The Thursday Murder Club Film Locations

So, you’ve read the book, or you’ve just finished the film, and now you’re Googling “where is that retirement village?” Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. It’s the same impulse you get after watching a travel vlog—suddenly, you’re convinced that moving to a quiet English village will solve all your problems, even if you’re currently stuck in a noisy flat with a leaky tap.

The Thursday Murder Club film is a love letter to the English countryside, but it’s a very specific kind of love letter—the kind you write after a long, damp walk and a nice cup of tea. The locations aren’t just pretty; they feel like they could be your own backyard, if your backyard had a murder mystery happening in the potting shed. Let’s take a look at where the magic (and the mayhem) actually happens.

The Coopers Chase Village (and the Real Star)

First up, the retirement village itself. In reality, it’s not a single place, but a collection of locations that the film crew stitched together. The main “hub” of Coopers Chase—the central courtyard and the café where the gang plots—is actually a film set built at Sky Studios Elstree. Yes, the same place where Star Wars and The Crown are made.

Think of it this way: the same soundstage that once held a TIE fighter now holds a very polite argument about who poisoned the developer. It’s a beautiful, weird world. The bungalow exteriors, however, are very real, and you can find them in the charming village of Crockham Hill, Kent.

Fairlawne Estate, Kent: The Big House

Remember the posh, sprawling mansion where the murder happens? That’s the Fairlawne Estate, and it’s every bit as intimidating as it looks on screen. Driving up that long, gravel drive felt, I imagine, like arriving late for a very expensive wedding where you’ve forgotten the gift.

The estate is actually a working country estate, and it’s been in the same family for ages. When the film crew arrived, the owners probably just sighed, moved their classic cars out of the garage, and made a pot of tea. It’s the kind of place where you expect a butler to appear, but he’d probably just ask if you want a biscuit.

Farnham, Surrey: The Quaint Village Shops

When the Thursday Murder Club members nip out for supplies or to gossip with the local butcher, they’re strolling through the town of Farnham. This is the kind of town that makes you want to immediately take up watercolor painting or buy a wool sweater you don’t need. The high street has a very real, lived-in feel, which is exactly why the film used it.

Fun fact: the locals were reportedly very excited during filming, mostly because it meant the traffic jams were slightly more interesting than usual. You’ve probably done the same thing—walked past a film set and slowed down to a crawl, pretending you’re not staring. It’s the national sport.

Stansted Park, West Sussex: The Burial Ground

Yes, there’s a graveyard scene. And no, it’s not as somber as you’d think. The location is Stansted Park, a stunning 18th-century landscape garden. The graveyard used is actually a beautiful, peaceful spot where the filmmakers had to be very careful not to upset any actual, you know, residents.

It’s the perfect place for a group of amateur sleuths to have a row about who put the hemlock in the sherry. If you visit, you’ll probably see a few older couples walking around, looking exactly like Elizabeth and Joyce. You’ll want to ask them if they’ve solved any murders lately.

The Church and the Pub (Because of Course)

For the wedding scene and the pub sequences, the crew took over the Church of St. John the Baptist in Crockham Hill, and the local pub, The Fox & Hounds. This pub is the real deal—wooden beams, a fireplace, and a menu that proudly boasts “homemade chips.”

Filming at a real pub means the actors had to pretend to drink pints of ale while the locals sat in the corner, muttering, “They’re not even drinking it properly.” It’s a classic British standoff: actors versus regulars. The actors blinked first.

Why These Locations Feel Like Home

What makes these spots special isn’t just their beauty—it’s that they could be your own. You’ve been to that church fete. You’ve seen that suspicious-looking neighbour with the overgrown hedge. The locations aren’t glamorous; they’re reassuringly average, but with a twist of dark humor.

So, next time you’re watching the film and Helen Mirren is analyzing a motive over a cup of tea, remember: that tea was probably served in a real café in Farnham. And the killer? They’re probably just a local gardener who really wanted the flower bed to himself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Crockham Hill. I hear the scones are to die for.