The ordinary Salford riverside block that quietly became the global home of a social media reality hit while most Mancunians walk past without realising.
Where is The Circle filmed?
If you are asking where is the circle filmed, the answer is Salford in Greater Manchester. The hit Channel 4 reality series is filmed at Adelphi Wharf Phase One, a modern apartment block on the banks of the River Irwell, just outside Manchester city centre. From series two onwards, this Salford building has been the permanent base for the UK version and multiple international editions.
For viewers searching where is the circle filmed, it is not London and it is not a purpose built studio. It is a real residential development in Salford that production teams transform into a tightly controlled reality TV set.
The exact Salford filming location
The Circle UK filming location is Adelphi Wharf Phase One, part of a larger riverside development off Chapel Street in Salford. The block overlooks the River Irwell and sits between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays, within easy reach of MediaCity.
From the outside, the building looks like many other new apartment schemes that have reshaped this stretch of river over the past decade. Light brickwork, glass balconies and stepped sections facing the water give it a contemporary feel. Without the illuminated circle installed during filming, most people would not realise a major television series is being made inside.
For those still wondering where is the circle filmed, you can spot the block clearly from the Manchester side of the river. Walk along the towpath and it stands among the newer developments that now define this part of Salford’s skyline.
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Inside the Circle studio building
Although it appears seamless on screen, the building is adapted heavily for production. Each contestant lives in a separate flat, redesigned by the art department to match the colourful style viewers see on television. Neutral interiors are replaced with bold decor, themed rooms and fixed cameras covering every angle.
The Circle studio building operates with a rig system that allows producers to monitor conversations without traditional camera crews moving through the space. This setup keeps contestants isolated while maintaining constant coverage.
A nearby University of Salford building opposite Adelphi Wharf is used as the technical base. Galleries, edit suites and control rooms run around the clock during filming. That split between contestant apartments and production headquarters allows the game to remain sealed while everything stays within a compact area of Salford.
From London to Salford
The first UK series of The Circle in 2018 was filmed in Hayes in west London. After that debut run, production moved north. From series two onwards, Salford became the show’s permanent home.
Channel 4 commissioned The Circle as part of its effort to refresh reality programming and expand production beyond the capital. Working with Studio Lambert and Motion Content Group, the broadcaster consolidated later UK and international versions in the same Greater Manchester hub.
So when people ask where is the circle filmed today, the consistent answer is Salford. The same riverside block has hosted the UK, US and other editions distributed globally.
Why Salford was chosen
Several practical reasons explain why Salford became the long term base.
Greater Manchester has an established television workforce, built around MediaCity and Salford Quays. Camera operators, editors, producers and technical staff are already based in the region due to major BBC and ITV operations nearby.
Operating from a single apartment block like Adelphi Wharf keeps costs manageable compared with central London. The building can be controlled for extended filming periods without the disruption of a busy city centre location.
Manchester Airport also makes it easy to fly in contestants and crew from overseas versions while keeping them away from public attention. Local authorities are experienced in supporting film and television production, which simplifies permissions and logistics.
All of this means that when viewers type where is the circle filmed, they are uncovering a decision shaped by infrastructure, cost and Channel 4’s wider northern strategy.
How locals view the show filming there
In Salford and Manchester, the show is generally seen as another sign that major television production has shifted north. MediaCity is already a familiar presence on national screens, from news programmes to drama. The Circle adds a different kind of visibility.
Adelphi Wharf itself has not turned into a tourist hotspot. It remains a working residential block. Most days, it looks like any other riverside development, with residents coming and going as normal outside filming periods.
There is a quiet pride among many locals that a globally distributed format is anchored on the banks of the Irwell. For people who remember when most prime time television was concentrated in London, the fact that viewers across the country still ask where is the circle filmed underlines how far Greater Manchester’s media sector has come.
Behind the scenes production context
Filming typically runs for several weeks at a time. Once apartments are prepared, a dense network of fixed cameras and microphones captures every conversation. A large gallery team based in the nearby university building monitors live feeds and assembles episodes at pace.
Voiceover recording and script development happen alongside editing, allowing episodes to be turned around quickly. Because the infrastructure remains in place at Adelphi Wharf, returning series can be mounted efficiently.
The move to Salford sits within a broader timeline of broadcasters investing outside London. Channel 4’s regional expansion and the growth of MediaCity created an environment where a complex reality format could operate long term in one location.
Conclusion
So where is the circle filmed? It is filmed on a specific stretch of Salford riverbank at Adelphi Wharf Phase One, just beyond Manchester city centre. What looks on screen like an anonymous block could not be more rooted in Greater Manchester.
For locals, it is another example of how Salford and MediaCity continue to attract high profile television formats. For viewers still searching where is the circle filmed, the answer remains the same. It is here in Salford, quietly turning an ordinary riverside apartment block into one of the most recognisable settings in modern reality television.
FAQ
Where is The Circle filmed in the UK?
Where is the circle filmed? It is filmed at Adelphi Wharf Phase One in Salford, Greater Manchester, on the edge of Manchester city centre.
Was The Circle always filmed in Salford?
No. The first UK series was filmed in Hayes in west London. From series two onwards, production moved to Salford.
Can you visit The Circle building?
You can view the exterior of Adelphi Wharf from public paths along the River Irwell, but the apartments are private residences and not open for tours.
Is The Circle filmed near MediaCity?
Yes. The Salford filming location is a short drive from MediaCity and Salford Quays, where many broadcast and production facilities are based.
