The film was primarily shot in Ireland, although the story takes place in a fictional English town called Sanctuary. This supernatural drama is adapted from the bestseller by V.V. James, set in a modern world where witchcraft is a real part of everyday life. The plot centers on Sarah Fenn, a local witch who offers unconventional solutions to the townspeople's problems; the role is played by Elaine Cassidy. The creators skillfully used Irish locations to depict the English setting, combining aerial shots of the real English town of Lynton in Devon with ground-level filming in counties Wicklow, Dublin, and Cork. The series returned for a second season, continuing to use the same mix of picturesque Irish estates, historic buildings, and dramatic mountain landscapes to bring the fictional world of Sanctuary to life. Notable filming locations include majestic Edwardian and Elizabethan mansions, a neo-Gothic church, the Wicklow Mountains, and various Dublin landmarks standing in for London.

Filming Locations:

Enniskerry Village, County Wicklow

In the Film

Scene where the town square of Sanctuary with the clock tower and several other important street scenes were filmed: the village convincingly played the role of a cozy English center with period architecture and meeting places for residents.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a charming village in County Wicklow, Ireland, near the famous Powerscourt Estate and Gardens, at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. The village center features a recognizable triangular square with a clock tower monument, surrounded by green countryside. Thanks to its photogenic streets and proximity to beautiful mountain landscapes, many projects have been filmed here, including Vikings and Into the Badlands.

Lynton, Exmoor National Park

In the Film

Scene where aerial shots of the fictional town of Sanctuary were captured: from above, Victorian roofs are seen tightly set into the rugged Exmoor landscape, establishing the visual identity of the series' English location.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a picturesque Victorian town in Exmoor National Park, North Devon, England. Lynton is known for its neat architecture and beautiful views: it sits on steep cliffs and is connected to the coastal village of Lynmouth below by a unique water-powered funicular railway. Visitors have long come here for panoramas of the Bristol Channel and surrounding heather moorlands.

St. Columba's College, Whitechurch

In the Film

Scene where the Sanctuary high school scenes were filmed: the historic college with its stone buildings and traditional structures served as the educational institution where characters attend classes and important plot events unfold.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at an independent boarding and day school in Whitechurch, Dublin, founded in 1843 and affiliated with the Church of Ireland. The college occupies a spacious campus with historic stone buildings set among mature green grounds at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. Its expressive architecture and long academic history make it a notable and atmospheric location, often used by film and TV projects seeking a traditional school setting.