Film fans and history lovers can now step directly into the world of William Shakespeare thanks to a picturesque Midlands village. The award-winning movie Hamnet, which recently launched in UK cinemas, used the historic setting of Weobley in Herefordshire as a key filming location.
A Tudor Village Transformed into a Film Set
In the summer of 2024, Hollywood descended on this small, black-and-white village, bringing a cast and crew of 300 to shoot the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel. The story focuses on Shakespeare and the tragic death of his young son. It’s easy to see why filmmakers chose Weobley; its perfectly preserved timber-framed buildings, cruck cottages, and Wealden houses offer an authentic Tudor backdrop.
Visitors can now follow a dedicated walking trail to see specific film spots. These include locations where Paul Mescal (Shakespeare) and Jessie Buckley (Anne/Agnes) embraced with their children, and where Agnes walked with her brother, played by Joe Alwyn.
How to Experience Shakespeare's World
To help tourists explore, Visit Herefordshire has created a 'Through Tudor Landscapes' pocket guide. This downloadable resource maps out the county’s cinematic hotspots from the film. It also suggests where to stay in authentic Tudor accommodation and highlights immersive activities like hedgerow medicine workshops, falconry, and traditional leather craft.
The village itself continues to celebrate its starring role. Weobley Library hosts a 'Hamnet Behind the Scenes’ photography exhibition. Other notable landmarks include the remains of a castle and a church with a towering 185-foot spire.
A Buzz for Local Business and Beautiful Walks
The film has generated significant interest, giving a welcome boost to local businesses. One beneficiary is The Wobbly Badger café, which opened in December 2025. Owner Hannah Richards expressed her surprise at the rapid interest, noting that the door next to her café was used as Agnes’s front door in the film. She reported visits from national newspapers and news crews, creating a real buzz in the village.
Other recommended places to eat in Weobley include The Green Bean cafe, The Unicorn pub, Ye Olde Salutation Inn, and Jules Restaurant. For those wanting to explore further, a walk to Burton Hill offers peaceful fields, hilltop forests, and discoveries like an Elizabethan manor and a 13th-century fort.
The successful filming was supported by the newly formed Herefordshire Film Office, which helped secure stunning backdrops including the River Wye. Weobley is also a key part of the Herefordshire Black and White Village Trail, a self-drive tour taking in Pembridge, Eardisland, and other picturesque settlements.
The journey from Birmingham to Weobley takes approximately 90 minutes, traffic permitting, via the M5 and A44 roads – making it an ideal day trip for a unique blend of cinematic history and classic English countryside.
