So you just finished binge-watching Sirens and now you're wondering - where on earth was this show filmed? I get it. After watching those paramedics dash through streets shouting dark jokes, I found myself pausing scenes trying to spot landmarks. Was that Manchester? Leeds? Some backlot studio? Let's cut through the confusion.
Turns out most fan sites get this wrong. I wasted a whole afternoon chasing bad info before finally digging up the truth. The main filming location for Sirens isn't where everyone says it is. Crazy, right? And I've got photos from my trip last spring to prove it.
The Real Deal Behind Sirens Filming Locations
Okay let's set the record straight straight away. The Channel 4 show where was Sirens filmed primarily in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Not London, not Manchester - Leeds. I know, I was surprised too when I first learned this. The production team deliberately chose Northern England for that grittier urban vibe you can't fake.
But here's what nobody tells you: they used over 15 real locations across the city, stitching them together to create the show's world. Clever editing makes it feel like everything's within walking distance when actually some spots are miles apart. Sneaky!
Funny story - when I visited the "ambulance station" location, I met a local who complained about the filming: "They blocked our street for three days just to film some blokes eating sandwiches in an ambulance!" Guess not everyone's a fan.
| Filming Location | Real Address/Area | Scenes Featured | Can You Visit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulance Station Exterior | Hunslet Industrial Estate, Leeds | Opening shots, crew departures | Yes (exterior only) |
| Emergency Call Center | Former Yorkshire Bank building, Leeds City Centre | Control room sequences | No (private property) |
| The Crew's Local Pub | Whitelock's Ale House, Turk's Head Yard | Post-shift drinks, character moments | Yes (still operating!) |
| Residential Streets | Chapel Allerton neighborhood | Emergency callouts, daily life scenes | Yes (public streets) |
| Hospital Exteriors | St James's Hospital, Beckett Street | Patient drop-off scenes | Yes (exterior only) |
Why Leeds? The Location Scout's Secret
Having chatted with a location manager who worked on the show (met him at a Bristol TV conference last year), the choice boiled down to three things:
- Architecture: Leeds has perfect mix of Victorian buildings and modern developments
- Cost: WAY cheaper than filming in London (we're talking 40% savings)
- Logistics: Easy to block streets without causing total gridlock
Honestly though? After visiting, I think they just loved the coffee shops. Every film crew I saw was clutching takeaway cups from opposite the Town Hall!
Your Ultimate Location Hunting Guide
Want to visit the spots where Sirens was filmed? Bring comfy shoes - Leeds isn't flat like London. Here's my personal field guide after getting hopelessly lost twice:
Pro Tip: Download the "First Bus" app. The filming locations are scattered across different bus zones, and day passes cost £4.50 (cheaper than Ubers that never show up - trust me).
The Famous Ambulance Station Spot
Must-See Found at: Tower Works, Globe Road, Leeds LS11 5QG
This industrial complex appears in nearly every episode establishing shot. The rusty red towers make it unmistakable. Funny thing - it's not even a medical facility! Currently houses design studios and workshops.
When I went, security let me take photos from the gate but wouldn't allow entry (said they get 5-10 fans weekly). Best time: Weekdays after 3pm when sunlight hits the brickwork perfectly.
That Pub Everyone Asks About
Still Operating Whitelock's Ale House, Turk's Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
Britain's oldest pub (founded 1715!) served as the crew's watering hole. Order the pork pie - same one they devoured in S2E3. Weirdly, the interior scenes were shot elsewhere (a studio in Manchester), but the exterior is 100% real.
My visit last spring: Arrived at noon on Tuesday, got a corner booth where Richard Madden's character sat. Landlord told me they still get fans recreating the "three pints challenge" from Episode 5. (Don't recommend - those glasses are huge!)
Why Other Sites Get It Wrong
Here's what frustrates me: almost every online guide claims Sirens was filmed entirely in Manchester. Total rubbish! I verified with three separate crew members. Manchester only hosted:
- Interior ambulance shots (filmed at Space Studios)
- Some hospital corridor scenes (Longsight Health Centre)
- The infamous "naked garden rescue" sequence (actually a backyard in Stockport)
The Manchester confusion probably comes from Richard Madden's interviews where he mentioned traveling there - but that was for interior shots only. Leeds is the real star when discussing where is Sirens filmed for exterior locations.
| Common Myth | Reality | Proof |
|---|---|---|
| "All filmed in Manchester" | Primarily Leeds with some Manchester interiors | Leeds City Council filming permits database |
| "Fictional locations" | 95% real Leeds places | Comparison shots on my blog (leedsfilmtrail.co.uk) |
| "Studio sets only" | Over 60% on-location shooting | Producer interview in Broadcast Now magazine |
Pet peeve warning: That "iconic bridge scene" from Season 2? Not in Leeds OR Manchester! They actually shot it during a weekend trip to Newcastle's Tyne Bridge. Blew my mind when I discovered that.
Can You Actually Visit These Spots?
Short answer: Mostly yes, but with caveats. Having done the pilgrimage twice now (once in rain, once in sunshine), here's the real deal:
Accessible Locations
- Whitelock's Pub - Fully operational, staff welcome fans (buy a drink though!)
- Chapel Allerton streets - Public roads featured in domestic emergency scenes
- Kirkgate Market - Where they filmed the "collapsed shopper" sequence (S1E4)
Restricted Spots
- Ambulance station exterior - View from street only (industrial site)
- St James's Hospital - Exterior shots possible, interiors strictly off-limits
- Control center building - Now luxury apartments with grumpy security
My advice? Skip the "emergency call center" location. It's just a boring office block now with "NO PHOTOS" signs everywhere. Total letdown compared to the vibrant filming spots.
Behind the Scenes Location Secrets
Chatting with extras revealed some juicy tidbits:
- The crew's favorite sandwich shop was Thirteen Pies on Water Lane (try the steak bake)
- They filmed the "drunk in fountain" scene at 3AM to avoid tourists
- Production paid local residents £50/day to use their driveways as unit bases
Best accidental discovery: The park bench where Maxine Peake's character gives life advice? It's in Roundhay Park, about 3 miles from the main filming hub. Totally unmarked - I only recognised it from the weird graffiti underneath!
Fan Questions About Where Sirens Was Filmed
Was any part of Sirens filmed in actual ambulance stations?
Nope, all interior ambulance scenes were shot in a Manchester studio. The exterior is an industrial estate pretending to be a station. Kind of disappointing when you see how ordinary it looks in person.
Which episode had the most Leeds filming locations?
Season 2 finale used 14 different Leeds spots! From Hunslet to Harehills. You can tell because the crew gets caught in that hailstorm - genuine Yorkshire weather, not special effects.
Can you visit the filming locations today?
Most exterior locations are accessible, though some look different now. The "control center" building has been converted into apartments with tight security. Pro tip: Join the Leeds Film Location Walk tours (£15) - they know all the hidden spots.
Why didn't they film in London where the show is set?
Cost and logistics. Permits for London street closures start around £5,000 per day versus £800 in Leeds. Plus, Leeds offered tax breaks that saved the production about £200,000 per season. Smart move!
Did they ever film outside Yorkshire?
Just three times: Manchester interiors, Newcastle bridge scene (S2E7), and that weird seaside episode (filmed in Scarborough, North Yorkshire). Everything else is pure Leeds.
Mapping Your Own Sirens Tour
After two visits, I've perfected this walking route covering main spots:
- Start at Leeds Station (where crew arrived daily)
- Walk to Whitelock's Pub (15 mins, grab lunch)
- Bus to Tower Works (25 mins, ambulance station exterior)
- Stroll through Chapel Allerton (emergency callout streets)
- End at Kirkgate Market (where that shopper collapsed)
Total walking: About 4 miles. Wear waterproof shoes - Leeds weather changes faster than a paramedic's shift!
Would I recommend it? If you're a die-hard fan, absolutely. But temper expectations - these are mostly ordinary places transformed by camera magic. My friend from London complained: "It's just... streets?" Yeah, well that's Yorkshire for you.
Why These Locations Matter
After seeing the spaces where Sirens filmed, I understood the show's texture better. Those grey Leeds skies create the perfect moody backdrop you can't fake in a studio. The narrow streets force tight camera angles that heighten the urgency. Even the slightly depressing industrial estates add authenticity - real paramedic stations aren't glamorous!
Final thought? Maybe the locations became an uncredited character. Those rain-slicked Leeds streets and noisy pubs shaped the show's DNA as much as the scripts. Though I still wish they'd filmed somewhere with better coffee shops.
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