Hampden House, Gt. Hampden - Hammer House of Horror TV Series

Filming Location:

Hampden House

Hampden House in Great Hampden, near Great Missenden, was the once headquarters of Hammer Films during the filming of the TV series and was used extensively, popping up in many of the thirteen episodes as well as in the opening title credits. Hammer made good use of both the exterior and interior, and so I felt the house needed a location page all of its own.

The grade I listed house was built in the 14th century and was the ancestoral home of the Hampden family until 1978 when Hammer Films purchased the property, no doubt seeing great filming potential in the gothic structure. An insurance company now own the property and although closed to the public, it can be hired for weddings.

The outside of Hampden House most notably appears as the slimming clinic in The Thirteenth Reunion. Other exterior shots of the house and rooms inside were also widely used in the following episodes:

The Opening Title Sequence of the Series
Carpathian Eagle
Charlie Boy
Children of The Full Moon
Growing Pains (The Church)
Guardian of The Abyss
Rude Awakening
The Silent Scream
The Two Faces of Evil
The Thirteenth Reunion (plus the church)
Witching Time (The Church)

Thanks to Drew Coster, a visitor to the site and forum member, who managed to take some of the following fantastic shots of Hampden House when he was there in the capacity of a photographer’s assistant. The staff at Hampden House kindly gave Drew access to some out-of-bounds areas such as Mrs. Ardoy’s hallway and the gallery above the main hall.

The Thirteenth Reunion

Ruth’s apartment interior is in Hampden House. The arched window and clipped hedging visible through the window locate the room to be on the east front (the same façade seen at the end of ‘Carpathian Eagle’). Thanks to Kevin Flanagan for spotting this location (Sep 2020).

When Ruth and Stuart go to find Ben’s body they are seen running through an arch. This is the same arch as used in ‘Guardian of The Abyss’ when ? escapes from the cult. Its part of east front of Hampden House and was used notably in the main titles of each episode where the statue is seen. Thanks to Kevin Flanagan for identifying this (Sep 2020).

The entrance to Ben’s vault is the same door at Hampden House that is used for the Ardoy’s house in ‘Children of The Full Moon’ and the hospital door in ‘The Two Faces of Evil’. Thanks to Kevin Flanagan for identifying this (Sep 2020).

The dining room of the reunion was the same the room used in ‘Children of The Full Moon’ when the children ‘vanish’. Thanks to Kevin Flanagan for identifying this (Sep 2020).

The soiree room is the same as the Ardoy’s sitting room in ‘Children of The Full Moon’. Thanks to Kevin Flanagan for identifying this (Sep 2020).

The hearse entering the driveway to The Chesteron Clinic is actually the driveway to Hampden House and Church.

Carpathian Eagle, Guardian of The Abyss

Charlie Boy, Opening Titles

Charlie Boy

Charlie Boy, Rude Awakening, The Thirteenth Reunion

Children of The Full Moon

Rude Awakening

Andy Pagin, a friend of the site says the hook from which Norman is hanged in Rude Awakening is still in the beam at Hampden House.

Guardian of The Abyss

Rude Awakening, The Thirteenth Reunion

Children of The Full Moon, The Two Faces of Evil

Children of The Full Moon, Guardian of The Abyss, The Two Faces of Evil

Witching Time

Growing Pains

Andy Pagin has confirmed that Jame’s bedroom and the dining room are rooms inside Hampden House. Andy says the painting behind James is still at Hampden House.

The Two Faces of Evil

The Silent Scream

The police station scenes were filmed in a corridor at Hampden House. Andy Pagin identified the location. Using his floorplan, it’s below room 7. You can see a round thing, this is a spiral staircase that was installed after Hampden plc bought the house. The police desk is located there. The illuminated glass door leads to the room below and to left of room 6.