Unbeknownst to many of its residents, the suburban district of Finchley, North London, has quite a star-studded secret. It’s a secret that involves the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Yes, you read that right – Finchley’s unassuming streets and buildings have made a splash in some of the most iconic films of the 1990s and 2000s. Get ready for a cinematic tour of Finchley that is guaranteed to have you saying, “Lights, Camera, Action!”
1. Finchley Central Station: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
Everyone remembers the scene where Harry and Ron miss the Hogwarts Express and decide to take the flying car instead. But did you know the station they just missed was not King’s Cross but our very own Finchley Central Station? The production team transformed the station into the magical platform 9¾ for a day of filming.
2. St Mary’s Parish Church: “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)
The charming St Mary’s Parish Church on Hendon Lane achieved fame as the setting for one of the titular weddings in this British romantic comedy. The filmmakers fell in love with the church’s quaint charm, providing a quintessential British backdrop for Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell’s romantic rendezvous.
3. College Farm: “Gladiator” (2000)
This might come as a surprise, but the dramatic opening battle scene of Ridley Scott’s epic “Gladiator” was not filmed in a distant Germanic forest, but right here in Finchley. The production team transformed College Farm into a chillingly realistic battlefield, taking advantage of the area’s natural woodland.
4. Finchley Lido: “Love Actually” (2003)
The heartwarming scene where Sam (Thomas Sangster) confesses his feelings for Joanna to his father (Liam Neeson) was actually shot at the Finchley Lido. The iconic Lido complex was transformed into a winter wonderland for this beloved Christmas classic.
5. Stephens House & Gardens: “Pride and Prejudice” (2005)
The sprawling estate of Mr. Darcy, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen, was not filmed in Derbyshire but rather at Stephens House & Gardens. The mansion’s grand Victorian architecture and landscaped gardens were the perfect setting for this timeless romance.
From hosting wizards to being the backdrop for epic battles and classic romances, Finchley has had an unexpected share of the Hollywood spotlight. So next time you take a stroll around our town, remember that you’re walking in the footsteps of movie legends.
This is Garibaldi Fantosh reporting from Finchley, North London. And that’s a wrap!