Sherlockian Sojourns #19: As Seen On Screen

This sojourn took me first to Hatfield House, in Hertfordshire, 21 miles north of London, a fine Jacobean House and Garden in a spectacular countryside setting. Over the years the house has been used for multiple films, including 'Batman' (1989), 'Batman Begins' (2005), 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' (2004), 'The King's Speech' (2010), both 'Paddington' films, and most recently, the Oscar-winning 'The Favourite' (2018). However, it has also appeared in 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009), 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' (2011) and 'Mr Holmes' (2015). I therefore made my way to Kings Cross and then by train to Hatfield (the University of which my professional qualification was gained as a distance-learning student).

Walking up the long driveway, I found myself at the house, and made my first point of call, the East Garden, which is only open on Wednesdays. It was in in this formal garden, with its odd geometric topiary that in 'Mr Holmes', Holmes (Ian McKellen) engaged Anne Kelmot (Eighth Doctor audio companion, Hattie Morahan) in conversation.

Leaving the Garden, I made my way to the front of the house.

Entering I made my way into the first room - 'The Marble Hall' - which featured as 'Scotland Yard' in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows', being where Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) watched as Moriarty's fiendish code was cracked.

Moving up a staircase, I found myself in 'The Long Gallery', which appeared as the Headquarters of the 'Temple of the Four Orders' in 'Sherlock Holmes'. Supposedly in St. James', it was here that Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) met Sir Thomas (James Fox) and the Home Secretary (Hans Matheson).

In a next door room was the first of a number of displays of costumes from 'The Favourite'. I took photos of those belonging to the three stars - Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

The final room of interest was 'The Library' which appears in both 'Mr Holmes' as 'The Diogenes Club' where Holmes meets with his brother Mycroft (John Sessions); and in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" as Moriarty's study where Holmes and Moriarty (Jared Harris) spar verbally, and a not so veiled threat is made to the newlywed Watson (Jude Law).

 

 

Exiting via the Gift Shop which had a basket of DVDs filmed at the house, I made my way to the start point for the woodland walks through the grounds.

Choosing the medium walk (2 miles), I made my way through woodland, until I finally reached the site where Elizabeth I learned of her accession to the throne of England in 1558.There was formerly an Oak tree on the site, but this having decayed, a new Oak was planted by the current Queen Elizabeth in 1985.

 

Returning to the Station, and managing to avoid the sudden rain showers, I made my back to Kings' Cross, and caught a Tube to Holborn, making my way to Lincoln's Inn, one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. Lincoln's Inn is recognised to be one of the world's most prestigious professional bodies of judges and lawyers. This is another location used in multiple films, but it was again for 'Mr Holmes' that I visited.

On the way into Lincoln's Inn, I walked down Carey Street, which appeared as a London street in the film.

I then entered Lincoln's Inn, passing Wildy & Son's, a legal bookshop which appeared in the film as a Taxidermist that Anne looked into when followed by Holmes.

Emerging into Lincoln's Inn, I found myself in New Square, which appeared as the rear of the bookshop of Madam Schirmer (Frances De La Tour), to which Holmes follows Anne.

 

My final point of call was the vaulted Undercroft beneath the Chapel of Lincoln’s Inn, which Holmes tails Anne through. This striking space is a favourite location, seen also in Tony Richardson’s 1963 Oscar-winner 'Tom Jones', in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' and in the 1995 screen version of 'Richard III' (also starring Ian McKellen).

 

This brought to an end my filming locations tours, but on the way to my evening's entertainment, I undertook a brief mini-tour relating to 'The Sussex Vampire'.

My evening was spent watching a play, "The Firm" at Hampstead Theatre, starring Jay Simpson who appeared as Wiggins in "The Baker Street Boys" and managing to grab a photo with him.