From silver screen to TV series and TV adverts
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| Steed driving through the gates at P.U.R.R.R. , North Mymms Park Screen grab from http://averagerslocations.blogspot.com |
North Mymms has had its fair share of exposure in TV series and in feature films. Perhaps it's because of the proximity of the parish to the Elstree Studios, perhaps it's the mix of suitable locations, or perhaps it's both of these.
The North Mymms History Project is compiling a list of the locations in the parish that have been used for filming. This will be a continually-updated feature as we research old and new scenes filmed around the parish. If you known of any films or TV series shot in North Mymms, please let us know.
Table of Contents
- The Octagon Lodge, North Mymms Park
- The North Mymms War Memorial, Tollgate Road
- Swanland Road, Warrengate Road junction
- North Mymms House
- North Mymms Park
- St Mary's Church, North Mymms
- Old Vicarage, St Mary's Church, North Mymms
- Church Cottage, St Mary's Church, North Mymms
- Bell Lane, Bell Bar
- Brookmans Park Station
- Brookmans Park Transmitting Station, Great North Road
- Budgie Cafe, formerly Corner Cafe, Welham Green
- Swanland Road quarry, Love Lane
- Brookmans, Bradmore Green, Brookmans Park
- Oak Lodge, North Mymms Park
- Fourways Market, Welham Green
- Bullen's Green
- Colney Heath
- Blackhorse Lane, South Mimms
- Map of North Mymms film locations
- Acknowledgements
- Your comments
Researching North Mymms film locations
The following feature draws heavily on the excellent resource Avengerland, the result of three decades of work by dedicated enthusiasts, curated by Anthony McKay. The site contains a record of all the Hertfordshire locations for the filmed TV series made at the Elstree and Pinewood studios during the '50s, '60s and '70s.
Elstree seems proud of its use of Hertfordshire as a filming location. In fact the studio boasts that:
"there are a multitude of spectacular and diverse location filming opportunities within an hour’s drive of Elstree Studios. Options include film friendly market towns, stunning country houses, countryside, industrial, quintessential English villages, period buildings & streets, coastal and much more."In 2015, Hertfordshire County Council, and all the county’s district and borough councils, signed a Film Friendly Charter with Creative England at Elstree Studios, building on the county's "reputation as a first-class filming destination", and ensuring "cooperation and commitment to assist film and television production in the county".
Below are some of the film locations in North Mymms. If you know of any others, please either add a comment at the foot of this piece, use the contact form in the right-hand column of any page, or post in our Facebook group. Thanks
The Octagon Lodge, North Mymms Park
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| The Octagon Lodge, North Mymms Park, Tollgate Road - August 2018 Image by the North Mymms History Project, released under Creative Commons |
The Octagon Lodge at the main entrance to North Mymms Park has been a popular location for both TV series and feature films.
Boys Will Be Boys (1935)
In the 1935 film Boys Will Be Boys (directed by William Beaudine), the lodge and main gate to North Mymms Park were used for the entrance to Narkover, a public school.
Dr Smart-Alec (Will Hay) is a teacher in a prison who applies for the role of headmaster at Narkover. This is the first screen appearance of Hay in his famous schoolmaster role, a character created by J.B. Morton.
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Dr Smart-Alec arrives at Narkover in the film Boys Will Be Boys (1935)
Screen grab from film by North Mymms History Project
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The same stretch of road photographed in August 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Boys gather to welcome Dr Smart-Alec at Narkover - (1935)
Screen grab from film by the North Mymms History Project
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The Avengers - The Hidden Tiger (1967)
In season 5 of episode 8 of The Avengers entitled The Hidden Tiger (directed by Sidney Hayers: January 1967), Steed (Patrick Macnee) arrives at the P.U.R.R.R. HQ, and drives through the main gates, over the bridge, and up to the house past many 'No Dog' signs, Mrs Peel (Diana Rigg) arrives later to join the investigation.
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Steed arriving at P.U.R.R.R. , North Mymms Park, Tollgate Road
Screen grab by Paul & Hilary Marston
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The Professionals - Lawson's Last Stand (1981)
In episode 4 of season 5 of The Professionals, entitled Lawson’s Last Stand (directed by Ian Sharp: 1981), George Cowley (Gordon Jackson) goes to interrogate Lavinia Lawson (Helen Cherry) about her missing son on the pretext of discussing her late husband. After leaving, he parks his car by the gatehouse to radio headquarters.
The Guardians (1971)
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| Government officials arrive at the Octagon Lodge Screenshot taken from video below |
The lodge also featured in the films:
- The Horror Of Frankenstein (1970)
- Yellowbeard (1983)
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)
The North Mymms War Memorial
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| North Mymms War Memorial, Tollgate Road - August 2018 Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons |
The Avengers - Never, Never Say Die (1967)
The North Mymms War Memorial is featured in Never, Never Say Die, episode 10, season 5 of The Avengers, (directed by Robert Day: February 1967).
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Junction near North Mymms War Memorial featured in the scene - November 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) - But What A Sweet Little Room (1968)
The memorial also appears in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), episode 13, season 1 entitled But What a Sweet Little Room (directed by Roy Ward Baker: Summer 1968) when Arthur de Crecy (Mike Goodliffe) takes Jeff (Mike Pratt) in his car to Mrs Anne Fenwick's (Frances Bennett) house, passing the North Mymms War Memorial on the way.
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| The North Mymms War Memorial in 1968 Screen grab courtesy of www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk |
There is a blog dedicated to the Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) series, which has a page about the film "But What A Sweet Little Room". The image above was taken from that blog, permission pending.
Swanland Road, Warrengate Road
In the same episode, the short lane (below) between Hawkshead Lane, Warrengate Road, and Swanland Road features along the route taken by Arthur when he drives Jeff to meet Mrs Fenwick. (Spotted by Claire and Michael Saunders, 2004 and independently identified by Alan Field, September 2008).
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| Swanland Road, Warrengate Road cut through 1968 Screen grab courtesy of www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk |
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Cut through from Swanland Road to Warrengate Road - November 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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North Mymms House
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| Postcard of North Mymms House in the 1960s Image from The Peter Miller Collection |
North Mymms House and stables featured in the comedy Wedding Rehearsal (directed by Alexander Korda: 1932), and featuring Roland Young and Wendy Barry. Two scenes were shot at the front of the house and one at the stables. The film is embedded below.
The entire film is embedded below. The scenes of North Mymms House are at 34.38 and 37.02, and the stables at 58.52.
An article about the making of the film appeared on page seven of the Macleay Argus in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia on Tuesday 30 May, 1933, cutting below courtesy of The National Library of Australia.
Girls Will Be Boys (1934)
North Mymms House and gardens served as the set for Girls Will Be Boys, (directed by Marcel Varnel 1934), starring Dolly Haas and Cyril Maude.
The Baron - The Man Outside (1966)
The main house at North Mymms Park features in two episodes of The Baron. In the first, episode 28, season 1, entitled The Man Outside (directed by Roy Baker: September 1966), John Mannering, The Baron (Steve Forrest) leaves in his Jensen after calling to see if there are any Americans renting the house.
The Baron - Countdown (1966)
In the second, episode 29, season 1, entitled Countdown (directed by Robert Asher: October 1966), the Baron and Cordelia (Sue Lloyd) drive in his Jensen to Parkstone House and park at the front of the building. Arkin Morley (Edward Woodward) drives off in a Rover with Cordelia and shoots at the Baron as he leaves. The Baron follows.
The Wicked Lady (1983)
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| Screen grab from the film The Wicked Lady showing North Mymms House in the background Image by the North Mymms History Project |
North Mymms House also featured in the film The Wicked Lady (directed by Michael Winner: 1983), starring Faye Dunaway, Alan Bates, and John Gielgud.
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (2010)
The house also appeared as the home of Marina Gregg (Lindsay Duncan) in Agatha Christie's Marple season 5, episode 4, ‘The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side’ (2010, directed by Tom Shankland.
North Mymms House was also used by at least one famous film star as his temporary residence while filming locally. According to an article on page 29 of Truth, a newspaper published in Sydney Australia on Sunday 9 September 1934, Douglas Fairbanks Junior made it his home while filming “The Private Life of Don Juan” at the nearby Elstree Studios. Cutting courtesy of The National Library of Australia.
North Mymms Park
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The water tower at the site of the WWII American hospital - September 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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The Avengers - The £50,000 Breakfast - (1967)
The water tower at the site of the WWII American hospital at North Mymms Park, featured in The Avengers, season 6, episode 3, entitled The £50,000 Breakfast (directed by Robert Day: July 1967). The location was used for the site of the accident where Rhodes is killed. (Location identified by David Harris, November 2009).
Odette - (1951)
The former American hospital at North Mymms Park featured in the film Odette starring Anna Neagle, Trevor Howard, Marius Goring. The film was directed by Herbert Wilcox. The smaller hospital tower, which no longer exists, was part of the scene depicting a German prisoner of war camp.
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| The tower at the former American forces hospital at North Mymms Park Screengrab from the film Odette (1951) |
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| North Mymms Park water tower WWII US hospital 1990s Image by P.Elgar part of the Images of North Mymms Collection |
St Mary's Church, North Mymms
Page Eight - 2011
A funeral scene from the film Page Eight (2011) was shot at St Mary's Church, North Mymms. The film was directed by David Hare, and starred Bill Nighy and Rachel Weisz. The St Mary's choir was in effect extras, singing in the ringing chamber at the west end of the church
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| St Mary's Church, North Mymms - July 2018 Image by the North Mymms History Project, released under Creative Commons |
St Mary's has also been used in the BBC's Eastenders, as the final resting place for Cindy Beale (senior) in 1998 – Michelle Collins. The Church was used for the funeral scene with the burial scene taking place in the new churchyard.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby 2001
The BBC film The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) used the churchyard at St Mary's North Mymms in the opening snowy scenes with James D'Arcy playing the role of Nicholas. It was filmed in June and artificial snow was created for scenes shot by the South Door of St Mary's as well as in the driveway between the two churchyards.
Johnny English 2017
St Mary's has also been used for the film Johnny English Strikes Again (2018) starring Rowan Atkinson.
St Mary's Old Vicarage, North Mymms
The Old Vicarage at St Mary's church, North Mymms, features in a number of TV series, particularly The Avengers.
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Scene from The Avengers at the Old Vicarage, North Mymms 1967
Screen grab of film by Paul & Hilary Marston
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Scene from The Avengers at the Old Vicarage, North Mymms 1967
Screen grab of film by Paul & Hilary Marston
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The Avengers - The Hidden Tiger (1967)
In the season 5, episode 8, The Hidden Tiger (directed by Sidney Hayers: January 1967), Steed (Patrick Macnee) drives to Nesbitt (John Phillips), the big game hunter's, house (the Old Vicarage). As he draws up to the house in his green Landrover he hears a shot and enters the house.
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The Old Vicarage in the background with Steed's Bentley outside - 1967
Image by John Dineley
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The Avengers - Something Nasty In The Nursery (1967)
After talking to Nanny Roberts (Enid Lorimer) Steed leaves. Gordon (Trevor Bannister) is sent to deal with Steed when he comes snooping round the G.O.N.N a second time. Mrs Peel watches Miss Lister (Yootha Joyce) as she drives Nanny Roberts away in a Mini van. Mrs Peel then enters the house.
The Avengers - Mission ... Highly Improbable (1967)
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Susan (Jane Merrow) outside the Old Vicarage in Mission ... Highly Improbable
Screen grab of film by Paul & Hilary Marston
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The Old Vicarage at St Mary's church, North Mymms - November 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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The Old Vicarage at St Mary's church, North Mymms - August 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Church Cottage, St Mary's church, North Mymms
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Church Cottage, St Mary's, North Mymms - August 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Church Cottage, St Mary's, North Mymms - November 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Department S - The Pied Piper Of Hambledown (1968)
In the series Department S, season 1, episode 4, The Pied Piper Of Hambledown (directed by Roy Ward Baker: Summer 1968), Jason King (Peter Wyngarde) calls in at a house near the churchyard (Church Cottage) while investigating the disappearances of the inhabitants of Hambledown.
Bell Lane, Bell Bar
Last Holiday (1950)
Bell Bar was the location for a scene from Last Holiday (1950, directed by Henry Cass), starring Alec Guiness.
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Bell Lane, Bell Bar, pictured in 1950 in Last Holiday
Screen grab taken from the film courtesy of the Peter Miller Collection
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Bell Lane, Bell Bar, pictured in 1950 in Last Holiday
Screen grab taken from the film courtesy of the Peter Miller Collection
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| A postcard of Bell Bar village from 1917, looking north along Bell Lane Image courtesy of Mill Green Museum, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
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| The same shot of Bell Lane, Bell Bar, taken in October 2018 Image by the North Mymms History Project, released under Creative Commons |
Brookmans Park Station
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| Screen grab from film showing Molotov arriving at Brookmans Park station - 1942 Image courtes of the Imperial War Museum |
"A record of the visit of Vyacheslav Molotov, Peoples' Commissar for Foreign Affairs, to the United Kingdom and the signing of the Anglo-Soviet Treaty, May 1942.
"Anthony Eden is seen chatting to Maisky in a compartment of the train. Coming into shot are (apart from the official entourage and members of the London Embassy staff) Molotov, Cadogan, Major-General Isayev and Alexander Bogomolov (the Soviet Ambassador to the Allied Governments).
"On the platform of Brookmans Park Station, the Class A4 locomotive Number 4495 'Golden Fleece' arrives. Seen waiting on the platform are Cadogan and Lieutenant General Nye.
"The first scene is viewed through the carriage window following which the group (which includes Rear-Admiral Kharlamov and Colonel Skliarov) leave the train and make their way out of the station to the waiting cars."When viewing the film below, look out for Golden Fleece arriving at Brookmans Park station (1'02"), Molotov on the platform (2'30"), the group walking up the ramp past the ticket office (3'38"), and departing in cars heading north up Station Road (4'45").
We have more information about this event in a piece on this site entitled Top secret WWII Russian visit to Brookmans Park 1942.
Brookmans Park Transmitting Station
The Avengers - Super Secret Cypher Snatch (1977)
The Brookmans Park Transmitting Station on the Great North Road, was an ideal location for a 1977 episode of The Avengers. According to plot, secrets are leaking out of Cipher HQ like a sieve, but all of the employees insist that everything has been "perfectly normal." However, The Avengers find a link between the stolen information and a window cleaning service.
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Scene from Super Secret Cypher Snatch, Brookmans Park Transmitting Station 1977
Screen grab of film by Paul & Hilary Marston |
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| Scene from Super Secret Cypher Snatch, Brookmans Park Transmitting Station 1977 Screen grab of film by Paul & Hilary Marston |
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| Scene from Super Secret Cypher Snatch, Brookmans Park Transmitting Station 1977 Screen grab of film by Paul & Hilary Marston |
The front entrance to the site was used in season 7, episode 3 entitled Super Secret Cypher Snatch (directed by John Hough: 1977), starring Patrick Macnee as Steed, and Linda Thorson as Tara King.
Budgie Cafe, formerly Corner Cafe, Welham Green
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Postcard of the Corner Cafe, Dixons Hill Road - 1970s
Image from the Peter Miller Collection
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Scenes from the TV series Budgie, staring Adam Faith as petty crook 'Budgie' Bird, were filmed at the Corner Cafe, Dixons Hill Road, Welham Green. The cafe became known as the Budgie Cafe. The film was created by Willis Hall and Keith Waterhouse.
Return Of The Saint - The Diplomat's Daughter (1978)
The Corner Cafe featured in an episode of Return Of The Saint in episode 24, season, 1, entitled The Diplomat's Daughter (directed by Charles Crichton: 1978). In the scene, Marie de la Garde (Lynn Dalby) arrives at the Budgie Restaurant in Simon Templar’s (Ian Ogilvy) Jaguar.
Shriver (Karl Held) is already there, waiting for the car. Simon arrives on his motorbike, ST2, and waits for Shriver. After dealing with Shriver he has to deal with Mike (Weston Gavin) before the police arrive. (Identified by Chris Wright, December 2005).
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The Corner Cafe from the new A1(M) flyover - November 1978
Image by Ron Kingdon from the Images of North Mymms collection
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Never Too Young To Rock (1976)
The Corner Cafe was also used in the film Never Too Young To Rock (directed by Dennis Abey: 1976),
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| Newspaper cutting from the Welwyn and Hatfield Times November 15, 1974 Cutting from the Peter Miller Collection |
Swanland Road quarry
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| Ordnance Survey 25-inch map of Hertfordshire published in 1936 Image courtesy of the National Library of Scotland, released under Creative Commons |
The Protectors - Shadbolt (1973)
A quarry alongside the A1(M) just off Swanland Road and since backfilled, was the location for a scene in The Protectors, season 2, episode 22, entitled Shadbolt (directed by John Hough: 1973).
Editor's note: The quarry mentioned was probably one of two old chalk quarries to the west of the A1(M) alongside Love Lane, now a BOAT (byway open to all traffic - #NM004). See OS map above.
After jumping from the train, Shadbolt (Tom Bell) follows Harry Rule (Robert Vaughn) to a deserted quarry where a game of cat and mouse ensues. Shadbolt attempts to crush Harry when he takes shelter in a cabin, but Harry escapes and is eventually victorious. The police and an ambulance arrive to take Shadbolt away. (Spotted by Alan Field, June 2008)
The Professionals - Slush Fund (1979)
The location was also used in season 4, episode 9 of The Professionals entitled Slush Fund (directed by William Brayne: 1979) starring Gordon Jackson as George Cowley and Martin Shaw as Doyle.
Brookmans, Bradmore Green, Brookmans Park
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Brookmans side room, Bradmore Green, Brookmans Park - November 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Journey To The Unknown - The New People (1968)
The room to the left of Brookmans, formerly the Brookmans Park Hotel, was used as a location in the TV series Journey To The Unknown, series 1, episode 1, entitled The New People (directed by Peter Sasdy: 1968).
In the episode, Hank Prentiss (Robert Reed) meets Matt Dystal (Milo O'Shea) for the first time at the local off-licence. (Identified by Geoff Dodd, December 2008)
Go Compare (2009)
An advert for the website Go Compare featured the dining room at Brookmans, Bradmore Green in 2009.
Oak Lodge, North Mymms Park
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Oak Lodge, North Mymms Park is episode 6, series 3 of Unforgotten
Screen grab by the North Mymms History Project
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Unforgotten - Season 3, Episode 6
Oak Lodge was filmed for a scene from the ITV drama Unforgotten series 3, final episode 6, 22 minutes into the programme. First broadcast Sunday 19 August, 2018. Starring Nicola Walker as DCI Cassie Stuart, and Sanjeev Bhaskhar as DS Sunil 'Sunny' Khan.
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Oak Lodge, North Mymms Park
Image by the North Mymms History Project, released under Creative Commons
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Fourways Market, Welham Green
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| TV advert being shot at the car showrooms on Dixons Hill Road - 1970s Image from the NMLHS, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
BorgWarner TV advert - 1970s
The shopping parade at the corner of Dellsome Lane and Dixons Hill Road, known as Fourways Market, was the location for a TV advertising shoot. The car showrooms were converted into a pub call The Mitre. The advert was for BorgWarner gearboxes.
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| TV advert being shot at the car showrooms on Dixons Hill Road - 1970s Image from the NMLHS, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
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| TV advert being shot at the car showrooms on Dixons Hill Road - 1970s Image from the NMLHS, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
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| TV advert being shot at the car showrooms on Dixons Hill Road - 1970s Image from the NMLHS, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
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| TV advert being shot at the car showrooms on Dixons Hill Road - 1970s Image from the NMLHS, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
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| TV advert being shot at the car showrooms on Dixons Hill Road - 1970s Image from the NMLHS, part of the Images of North Mymms collection |
Johnny English Strikes Again - (2018)
A scene from the Rowan Atkinson film, Johnny English Strikes Again (director David Kerr: 2018) was filmed outside the shops on Dellsome Lane, Welham Green.
Bullen's Green
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| Screen grab from the car scene in A Clockwork Orange The owner of this video has disabled the embed option |
The scene in A Clockwork Orange where they drive down a country lane and under a lorry was shot along Bullen's Green Lane. Described on Wikivisually as: "The Menacing Cars scene where the Durango '95 drives under the lorry trailer was shot by Colney Heath on Bullen's Green Lane at the crossroads of Fellowes Lane, Hertfordshire."
A Clockwork Orange was directed by Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) and starred Malcolm McDowell as Alex, Patrick Magee as Mr Alexander, and Michael Bates as the chief guard. This clip of the driving scene (on YouTube) is produced with rear screen projection until the incident with the lorry after 40 seconds. Two screen grabs above and below.
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| Screen grab of Bullen's Green Lane at the crossroads of Fellowes Lane The owner of this video has disabled the embed option |
Colney Heath
Motor Pirates 1906
We end with the oldest film in this feature. It was shot in Colney Heath in the early 1900s, (when Colney Heath was part of North Mymms).
The film is called The Motor Pirates, and was directed by Arthur Melbourne-Cooper from St Albans. The Colney Heath scene is at 6' 13" into the video (embedded below) if you want to jump forward.
In the scene you will see the ford at Colney Heath alongside Coursers Road. We have a postcard the 1900s showing the same spot.
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| Postcard of Colney Heath in the 1900s Image courtesy of the Peter Miller Collection |
Blackhorse Lane, South Mimms
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Black Horse Lane, South Mimms - November 2018
Image by the North Mymms History Project released under Creative Commons
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Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) - The House on Haunted Hill (1969)
We've included this one shoot outside the parish of North Mymms because it's along a quiet lane just south of North Mymms Park in South Mimms. The location featured in episode 9, season 1 of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), entitled The House on Haunted Hill (directed by Ray Austin: April 1969). Jeff (Mike Pratt) and Marty (Kenneth Cope) leave the Merston Manor in the Vauxhall at the end of the episode. (Identified by Rhett Burns, 1st October 4, 2012)
Map of North Mymms filming locations
Below is an interactive map with all the North Mymms film locations marked.
Acknowledgments
This site would like to thank Anthony McKay of Avengerland, Paul & Hilary Marston, and John Dineley for their research and images which have been used in the production of this feature. We would also like to thank Martin Ferdinando the churchwarden at St Mary's Church, North Mymms for his information about location filming at the church.
Comments and information welcome
If you have anything to add to this feature, or just want to add your comments, please use the comment box below.
