Stephen Hawking gets unprecedented success in the field of physics despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. He defeats awful odds as his first wife Jane aids him loyally.
Bothel and Threapland, Sunderland, Blindcrake, Cumberland, England, CA7 2JN, United Kingdom
Trinity Hall (University of Cambridge), Trinity Lane, Newnham, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, England, CB2 1TJ, United Kingdom
Scene: (university exteriors)
14, Kidderpore Avenue, West Hampstead, Hampstead, London Borough of Camden, Greater London, England, NW3 7SU, United Kingdom
Westminster Muslim Cultural Centre, 30, Winchester Street, Tachbrook Estate, Pimlico, City of Westminster, Greater London, England, SW1V 4RW, United Kingdom
The story of Stephen and Jane Hawking begins where it really happened – in Cambridge, among the courts and river of the university. The Theory of Everything filmed at the colleges themselves, then reached out to a Sussex beach and a London townhouse to tell the rest of a life lived largely in one small city.
Where was The Theory of Everything filmed?
The film was shot mainly in Cambridge, using the University’s colleges and riverside, with additional filming in London and on the Sussex coast. For a story so tied to one place, the production wisely used the real Cambridge wherever it could.
Every location, explained
1
Cambridge – the university
The heart of the film is Cambridge: Trinity Hall and the college courts stand in for Hawking’s university world, with Market Hill and Newnham featuring around the city. The famous May Ball and river scenes lean on the colleges’ timeless architecture.
2
London – the Hawking home and interiors
The family’s house scenes and some college interiors were shot in London – around West Hampstead for the Hawking home and Harrow for interior sets.
3
The Sussex coast – the beach
The tender beach scene used Camber Sands and Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast, its wide flat sands a contrast to Cambridge’s enclosed courts.
Planning a visit
Cambridge is the obvious destination – the colleges, the Backs and the river Cam are all walkable, and several colleges welcome visitors. For the coastal scene, Camber Sands in East Sussex is a long, popular beach an easy drive from the coast towns, while the London locations sit in leafy West Hampstead.
Theory of Everything Fun Facts
1
Filmed in the real Cambridge The film shot at the University of Cambridge, including Trinity Hall, where much of Hawking’s story unfolds.
2
The beach is Camber Sands The seaside scene was filmed at Camber Sands and Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast.
3
A London home The Hawking family’s house scenes were shot around West Hampstead in London.
4
Eddie Redmayne won the Oscar Eddie Redmayne won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking.
5
Based on Jane Hawking's memoir The film is adapted from Jane Hawking’s book Travelling to Infinity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was it filmed at the real Cambridge University?
Yes – the production shot at Cambridge colleges and around the city.
Where is the beach scene?
At Camber Sands and Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast.
Can you visit the filming locations?
Yes – many Cambridge colleges welcome visitors, and Camber Sands is a popular public beach.
Who plays Stephen Hawking?
Eddie Redmayne, who won the Best Actor Oscar for the role.
