Overview

This page is a work in progress

All photos used are for reference purposes.  Most are taken by me.  No infringement of copyright is intended.

Motherland was filmed in Vancouver and the surrounding areas.  Many of these are easy to visit. 

Some are open to the public and free, such as Riverview (Fort Salem), some are public places, such as The Vault Restaurant, others are public, but have an entrance fee, such as Fort Langley.  Some are private.  In some cases it might be possible for you to arrange a visit, but please respect private spaces and their owners.

Downtown Vancouver

There are a few filming locations in Downtown Vancouver. 

Vancouver Public Library, The Orpheum Theatre, Plaza of Nations, The Permanent Building, Gabriola Mansion.

For addresses and further information, go to Downtown page

Fort Salem

Fort Salem is actually Riverview Hospital.  It is a public park, freely open to the public.  It has free car parking and a good bus service. 

Very nearby are two more filming locations, Veterans Park and Matteo’s Gelato in Port Coquitlam.  Both of these locations were in episodes 2.06 and 2.09.

For addresses and further information, go to Fort Salem page.

North Vancouver

There are two particular filming locations in North Vancouver.  The beach scene from episode 1.06 was filmed at Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver. The lighthouse is not actually there, but was added digitally afterwards.

The Delusional cottage from episode 2.08 was filmed in two places.  The interior scenes were filmed in North Vancouver at Caretaker’s Cottage in Murdo Frazer Park. The Caretaker’s Cottage is a popular filming location.

For addresses and further information, go to Fort Salem page.

Burnaby

Motherland was filmed at Vancouver Film Studios in Burnaby.  They do not run tours of the studio. 

There are some other filming locations in Burnaby.  The best for visiting is Burnaby Arts Centre and the gardens there.  The rescue of Scylla in 3.08 was filmed at Windermere school.  Some of Citydrop 1.08 was filmed at Youth Custody Services Centre in Burnaby.  But this has been extensively demolished and rebuilt, so there is nothing to see there. 

For addresses and further information, go to Burnaby page.

Surrey / Cloverdale / Langley

The Surrey / Cloverdale / Langley area has a number of filming locations.  The Vault Restaurant  was used extensively in filming episode 1.02 and is well worth a visit.  While you are there, why not get a meal and a drink.  Friendly place and people and good parking.  Near there is Cloverhill Market which was a location for episode 3.01

Fort Langley was Gallows Hill, the site of the pageant in episode 1.02 and one of the area’s primary historical sites.  It is paid entrance, but well worth a visit in its own right. 

Not far away from there is the Camarilla Headquarters from episode 2.07 .

In the area, is Copperstone Mansion which was the location for the double wedding in episode 3.09.  There is also Panther Paintball, where the exterior of the cabin from episode 2.08 was filmed.  Both of these are private property. 

For addresses and further information, go to Surrey / Cloverdale / Langley page.

Vancouver and the University of British Columbia lands

I am not sure of the correct local terminology for this area.  I am generally referring to the land west of Queen Elizabeth Park, including the University Endowment Lands.  I am sure there is a correct local name, so if anyone is able to help me out on this, please contact me. 

There are several locations of interest in this area.

Van Dusen Botanic Gardens and Alder Street are good places to start.  Then move to the University of British Columbia lands.  There is a public car park there and a good bus service.  Filming locations there include the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and Cecil Green Park House as well as the Rose Garden outside the Chan Centre. 

Nearby the University is Casa Mia, the High Atlantic Estate (site of Bellweather wedding) from episode 1.05.  As well as Hycroft Manor, which is now the headquarters of the University Womens’ Club.  Also in the area is Shannon Mews , which Switches would know better as the site of the Bellweather mansion

For addresses and further information, go to the  Vancouver and the University of British Columbia lands page

Further afield

There are two locations that are both a bit further away from Downtown Vancouver, but both are well worth visiting. 

Ladner’s Sundance pub in Ladner, south of Richmond was a major Talder location from episode 3.03.  It was the bar where the Talder reunion happened as well as the reunion with Khalida, Tally’s dance scene and Those Nachos.

In the opposite direction is Camp Howdy in Belcarra, which is north of the River.  Camp Howdy was a major location in episode 3.07.  The Council of the Great River met here as well as the Scylla / Tally mission and the return of Raelle.  If you want to go there, please contact the owners first, there are times when it is open to the public