BPP University (Shepherd's Bush), Aldine Place, Shepherd's Bush, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Greater London, England, W12 8AA, United Kingdom
John Cleese’s immortal sitcom is set in the fictional Torquay hotel of the worst host in England – but its famous exterior was a country club in Buckinghamshire, and the show filmed its exteriors around the Home Counties and London while the rooms were built at the BBC’s studios.
Where was Fawlty Towers filmed?
Fawlty Towers was filmed around Buckinghamshire and London – the hotel exterior was near Bourne End – with interiors at the BBC studios.
Every Fawlty Towers location, explained
1
The hotel exterior – Bourne End
The famous Fawlty Towers frontage was the Wooburn Grange Country Club near Bourne End, Buckinghamshire (since demolished).
2
The London exteriors
Episode exteriors used streets around Preston and Harlesden in north-west London.
3
The BBC studios
The hotel interiors – lobby, dining room and Basil’s domain – were built at the BBC studios in Shepherd’s Bush.
4
The Home Counties
Villages like Cookham in Berkshire supplied additional exteriors.
Planning a visit
The original hotel building is gone, but the show’s world lives on around Buckinghamshire and London – and, in spirit, in Torquay, the Devon resort where Cleese first met the rude hotelier who inspired Basil.
Fawlty Towers Fun Facts
1
Based on a real hotelier Basil Fawlty was inspired by a genuinely rude Torquay hotel owner the Pythons once stayed with.
2
The hotel is gone The Wooburn Grange Country Club that played the exterior was later demolished.
3
'Don't mention the war!' The Germans episode gave the show its most quoted line.
4
Only twelve episodes Just 12 episodes were ever made, yet it topped a poll of Britain’s best sitcoms.
5
A husband-and-wife script Cleese wrote it with his then-wife Connie Booth, who played Polly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Fawlty Towers filmed?
Around Buckinghamshire and London, with interiors at the BBC studios; the hotel exterior was near Bourne End.
Is Fawlty Towers set in Torquay?
Yes – in a fictional Torquay hotel, inspired by a real Devon hotelier.
Can you visit the hotel?
No – the Wooburn Grange building that played it was demolished.
