Your Guide To Visiting England’s ‘House Of Guinness’ Filming Locations

“Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight is back on screen with the newest historical drama from Netflix, this time following the changes in Ireland and society following the death of the Guinness patriarch. When Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness dies in the 1860s and leaves his brewery in the hands of his four adult children, political and personal turmoil attempt to dismantle the empire as the family knows it. The series follows the four heirs – Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn) and Benjamin (Fionn O’Shea) –  as they grapple with their share of the business left to them. The eight-part series takes place in 19th-century Dublin and New York City, highlighting the societal changes, internal conflicts and the character’s dark secrets that affect the family business. 

Watching the new series might make you crave a pint of the iconic stout, and doing so while visiting the locations where the show was filmed will enhance that experience even more. We’ve created a guide of the most notable film locations from “House of Guinness,” as well as details for getting there and sights you can’t miss to appreciate the culture.

Did They Film ‘House of Guinness’ In Dublin?

Though “House of Guinness” is inspired by real-world events in Ireland, most of the filming took place in England and Wales. Modern-day Dublin looks far different than the city did in the 1860s, which is why producers opted to shoot most of the series in the North West of England. 

According to Time Out, Liverpool became the setting for Dublin and Manchester became the setting for New York. Producers worked for months before filming to ensure that the shooting locations resembled the cities in the 19th century as best as they could without compromising quality.

The Stanley Dock In Liverpool Became The Iconic Guinness Brewery

Key Scenes: All of the scenes showing action inside and around the Guinness Brewery were filmed inside of the Stanley Dock or Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse, per Discover Britain. Boiler rooms, administrative areas and factory floors were built on-site for scenes showing business meetings and factory employees at work. Even scenes showing the exterior parts of the brewery were filmed here to exemplify the extensive size of the business. 

Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early autumn is the ideal time to check out this UNESCO World Heritage site. The dock features restaurants, bars and frequent events in the summer when tourism is at its peak. 

Transportation Options: The Stanley Dock is located within walking distance to the Liverpool city center. Liverpool Lime Street is a major train station that is close to the dock and is accessible from surrounding cities. There are also numerous bus routes from and around the city center that can be utilized to access the Dock. 

The Stanley Dock in Liverpool, England, was a popular tourist attraction even before it became a “House of Guinness” filming location. Anytime the Guinness factory is featured on the screen, it’s actually the Stanley Dock or the nearby Tobacco Warehouse that’s standing in for the brewery. Scenes showing the factory floor, Edward’s office, Pneumonia Alley, the boiler room and workshops were all filmed at this site. 

The Stanley Dock is significant for being located inland rather than on the waterfront and is a favorite site among maritime history fans for its construction in the sandstone bedrock. The Dock, which was originally opened in 1848, is one of the six areas that make up the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City and is noted by UNESCO for being one of the “most complete dock systems anywhere in the world.” 

Things to Do: “House of Guinness” isn’t the first show to utilize Liverpool for creating magic on screen. Sign up for a 2.5-hour Liverpool Film Location Walking Tour to see the historical sites that have been recreated for dozens of shows and movies. The underground web of Williamson’s Tunnels is another fascinating and historical site that dates back to the 19th century. You could also decompress from your history lessons by taking a stroll through Sefton Park, a 235-acre gem located just outside of the city. 

Where to Eat: If you want to indulge in the daily catch from the nearby River Mersey, check out Cargo Seafood Restaurant. For a quick bite, stop by Stanley’s Bar & Grill or treat yourself to an elegant evening at the Titanic Restaurant, which offers waterfront views and an upscale experience.

Where to Stay: Soak up the local history by staying in a hotel built right into the area’s old warehouse. The Titanic Hotel on the Stanley Dock features 153 rooms and distinguished event spaces that call back to the region’s historic past. 

Liverpool’s St. George’s Hall Becomes The Setting For A Riot

Key Scenes: Visit Liverpool reports that the large protest scene in episode one takes place on the steps of St. George’s Hall, filling in for Dublin’s College Green. Another crowd scene with a notable arrest also takes place here in episode three, as well as part of Benjamin Guinness’ funeral procession. 

Best Time to Visit: Summer is the peak tourist season, so visiting in the spring or fall may help you avoid crowds while still enjoying mostly sunny days. 

Transportation Options: Since there is no on-site parking available, you may want to consider using a train or bus to access the site. The large Liverpool Lime Street train station is located directly across from St. George’s Hall. The Queen Square Bus Station is also only about a five-minute walk, which makes it easily accessible from surrounding cities.

St. George’s Hall is known in the United Kingdom for its notable neoclassical architecture. After first opening in 1854, the building features barrel-vaulted ceilings, a huge pipe organ and an ornately tiled floor with over 30,000 tiles in the Great Hall. It’s the outside of the building that gets the most screen time as actors gathered on its steps to exemplify the polarized political climate in Ireland at that time. Benjamin Guinness’s funeral procession also occurs partially outside the Hall. 

If you find yourself visiting Liverpool, it would be a disservice not to see the place where so many ceremonial events have taken place. Country Life notes that, although it underwent major restoration in 2007, the Hall still features notable historical and architectural value and is part of Liverpool’s William Brown Conservation Area. 

Things to Do: A guided tour of St. George’s Hall might be the best way to soak up the history and significance that this building has to offer. Hearing an organ recital played on the grand instrument is also a unique experience that is sure to create great memories. The nearby William Brown Street also features other notable landmarks and will take you right past the impressive Steble Fountain. 

Where to Eat: There’s a variety of options for dining throughout the city of Liverpool. Casa Italia offers Italian cuisine at an affordable price, while Almost Famous features juicy burgers and plenty of options for travelers of all ages. 

Where to Stay: The Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel is centrally located for all of your tourism needs. With just a 10-minute walk to the riverfront, you can see all of the historical sites of Liverpool without needing to rent a car or even buy a bus pass. Similarly, the Pullman Liverpool Hotel is right on the waterfront and features nightly entertainment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “House of Guinness“ a true story? 

“House of Guinness” is inspired by a true story and references historical events and the Guinness family. Some fictional characters and elements were added to the story to support the narrative of the show. 

Does the Guinness family still own Guinness?

In 1997, the Guinness brand merged with drinks brand Grand Metropolitan to form a new company called Diageo, per Town & Country Magazine. The Guinness family still owns a stake in Diageo, but is no longer involved with day-to-day operations or management of the company. 

Who plays Byron Hedges in “House of Guinness”?

“Game of Thrones” star Jack Gleeson plays Byron Hedges in the Netflix series about the Guinness legacy. 

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