sherlock – Movie Locations

Battersea Power Station – UK

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The largest brick build building in Europe, this Grade II listed “power station” can be seen in many films and tv shows. Constructed in the 1930’s but closed down in 1983, this iconic building was very suitable for a mystery in “Sherlock” (tv show), many episodes of the Original pre 2005 “Doctor Who” (which was recorded in and around London at that time). But also Hitchcock’s “Sabotage” was filmed here as well as “The Meaning of Life” from the Python boys.

Pink Floyd photographed here for the cover of “Animals” with a large inflateable pink pig. The pig broke loose and got in the flyway of Heathrows planes. This produced much publicity for Pink Floyd and the Power Station.

The Station has been bought by a Malaysian company in 2012 and has been turned into appartments. In 2020 a tube station with the same name will be opened nearby. Also in the “new” Battersea Power Station, there is room for many offices, Apple has a space here as well.

Iconic as this building is, it is sure to turn up in many other productions….

The Reform Club – London

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This Victorian establishment, founded in 1836, has been used in many films. Interior and exterior can be seen in “Sherlock Holmes” (2009) (as Cafe Royal), but also “The Avengers (1998)”, “1408” (2007), “Die Another Day” (2002), “The Invisible Woman” (2013), “Quantum of Solace” (2008), “The Bounty” (1984).

Go and check it out.

Sherlock Holmes (2009) – London

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The Art Deco building called “Freemason’s Hall” can be seen in the 2009 version of Sherlock Holmes. It is a memorial to the people who were killed during WWI. In the film it has been used in the scene where Blackwood reappears before the order.

The building is open to visitors.

Sherlock Holmes (2009) – London

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The Grade One listed Industrial building from Victorian times, Crossness Pumping Station, was used in the 2009 version of Sherlock Holmes. Blackwood enters the sewers through this building. It is open to visitors and the building is known for its spectacular cast ironworks.

Doctor Who – Fields House

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Maybe the most scary location of all “Doctor Who” episodes is the one where we first meet the Weeping Angels. A “haunted house” like location where Sally is introduced to the Timelord and statues that come to life. At the time of filming (and some time after that), the house was creepy and very useful for the production of this episode.

After 2010 however, the house was sold and renovated. Not much is left of the creepy building seen in “Blink” (the “Doctor Who” episode). But the crew returned to film the Christmas special “The Snowmen” here. Less scary, still snowmen coming to life is no picknick….

It seemed they could do better, as they did in 2016, when they returned yet again to film “Knock, Knock” (S10, E04), aired in may 2017. The building ate young students who rented the rooms… creaky floorboards… flickering lights… yes, this house is still very scary…..

And the fun part, you too can stay here, check out this link to airbnb….

Not only was this location used for “Doctor Who”. Also “Sherlock” was filmed here after the renovation.

The current owners liked the modifications the crew made to the bedroom, which was used for Irene Adlers room, so much, they left the wallpaper.

In 2020, the property came up for sale again for approx. €2 mln. Check out the website: https://www.mrandmrsclarke.com/property/the-fields-manor-fields-park-residences/

Sherlock Holmes (2009) – Liverpool

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For the 2009 version of Sherlock Holmes (with Robert “Iron Man” Downey Jr.), the crew went all over the UK to film at the most beautifull locations. While a lot was filmed in Manchester, the scenes at the dock (an explosion) and some scenes at Regent Road where they set off to see Blackwood are recorded at Liverpool. CGI was added to enhance the scene.

In 2011, “Captain America, The First Avenger” also used these docks.

Doctor Who – Cardiff – Temple of Peace

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The “Temple of Peace” in Cardiff, Wales, has been used for several “Doctor Who” episodes (as well as Sherlock, since both are being recorded in Wales). Close to the BBC Wales studios

On September 18 and 19 2007, the crew used the Temple for the episode “The Fires of Pompeii”. Exteriors were actualy filmed in Italy, but for the location where the Sisterhood worships the Pyrovile creature, a closer location to the studio was chosen.

It was a familiar location, since the crew used the Temple beginning of October 2004. “The end of the World” also used interiors recorded at the Temple of Peace. The conference halls were transformed into “Platform 1”, an alien spaceship 5 billion years into the future.

In 2006, another episode on “Platform 1” was written, so the crew returned to the Temple in September to film the scenes. But the Temple did not just stand in for the Platform, it also was used as the Hospital where “The Face of Boe” passed away (New New York).

Doctor Strange – Nepal

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On april 25, 2015, Kathmandu was hit by a giant earthquake. A little while after this tragedy, the crew for “Doctor Strange” (2016) arrived for their film. Although major temples were damaged by the quake, they still can be seen in this movie (CGI restauration?).

One of the bridges leading to the temple of Kasthamandap can also be seen in the film.

Central Patan Durbar Square, also damaged by the earthquake, Thamel and New Road have some scenes with Cumberbatch.

Other scenes were filmed in Hong Kong, London and New York.

Sherlock – St Bartholomew’s Hospital

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True to Doyle’s original story, Sherlock and Watson first meet at St. Bart’s. The original hospital (exterior!) was used for the series (now that’s a nice change, usually, it is something completely different). Interiors were filmed in Cardiff.

The oldest standing hospital in the UK can be found at West Smithfield near Giltspur and was used not only for the pilot but for later episodes as well.

Sherlock – Camden

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For the popular BBC TV -show “Sherlock”, location throughout London were used. The most famous of them mus be “221b Baker Street”. The entrance is in fact in Camden at North Gower Street, flat 187.

Right next door is “Ms. Hudson’s Snax” as seen in season one. The actual name of the cafe is Speedy’s cafe. Both exteriors and interior (season two) were used for the show.