‘The Hairdresser Mysteries’ Filming Locations and the Real English Market Town Behind It

BBC One has cultivated a loyal following for its gentle, close-knit crime dramas, and ‘The Hairdresser Mysteries’ is the latest addition to this charming genre. Set in the 1970s, the series features Sally Phillips as Lily Petal, an upscale city hairdresser who leaves her competitive career to run a small salon in a tranquil village, only to become embroiled in the secrets her clients share while in her chair.

The fictional village of Blossom Vale is depicted as a sleepy northern market town brimming with gossip, history, and the occasional mystery. However, the show was not filmed in northern England; instead, the real locations that represent Blossom Vale tell a fascinating story of their own.

Filming took place primarily across the West Midlands during September and October of 2025, with Alcester in Warwickshire serving as the core of the show’s visual appeal. Locals enjoyed a front-row view of the production, which lasted about nine weeks, as reported by the Stratford Herald.

One of the most notable locations featured in the series is Church House on Butter Street in Alcester, which was transformed into Lily’s 70s-style hairdressing salon. In reality, this historic 15th-century building serves as the administrative center for St Nicholas Church and Alcester Minster, creating a striking contrast to its role as a bustling village salon.

Alcester’s high street also plays a significant role, appearing in the opening moments of the show as Lily drives into her new hometown. The production utilized several other locations around the historic town, giving Blossom Vale a genuine small-town feel, despite being filmed hundreds of miles away from its fictional setting.

Filming also extended to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon, Wellesbourne, and other areas of Worcestershire, further enhancing the West Midlands backdrop of the production. A particularly memorable location was a private residence in Oversley Green, which was converted into a filming set after the production team approached the homeowners directly.

The decision to film in this region was part of a broader initiative by the BBC to invest in productions in the West Midlands. This commitment stems from a memorandum of understanding between the broadcaster and the West Midlands Combined Authority, aimed at creating more jobs and industry opportunities in the area.

This regional investment has already benefited other productions, such as ‘Shakespeare & Hathaway,’ which also utilized nearby locations like the Chateau Impney Hotel and Exhibition Centre in Worcestershire. For a region not typically associated with major television productions, this choice signifies a shift in where British broadcasters are looking to create their next cosy crime series.

With ‘The Hairdresser Mysteries’ now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer and airing weekly on BBC One, fans wishing to experience Blossom Vale in real life should start their journey in Alcester rather than searching for a hidden village up north. Have you noticed any of these real West Midlands locations while watching the show? Would you like to visit Alcester yourself? Let us know in the comments.