Filming Location | British Schools Museum

The British Schools Museum - perfect for your period historic filming needs.

From our great 1837 Georgian Monitorial Schoolroom, built to house 300 boys, or the last remaining Victorian Gallery Classroom , to our touching WWI classroom and the evacuee experience of our WWII classroom - there is sure to be an educational setting here that suits your production.

If you are looking for a Victorian home for your production, our 1880s Headmaster's House recreates a middle class family home from the 1880s in detail and can be used to set the scene for everything from a period drama to a haunting ghost story.

We have been a filming location for the Just William TV series, Grantchester, and The Gadget Show. In the last few months we have featured on Inside the Factory and Antiques Road Trip and we are always keen to hear about new opportunities!

Filming Spaces at the British Schools Museum

Georgian Monitorial Schoolroom

Our oldest space - a large hall dating from 1837 which was intended to teach all 300 boys at this school at once under one Master using the Monitorial teaching method. A rare chance to use a space intended for 'the children of the labouring poor' rather than the stately school halls of their richer counterparts.
Gallery Classroom

A quintessential Victorian classroom from 1854, built in a 'Gallery' style very common at the time, much like a modern lecture theatre. The classroom holds 30 desks, and is filled with wonderful natural light from the high lantern windows.
World War One Classroom

Opened in 1905, this classroom saw the boys of the Hitchin British School who went off to the Great War to fight. Today it is set up to demonstrate school life during the 1910s-20s as the post-Victorian educational landscape evolved.
World War Two Classroom

The most modern of our classroom spaces, this classroom is set up to show school life from the 1940s and into the 1950s.

During the WWII years many evacuee children were sent here to live far from their families and our basement air-raid shelter continues their story.
Victorian Headmaster's House - Downstairs

This wonderful family home was occupied by one Headmaster and his family for nearly 50 years from 1857-1902.

In recreating their home c.1880s, we have re-instated their Parlour, Kitchin, Scullery and Pantry downstairs, as well as their outside shed and privy!
Victorian Headmaster's House - Upstairs

Our recreation of this 1880s home brings to life the family of the Headmaster, his wife and 5 children who grew up here.

With a large double bedroom for the parents, another to house the 4 little girls, and a single bedroom for the only boy, the spaces reflect family life of the time with little need for additions or alterations for filming!
Air Raid Shelter

During the years of 1939-1945, the threat of an air raid was very real across this Great Britain.

Underground spaces such as this Victorian school boiler room were pressed into service as makeshift air raid shelters, and today it is preserved as part of the story of the school's history.
Parking

Our school buildings are built around a central playground. This area can be used for exterior playtime shots, or for parking for your crew and kit during your time here.

NB: The entrance is narrow and will not allow for large coaches, but minibus and van are fine. Talk to us about your requirements.
Exterior Shots

Our historic school site is large and varied.

From the large and imposing 1850s Girls' School pictured here, to the houses built for the Master & Mistress of the schools, to the Edwardian and Victorian classrooms, there is bound to be a shot that meets your needs.