Carrying On at Heatherden Hall

Ever wondered about the history of the iconic Heatherden Hall? It's a Pinewood Studios landmark which is so familiar to film fans around the world. And it's appeared in many a Carry On film too. I was browsing the internet the other evening and found a fascinating article all about this lovely old mansion house.

Heatherden Hall first appeared in the Carry Ons in Carry On Nurse in 1959. Its exterior doubled as the front of Haven Hospital. Heatherden would once again play a hospital for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas in the 1962 film Twice Round The Daffodils. And in 1968 it possibly had its most famous role in a Carry On - playing the British residency in Carry On Up The Khyber. 

In 1969 the house was once again seen in the series, playing the slimming clinic run by Jim Dale and Joan Sims in Carry On Again Doctor. I think the council office scene at the beginning of Carry On Girls may also have been shot inside Heatherden, while we also see the house briefly in Carry On England, in scenes shot at the very start of the film with Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Johnny Briggs. 

Heatherden has also featured in countless other films and television series such as the Norman Wisdom comedies Up in the World and A Stitch in Time, the Bond film From Russia With Love, it was Truly Scrumptious' house in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was seen in Lionel Jeffries' The Amazing Mr Blunden. It even featured in the likes of Lewis Collins' Who Dares Wins and Batman, directed by Tim Burton.

These days Heatherden Hall is still in use, both for filming purposes and as a venue for events, conferences and even weddings. 

You can read more on the history of Heatherden Hall in the excellent House and Heritage article by David Poole. And if you are interested in hiring out the venue for a professional or personal event, stick the details into Google and you'll find several companies you can book through.

To finish, here's a lovely old film of Heatherden Hall from back in the days before Pinewood Studios quite took hold:

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