The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is the leafy West London area which plays host to our bursting-with-creativity London Film Academy campus. We love our neighbourhood, not only because of its incredible selection of artisanal cafés, restaurants, and bars, but also because of its’ rich and ongoing cinematic history.
Unexpectedly, Hammersmith and Fulham has become a hot spot for filmmakers, drawn in by the borough’s eccentric mix of modern and traditional architecture as well as its’ beautiful green spaces. Discover our list of five famous films that we have a sneaky suspicion you didn’t know were shot in our favourite London borough!
1. The Omen’ (1976)
Image Credits © BBC One
This spine-chilling horror movie tells the story of a couple who adopt a son, only to soon start experiencing a string of suspicious murders. Parts of the film were shot in Bishop’s Park, Fulham, which is just a short walk around the corner from the LFA building! All Saint’s Church appears in the background of the terrifying scene where a priest is speared by a lightning rod during a storm!
2. Paddington’ (2014)
Image credits © StudioCanal
As the film and protagonist’s names would suggest, ‘Paddington’ is a production that lives and breathes West London. Shooting for the ‘Paddington’ production often ventured out of its’ titular location, to other spots in West London, including Greyhound Road in Hammersmith. There is also a scene shot inside London’s Natural History Museum, in Kensington.
3. Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ (1970)
Do you remember The Monty Python sketch, ‘The 127th Upper Class Twit of the Year Competition from Hurlingham Park’? Well, you may have clued onto what we’re about to tell you, this hilarious short sketch was filmed at Hurlingham Park, Fulham, in 1970. Check out the clip and see if you can recognise the park, 50 years after shooting!
4. ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (2001)
Image credits © Helkon SK/Fox Searchlight Pictures
Set in Hounslow, but shot across various locations in West London, Gurinder Chadha’s women’s football comedy tells the story of Jess, a young Londoner who dreams of making it as a professional footballer. Some of the film’s scenes were shot at the Hammersmith Club and Bhavan Centre, based in West Kensington. Can you tell us when the Bhavan cultural centre appears in the film?
5. Trainspotting’ (1996)
Image credits © Polygram Filmed Entertainment
Although largely set and shot in Edinburgh, Scotland, Danny Boyle’s cult 90s classic ‘Trainspotting’ also has a large number of scenes set and shot in London. When the newly sober protagonist Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) moves to London to work as a lettings agent, he rents a flat at 78A Talgarth Road, opposite West Kensington tube station, in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham! Can you recognise the location in the film?
Are there any other famous filming locations around our end, that you know of?
Share your expert Hammersmith and Fulham film location knowledge with us by emailing marketing@londonfilmacademy.com or sharing comments on our social media.
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