Spotlight on havering
London Borough of Havering
Havering is here, and ready to welcome filmmakers!
The London Borough of Havering lies in the east of Greater London, bordering Essex. Mainly comprised of vibrant suburban neighbourhoods, it also boasts large areas of protected open green space. The main communities are the riverside town of Rainham, thriving suburbs Hornchurch and Upminster, and the beating heart of the borough Romford.
Havering has had a rich recent history on screen, and one continuously being written. Andrea Arnold shot in a variety of urban and rural locations in the borough for her 2009 film ‘Fish Tank’. A number of popular TV productions have chosen Havering too, including ‘Humans’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Top Boy’, ‘The Only Way is Essex’, and BBC’s ‘Springwatch’. It is also a popular borough for advertising campaigns, for brands like M&S and McDonald’s.
With a range of versatile locations on offer, Havering is a film-friendly borough and an area on the rise, offering a flexible and affordable alternative to the inner-city. Let’s take a closer look at just some of what we have to offer filmmakers:
Top Five Havering Locations Available Now
Royal Jubilee Court is a site of vacant flats just 5 minutes from the centre of Romford. Previously used as a care home, there are a number of individual rooms, flats, communal living areas, kitchens, bathrooms and communal gardens, all vacant and available for filming. It is the perfect double for a care home or any domestic living space, and the Mock Tudor main building could easily pass for a country house. There is also ample parking available on site.
Just a short distance from Romford town centre, the Waterloo Road / Queen Street Site is a 4.29-hectare, empty expanse of land available for set builds, unit base parking and anything else you can think of. We’re considering any and all ideas for meanwhile use of this space, but move quickly! The site is scheduled for redevelopment beginning in June.
Langtons House is a Grade II listed, 18th century building set in beautiful, landscaped gardens. It is host to many weddings year-round, but with enough notice filming and photography are possibilities too. The house features grand rooms, ornate staircases, a lake, gazebo and bath house, plus an Orangery and Gardens laid out by the acclaimed landscaper Humphrey Repton. There is also parking available on-site.
Havering Town Hall is a striking 1930s building in the art-deco / moderne style, great for exteriors and interiors, working well as a government building or doubling up for many other types of locations – police stations, hospitals, banks and much more! The Town Hall is available for filming at weekends or evenings. There is also plenty of scope for using the exterior of the grey brutalist wing. Inside the Town Hall there is an impressive council chamber perfect for courtroom scenes or embassy meetings. There are also a number of other wood-panelled meeting rooms, a more modern extension wing and even a basement vault / records room.
Upminster Cemetery is the largest in the borough and in 2017 was named Large Cemetery of the Year. The grounds feature winding pathways through impeccably-maintained gardens with a beautiful lake at the rear. The older section of the cemetery features traditional gravestones and a small Victorian chapel. With an experienced, film-friendly team on hand to assist with any requirements, it is the perfect choice for any graveside scenes. Additionally, the site houses South Essex Crematorium, a large modern building in a 1950s style. It contains two chapels and the crematorium itself, which could easily double as a morgue or laboratory.
Area in Focus: Romford
Romford Market and Town Centre
Romford is a bustling town that remains an excellent place for filming. At its heart is the historic Romford Market, where the cries of market traders can still be heard all around. The market runs Wednesdays, Fridays and over the weekend, but the large site can also serve as a parking facility on non-market days.
The Town Centre and High Street, with its pedestrianised areas and shops, is also an accommodating location for productions and crew – whether through on-street filming or facilitation requests.
Romford Market Place Car Park
There are a range of different options for parking surrounding the town centre. Romford Market Place car park is a large multi-storey that can be used for parking or filming equally, with some far-reaching vistas from the rooftop.
Romford Central Library
Romford Central Library is a modern and spacious brutalist building with large windows, office spaces and meeting rooms. Originally built in 1965, the library underwent a multi-million pound external and internal refurbishment in 2011.
Havering is a Traffic Management Friendly Borough
Havering is perfectly suited for temporary traffic controls, whatever the scale and style of filming. From complex shoots requiring full closures, to driving shoots that need short holds, the borough offers a flexible and efficient approach to every request. Productions with big asks and exciting ideas are strongly recommended to consider Havering as a destination to help achieve your brief. A recent example would be the large road closures put in place in the historic town centre of Rainham for the BBC adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (see above).
Streets in Havering
Residential streets, main roads, countryside lanes, shopping districts, industrial roads and US-style suburbia – Havering really has it all! As one of the largest London boroughs, there are a host of locations that can suit a varied brief, all in close proximity to each other, and all within the M25! M&S used one of the many lovely suburban streets as a backdrop to the dance number in their famous Christmas jumper advert (see above).
Parks
Havering’s parks are steeped in history and the wide-spanning open spaces are easily accessible. With the third largest amount of green space of all London boroughs, Havering is a perfect choice for productions looking for a walk on the wild side.
Havering Country Park
Photo: Ron Levy
Havering Country Park is formerly part of the medieval Royal Palace of Havering. It is a beautiful park which covers over 160 acres of land. The landscape moves from large clearings to dense woodland, and the avenue of giant redwood trees form the largest plantation in the whole country! Perfect as a double for an American forest, the location possesses a magical atmosphere totally unique within the M25.
Hornchurch Country Park
Hornchurch Country Park is a former RAF base with a rich heritage from the First & Second World Wars, including remnants of its military past like pillboxes and sunken ‘Tett’ gun turrets. The park offers large open fields, marshland, lakes and wildlife aplenty.
Raphael Park
Raphael Park, at 44 acres, is one of the borough’s flagship parks, offering a range of features including tennis courts, sports pitches, an ornamental garden and bandstand, lake and water feature, a café/restaurant and a children’s play area.
For further information or to see more images please contact info@haveringfilmoffice.co.uk, or give the team a call on 020 7620 0391.
Other blogs
Looking back on 100 years of laughter, frights, inspiring sights and heart-pounding adventures, we are so proud to have played even a small part in it.
The successful filming of "Everything Now" in Islington is a testament to the borough's reputation as a film-friendly location. The borough has a rich cinematic history, and it's no wonder why it continues to be a magnet for filmmakers.
We will miss Top Boy, it was a wonderful series, which launched many fruitful careers, both in front and behind the camera.
Ensuring a suitable and efficient setup for parking technical vehicles is no small feat in a city as dynamic as London.
Amongst the wide range of squares, markets and housing estates that Islington offers, we also have numerous locations that work perfectly for ‘City’ briefs.
The Kingsway Tram Tunnel, with its intriguing history and captivating ambiance, has recently become the backdrop for some of the most notable film and television productions.
Take a punt with some of the new locations that we have recently added to our locations library.
London's iconic Sekforde Street recently played host to the thrilling TV spy series, 'A Spy Amongst Friends.' The location turned out to be a star in its own right, providing the ideal backdrop for a successful and visually captivating shoot.
Fully controllable multi-site hospitals are hard to find. However, look no further than Cambridgeshire Hospital - which features empty wards, corridors, exteriors and roads.
Camden is a borough known for its vibrant culture, music scene, and eclectic mix of architectural styles. Within this bustling neighbourhood stand two hidden gems of Brutalist architecture, the Whittington Estate and the Maiden Lane Estate.
In the heart of London's bustling Islington borough lies the iconic Bevin Court housing estate—a place steeped in history and timeless architectural beauty.
Camden, a vibrant central London borough, offers filmmakers a treasure trove of picturesque green spaces that make for ideal filming locations.
With a diverse range of architectural styles, Islington has an array of wonderful squares that continue to attract TV & Film productions.
FilmFixer is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Strawberry Hill House & Garden in south-west London. Ready to accept features and HETV immediately, Strawberry Hill is a perfect location to facilitate shoots of all sizes.
Amidst the bustling markets and trendy boutiques, there exists a hidden gem that transports you back in time
The world-renowned Jonas Brothers recently visited the quaint St John Square in Islington to shoot their latest music video, 'Waffle House.'
Camden is home to an eclectic mix of markets scattered all across the borough. We are here to get you better acquainted with each of these brilliant locations. From striking urban locations to bustling trading areas, our markets offer a range of options to suit your creative vision.
Fans of the hit Netflix series "You" were in for a treat today as Season 4 Part 2 dropped on the streaming platform. The enigmatic Joe Goldberg, portrayed by Penn Badgley, returns with a new identity and a new city to obsess over - London. Get ready for the big reveal!
Usher's "On My Way" music video, a stunning roller skating extravaganza, is a collaboration between the artist and New York’s iconic Flippers Roller Boogie Palace.
Mainly comprised of vibrant suburban neighbourhoods, the London Borough of Havering boasts large areas of green space.
Are you in need of an exciting new series to binge-watch this weekend? Look no further! The brand new Apple TV drama series, "Liaison," hit our screens on Friday, the 24th February, and it's poised to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Lovely pictures from Russell Square Gardens and The Friends of Russell Square.
SetReady Training is offering the opportunity to learn crucial skills for working on film and TV sets – no experience necessary!
The Power, starring Toni Collette, is a ten-episode global thriller based on author Naomi Alderman’s award-winning sci-fi novel of the same name.
FilmFixer London boroughs feature in series 2 of Sky’s hit ‘I Hate Suzie’ with Billie Piper.
A real treat tonight – Miriam Margoyles discovers the true meaning of Christmas in a Channel4 production, #MiriamsDickensianChristmas.
Look out for Filmfixer London boroughs in Paramount+’s ‘Flatshare’. Filming in Camden featured the park at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, while in the borough of Southwark a bus stop scene was filmed in Bellenden Road, complete with fake bus stop.
FilmFixer boroughs across London were used for the new ITVX drama ‘Riches’.
Lee Park Way is a London location gem. You get a 1.2 km private, rural road that is fully-controllable.
FilmFixer London boroughs across the capital feature in many of the scenes In Treason, Netflix’s highly-anticipated new MI6 spy thriller, and is perfect for a post- Christmas Day binge.
Islington, Camden and Haringey feature in A Spy Among Friends, ITV’s new British espionage thriller series, starring Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis.
Christmas is coming! This year’s McDonald’s Christmas advert, directed by Oscar-winner Tom Hooper, was filmed at the Peabody Cumberland Market Estate.
This Audible trailer with Jack Whitehall was filmed in St Lukes Mews in the FilmFixer Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
`Everything I Know About Love’ is currently streaming on iPlayer, and is based on Dolly Alderton’s best-selling memoir of the same name.
Martins Hill Open Space, in the FilmFixer borough of Bromley, features in the latest Tesco Mobile ad for 'The Supermarket Mobile', which features a runaway shopping trolley.
Lee Valley’s Myddelton House and Gardens stars alongside Tilda Swinton for a cover photo shoot for Harper’s Bazaar Australia and New Zealand.
The power of transformation is alive and well in Great James Street, in the FilmFixer London Borough of Camden as it was transformed into a busy 19th century street for Enola Holmes 2.
SetReady, the film training and work placement project supported by FilmFixer, will host a special reception at this year’s FOCUS show, giving an opportunity for location managers to meet trainees that have taken part in the programme.
FilmFixer locations across London feature in series five of The Crown.
Foots Cray Meadows, in the FilmFixer London borough of Bexley, features throughout the video for the re-release of Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful.
‘The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself’ is a fantasy epic based on a young adult series of novels from Sally Green.
Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse’s contribution to the BBC’s centenary is a spoof documentary about the corporation’s history.
At FilmFixer, we were excited to see Rylan Clark-Neal on location for the shoot for the latest Cinch ad.
Andor, is an American science-fiction action television series currently streaming on Disney+ and is part of the Star Wars franchise.
If you didn’t happen to know, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare might be the biggest incoming entertainment launch of 2022.
Set against the backdrop of South London and humming with the energy of music from The Chiffons, Tina Turner, The Shangri-Las and more.
Sign up to a two-day course with ‘SetReady’ that will help you take your first steps into television production and onto set!
SetReady, the film training project supported by FilmFixer, is delighted to announce that we will be at the Focus Production Show, hosting a special Reception event on Tuesday 6th December from 5.30pm – 6.30pm at the Gallery Bay upstairs.
Stranger Things star Millie Bobbie Brown is back to reprise her role as Sherlock’s feisty kid sister in Enola Homes 2.
See How They Run is Searchlight Pictures’ new comedy mystery written by Mark Chapell and directed by Tom George.
ITV drama The Suspect follows the story of renowned clinical psychologist, Joe O’Loughlin, played by Poldark’s brooding heartthrob Aidan Turner.
It’s the show you love to hate – and it’s back early next year. Series four of ‘You’ on Netflix sees Joe Goldberg (aka Professsor Jonathan Moore), the brooding sociopath with the rom com good looks, relocate to London.
I Used To Be Famous, currently streaming on Netflix, follows the story of Vince, a former boy band member who has now fallen on hard times, and Stevie, an autistic young man who is a talented drummer.
It’s been called Marvel’s answer to James Bond and Secret Invasion will see Samuel L Jackson reprise his role as Nick Fury when Disney Plus’s new series premieres on our screens in Spring 2023.
Set Ready attempts to help trainees, develop key soft skills around language, hierarchy, planning, confidence, etiquette and communication.
The video for British indie crooners Alt-J’s track Hard Drive Gold was shot in the FilmFixer London borough of Bromley.
I Came By’ is the new thriller currently streaming on Netflix, and boasts a gripping plot and star-studded cast, with Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville leading the cast, alongside Kelly Macdonald and George Mackay.
Mainly comprised of vibrant suburban neighbourhoods, the London Borough of Havering boasts large areas of green space.
Don’t miss the return of the tech conspiracy thriller, ‘The Capture’ on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Holliday Grainger will reprise her role as DCI Rachel Carey.
Have you always wanted to work in TV and film production but don’t have the experience, industry contacts or qualifications?
Welcome to the third report from The Generator Project. This year has seen a steady increase in the number of people using the app since the time of our launch.
Currently airing on Channel 4 ‘Worst House on The Street’ helps families transform run-down houses into dream homes, without breaking the bank and with the help from brother and sister property developers Scarlette and Stuart Douglas.
The popular Channel 4 series ‘Hunted’ sees ordinary people attempt to go off grid and evade an expert team of ex-military, police and and security specialist.
Another shout out to Camden Film Office with these behind-the-scenes images of the new ‘Two Door Cinema Club’ music video. ‘Lucky’.
Camden is at the heart of this recent spot for Runners Need, a running specialist retailer.
‘Girls Don’t Like Football, We Love It!’ harnesses the energy of Euro 22 to drive the visibility of players, coaches and women in football.
FilmFixer played its part in facilitating the London leg of filming for the fourth and final season of the US hit comedy-drama, ‘Atlanta.
Have you seen this humorous new spot for the National lottery?
Last week we had the honour of hosting another Set Ready training course.
Welcome to the second report from The Generator Project. This quarter has also seen a steady increase in the number of people using the app since the time of our launch.
‘Pistol’ on Disney+ is the story of a band of spotty noisy working-class kids with “no future” who shook the Establishment to its core threatened to bring down the government and changed music and culture forever.
PRU is BBC3’s brilliant new comedy about a group of Year 10 teens struggling to navigate adolescence in a pupil referral unit, a school for excluded kids.
The Essex Serpent premiered on Apple TV this weekend. Based on the award-winning novel by Essex author, Sarah Perry, Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes star in this long-awaited mini-series.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek is now in its 22nd year and runs from 9-15 May. This year the theme is ‘loneliness’, which affects millions of people across the UK.
All the Old Knives is Amazon studios’ new John Le Carre-style spy thriller film, and features several FilmFixer London locations.
Set Ready’s production skills training program took us to the London borough of Waltham Forest where we were training young people as part of the Project Zero and Formed for Life initiatives.
FilmFixer is delighted to announce that we are now exclusively managing all filming and photography at Kingston University in London!
Slow Horses is a new spy thriller television series based on the novel of the same name by Mick Herron.
Operation Mincemeat, released in cinemas today, is based on the best-selling book by Ben MacIntyre and brought to the big screen by the Oscar-winning director John Madden (‘Shakespeare in Love’), and the producers behind ‘The Kings Speech.
If you haven’t heard Night Sweats, the new song from Findlay which has been getting airtime on Radio 6 amongst others, make sure you check it.
We were delighted to welcome a full house for the first-ever delivery of our Set Ready programme for Northern Ireland Screen.
We are tremendously proud to report that FilmFixer staffer Erin Stevenson’s short film, ‘The Last Union’, will be screened during the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner.
Have you spotted the new BBC idents yet? FilmFixer’s London borough of Southwark features in a number of the set-ups.
Hugely popular comedy series Not Going Out is currently airing with Season 12 on BBC1, and features scenes filmed in the FilmFixer borough of Kingston.
The borough of Kingston in south-west London is one of the capital’s most picturesque settings, thanks to its rich history and riverside situation.
There’s a huge buzz around Top Boy 2, as the Netflix series returns, with large parts being filmed in FilmFixer boroughs around London.
The second season of Bridgerton airs this week.
How would you feel if you came home and found everything gone? Strangers moving into your house, your partner missing, everything you’d worked your whole life for taken away?
Director and co-writer Matt Reeves’ new Batman movie starring Robert Pattinson reinvents billionaire Bruce Wayne as a dark, rock star recluse, driven by revenge in the brutal and murky world of Gotham City.
The brand new Lloyds Bank advert is out, with Burgess Park in the FilmFixer borough of Southwark featuring, alongside a spectacular troupe of the bank’s trademark black horses, as shown in this great behind the scenes footage.
We work with productions of all shapes and sizes and we helped out with a two hour location shoot at Bedfont Lakes Country Park.
Barnet is committed to bringing more productions to the borough and is keen to support shoots of any scale.
The trailer has landed for BBC Three’s upcoming new drama musical series ‘Mood’.
Excited to see Islington & Camden streets feature in ‘This Is Going To Hurt’ BBC series. On air from February 8th.
The FilmFixer team in South London did a lot of work on the Benedict Cumberbatch film, ‘The Electrical Life of Louis Wain’, currently in cinemas.
Trigger Point is a new six-part thriller from Jed Mercurio (Executive Producer of Line of Duty and Bodyguard) focusing on the work of the Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad during a summer bombing campaign that targets London.
What the cluck?! When The Vegetarian Butcher wanted an atmospheric grand kitchen setting for a new spot for their latest plant-based product, FilmFixer location Gunnersbury Park & Museum fitted the bill perfectly.
Get the underground bunkers ready! Apple TV’s latest biggie, ‘Invasion’, tells the story of an alien species that visits earth and threats humanity’s existence – and parts of it were filmed right outside the FilmFixer office.
We are delighted to announce the new Set Ready website www.setready.co.uk
Ragdoll’ is the grisly serial killer drama from the producers of ‘Killing Eve,’ and FilmFixer locations across London are at the heart of the action.