The Change

The Change

Produced by: Channel 4
Starring: Bridget Christie, Monica Dolan, Jim Howick, Liza Tarbuck, Omid Djalili, Susan Lynch, Paul Whitehouse

Year: 2023-2025

In 2023, the Forest of Dean took centre stage as the filming location for The Change, Channel 4’s heartfelt and sharply funny series written by and starring Bridget Christie.

The series follows Linda, a 50-year-old woman who, after receiving a menopause diagnosis, realises she needs a change. She heads off on a motorbike to reconnect with her past and finds much more than she expected deep in the forest.

The Forest of Dean’s lush woodlands, winding tracks and hidden glades provided the perfect backdrop for Linda’s journey of rediscovery. It’s not just a setting; it’s part of the story - capturing the magic, mystery and down-to-earth humour of this unforgettable series.

Bridget Christie, who has a long-standing love of the area, said:

Filming Locations You Can Visit

Much of The Change was filmed on location in the Forest of Dean, using the area's woodland, remote trails and local villages to bring Linda’s world to life.

Key filming locations include:

• The Eel Shack at Speech House Lake: Built specially for the series, the Eel Shack became one of the show’s iconic spots. Sitting on the edge of the peaceful Speech House Lake, it provided the perfect quirky, rural backdrop for Linda’s new life. While the shack itself was a set built for filming, the location remains a beautiful place to visit surrounded by woodland, walking trails and wildlife.
• Cannop Valley and nearby woodland trails: used extensively for Linda’s motorbike journeys and reflective moments in the forest.
• Local villages and hamlets: authentic settings were chosen over built sets to give the series its natural, grounded feel.
• Secluded forest glades and clearings: many of Linda’s most poignant and comic moments happen deep in the woods.

The forest’s real sense of mystery and beauty shines throughout, perfectly matching the show's themes of self-discovery, transformation and reconnecting with nature.

About the Series

The Change was praised for its witty, compassionate writing, stellar performances, and stunning use of landscape.
Blending comedy and drama, it captured a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable - much like the Forest of Dean itself.

Follow in Linda’s footsteps and explore the Forest of Dean for yourself.

Photo credit: Channel 4