The unlikely answer is they're all scenes which have been filmed across Hounslow in recent years. While the borough is famous for period dramas, like the 2004 big-screen adaptation of Vanity Fair, starring Ms Witherspoon and shot at Chiswick House, many of its more unusual TV and movie locations are less well-known. The M4 fly-over through Boston Manor Park, for example, is the go-to spot for directors filming secret burials or murder scenes, while Brentford Towers provide an iconic backdrop for many a detective drama.
The Butts, Brentford - this picturesque Victorian conservation area has provided the backdrop for films including Miss Potter, starring Renee Zellweger, and Johnny Depp's From Hell. Chiswick High Road - for practical reasons the wide pavements make it a popular choice for everyone from documentary makers to the team behind BBC sketch show Harry and Paul. Chiswick House and Gardens - as well as a setting for the films mentioned above, this has been a popular choice for TV dramas, with shows including New Tricks, Miss Marple and Kavanagh QC filmed here. It also doubled as Central Park in 2004 Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely. Chiswick Town Hall - stood in for Peckham Town Hall in Only Fools & Horses prequel Rock and Chips. It was also the backdrop for a celebrity photo-shoot for Vogue's Christmas edition, and was transformed into Dorian Gray's studio for the recent film adaptation. Gunnersbury Park - Keira Knightley attempts to crash a wedding reception here in Bend It Like Beckham. The park is also a popular setting for commercials, with the pond used to shoot a Jaws spoof for an anti-piracy trailer. Duke's Meadows, Chiswick - popular with film-makers, especially the recently-restored paddling pool. Boston Manor Park - the little-used area under the fly-over is where the teen stars of C4 comedy drama Misfits buried the body of their parole officer. It has been the setting for, among other things, Silent Witness, and a number of music videos. Boston Manor House - another popular choice for period dramas, this stood in for Hastings in Foyle's War. Hounslow High Street - popular with Bollywood directors despite the noise of planes overhead, this was used as the setting for a KFC advert.
Brentford Towers - this iconic piece of 60s architecture provides the backdrop for many a gritty urban drama. Griffin Park, Brentford - this old-fashioned ground stood in for Upton Park in 2005 film Green Street, about football hooligans. Leading man Elijah Wood enjoyed a pint at the Griffin pub, which is set on fire by marauding fans in the movie. Hounslow Civic Centre - this unique setting is a popular choice for dramas involving political negotiations, like The Special Relationship, starring Michael Sheen as Tony Blair and Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton. Syon Park - The Madness of King George, Gosford Park and Daniel Deronda are among the historical dramas shot on the stunning privately-owned estate.
Want to know more? go to http://www.brentfordhistory.com/connections/tv-and-film/
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