Where was 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple filmed? Here are the filming locations for the post-apocalyptic sequel

Picking up directly following the events of 28 Years Later, director Nia DaCosta turns the world created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland in 28 Days Later on its head.

READ OUR REVIEW — 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple fully embraces its bizarro British heritage

At the end of the Boyle-directed 28 Years Later, young survivor Spike has just been rescued by Jimmy Crystal and his gang of “Jimmies”. Played by Jack O’Connell, Crystal is the Scottish leader of an outlaw religious cult which leaves Spike trapped in a nightmare he can’t escape. Elsewhere, Ralph Fiennes reprises his role as Dr. Kelson, who is on the verge of a potentially life-changing discovery.

The fourth overall entry to the 28 Days Later franchise, and the second in an expected trilogy, production on The Bone Temple began just weeks after the completion of the previous film, with many familiar locations also appearing.

Including some locations from the prologue of 28 Years Later, where we meet young Jimmy for the first time, here’s where 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was filmed.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple filming locations

With the characters at the heart of The Bone Temple roaming the wastelands of Britain, memorable locations such as Holy Island have played a large role in the 28 Years Later films.

Entirely shot on location, The Bone Temple was primarily filmed in and around the North East of England, including in and around Northumberland, fairly close to the Scottish Borders.

Redmire, North Yorkshire

Likely the location most are interested in knowing more about, the titular Bone Temple was constructed, again, in the village of Redmire, North Yorkshire.

Designed by Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl, who were inspired by inspired by the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, the temple was constructed over six months using 250,000 individual replica bones and 5,500 skulls.

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, North Yorkshire

In addition, Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway was used to film scenes involving the abandoned and infected filled train in The Bone Temple.

Chopwell Wood, Gateshead

With the characters of The Bone Temple often traversing the land, some of the forest scenes are said to have been shot at Chopwell Wood in Gateshead.

Plankey Mill, Northumberland

Used by the Jimmies, Plankey Mill Farm in Northumberland also appears in The Bone Temple.

Rothbury, Northumberland

Filming is also said to have taken place in the town of Rothbury, Northumberland, as well as the surrounding area.

Former Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Bradford

In Bradford, the former Richard Dunn Sports Centre was used to shoot the film’s opening. It shut its doors permanently in 2019, but was granted listed status in 2022, with the premises given a makeover for the film.

Ennerdale, Cumbria

While filming The Bone Temple, Ennerdale in Cumbria was among the first locations to cause a stir, with 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy spotted on set.

Reprising his role as Jim for The Bone Temple, the Oscar-winning actor was spotted filming at Bowness Cottage in Ennerdale, with Ennerdale Water also appearing.

Sign up to The Scotsman's arts and culture newsletter for all of the latest news and reviews directly to your inbox

What about 28 Years Later?

As for where 28 Years Later was filmed, notable locations include:

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

The end of 28 Years Later was filmed at Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, which is where the Jimmies and Spike first meet.

Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Northumberland

When we first meet Spike he is living with his family on Holy Island - or Lindisfarne - in Northumberland. The real island appears in the film, however Osea Island in Essex stands in during some of the shots of the Lindisfarne Causeway.

Culbin Sands and Forest, Moray

As for the mainland opposite the island, these scenes were actually shot in Moray, at Culbin Sands and Forest.

Church of St Mary & St Finnan, Glenfinnan

In the opening sequence of 28 Years Later, we meet young Jimmy who is with his family when the Rage Virus outbreak begins. He runs from his home, which is believed to have been shot somewhere near Rothbury though Jimmy is from the Highlands, to the church where his local minister father succumbs to the infected.

The exterior of the church is said to be the Church of St Mary & St Finnan in Glenfinnan, while the interior was played by another church in North Yorkshire.