Cosgrove Hall Film Archive

The Cosgrove Hall Film Archive is a celebration and preservation of one of the UK’s most beloved animation studios, now based in Sale, Greater Manchester. Once the creative heart of British children’s television, Cosgrove Hall Films was founded in 1976 in Chorlton-cum-Hardy by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall and went on to become the country’s largest animation house, producing iconic series such as Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, Chorlton and the Wheelies, Postman Pat, The Wind in the Willows and adaptations of The BFG and Truckers.

Since 2017, Waterside in Sale has been the custodian of the studio’s original production materials — hand-drawn cels, puppets, storyboards, props and sets — which might otherwise have been lost. These treasures provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at both hand-drawn and stop-motion animation and the creative process that brought so many beloved characters to life.

In January 2026 a new, permanent gallery dedicated to the archive opened inside the refurbished Sale Library, giving the public free access to this remarkable collection. Visitors can see original artwork and models, learn about the studio’s history, and explore the craftsmanship that shaped decades of animated storytelling — making it both a cultural heritage site and a nostalgic trip for fans of British animation.