It’s been 17 years since the Metropolitan Police’s Sergeant Nicholas Angel was reassigned to Sandford in Gloucestershire and uncovered a murderous village green conspiracy. Edgar Wright’s buddy cop action comedy, ‘Hot Fuzz’ – starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost – became an instant British classic upon release. But fans of the movie might be disappointed to learn that the West Country village doesn’t actually exist.
Many locations were used for ‘Hot Fuzz’, but filming predominantly took place in the director’s hometown of Wells in Somerset – also known as the smallest city in England (if you ignore the City of London, which we will). With a population of only 12,000 (roughly 1/96th of Birmingham), Wells has held city status since the Middle Ages thanks to the awe-inspiring Wells Cathedral.
Where are the ‘Hot Fuzz’ filming locations in Wells?
While Wells Cathedral was completely eradicated from the movie (it wouldn’t be much of a village with a giant Gothic church in the middle of it), plenty of the city made it into the film – and you won’t need to be some sort of movie detective to find them, we’re got you covered…
Our first sight of Wells in the film is the exterior of The Swan Hotel when Sergeant Angel is dropped off outside in the pouring rain – it might be a good place for you to consider staying as well. Another memorable location from ‘Hot Fuzz’ is Wells’ Market Place. This is where Danny makes his infamous introduction by reversing into the fountain, as well as the iconic shoot-out in the square happens.
Other notable locations include The Crown Pub exterior, where pretty much the entire village drinks (interiors were filmed at The Royal Standard outside of London); City News, the corner shop where our leads by Cornetto’s; Wells Recreation Ground features Angel and Danny looking for a lost Swan; and St Cuthbert’s Church is home to the village fete and a gore-tastic spiked roof. Plus, you’ll recognise many streets and alleys as you wander around the city.
The breathtaking Bishop’s Palace plays a prominent role too. This is where the Neighbourhood Watch Alliance (NWA) meetings take place. To visit, it costs £17.50 for an adult, but you’ll be treated to 14 acres of tranquil gardens, an 800-year-old medieval palace and – swan! (We’re not even joking you’ll find them swimming around the moat).
What else is there to do in Wells?
Wells Cathedral is worth the trip alone. It’s home to one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country; the famous Wells Clock, the second oldest clock mechanism in Great Britain; and one of only four chained libraries in the UK – like the library out of Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose.
There’s also no getting around the fact that Wells is simply gorgeous – check out Vicar’s Close particularly – with lots of lovely cafes, restaurants and pubs, like the Michelin Guide-approved and veg-led eatery Root. Plus, a twice-weekly market for food and artisan crafts is every Wednesday and Saturday. Keep an eye on the calendar for Wells City Carnival (November 15, 2024) too.
How do I get to Wells from Birmingham?
Just beyond Bristol, it’s around a 3.5-hour drive from Birmingham to Wells with most of the journey on the M5. Alternatively, you can also take a CrossCountry train from Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temples Meads, where you can take the bus (Mendip Explorer) to Wells – this could be the quickest way too, taking less than three hours.