood in the room was hopeful.
“Cumbria is attracting large productions short term due to our fantastic external locations but lacks the industry infrastructure and creative networks to persuade film companies to fully base their productions in the region. Facilities such as the Lake District Film Studios are essential to attract productions to the county and should be championed and promoted by the Cumberland Film Office and local authorities.”
Lyndsey Walker
“There are so many local untold stories. It feels like we’re at the genesis of a truly Cumbrian filmmaking scene, and the skills to make it happen are coming home.”
Chris Armstrong
A new podcast for Tech District Cumbria
Next, Graham Hadaway launched The Edge State, Tech District Cumbria’s new podcast, produced here in Studio Two on our three-camera podcast set. The show talks to businesses around Cumbria and beyond about how they use technology and where it is heading. Follow Tech District Cumbria to catch the first episodes.
Tours, food and a full studio
Then the talking turned informal. Guests toured both studios, from the green screen infinity cove and kitchen set in Studio One to the podcast and photography spaces in Studio Two, and carried the conversation on over food and drink well into the evening.
In the press
We were delighted to see the launch picked up by ITV News, across the county and in the trade press. Thank you to everyone who covered it:
- ITV News: Cumbria’s first dedicated film studios opens (video)
- TVBEurope: Lake District Film Studios opens in Cumbria
- Further&Better: Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup (via TVBEurope)
- News & Star: Cumbria’s first film and TV studio launched near Carlisle
- Whitehaven News: Cumbria’s first film and TV studio launched near Carlisle
- Times & Star: Cumbria’s first film and TV studio launched near Carlisle
- In Cumbria: Cumbria’s first film and TV studio launched near Carlisle
- Cumbria Crack: Lights, camera, Cumbria: New film and TV studio to open near Carlisle
- Love Carlisle on Facebook: A huge night for Cumbria’s creative and film scene
Love Carlisle summed it up perfectly: “The creative sector across Cumbria is buzzing, and tonight proved just how much talent and ambition we have right on our doorstep.”
You can find all of our coverage, plus quick facts for journalists, on our Press page.
Next up: Creative Cumbria Meetup
The launch was the start of the conversation, not the end of it. We are now hosting a Creative Cumbria Meetup at the studio every two months, open to all of the region’s creatives, not just filmmakers. Networking and connections matter as much as infrastructure and training when it comes to building an industry, so come along, meet people and bring your ideas. There will be an informal open floor to pitch your project, too.
- When: Thursday 29 October 2026, 5:30pm to 8:00pm
- Where: The Clocktower, Crofton Hall, Thursby, Carlisle, CA5 6QB
- Cost: Free, with food and drink provided
- Parking: Free, on site