[ Locations ]
On this page you will find information on some of the more prominent locations used in Spooks.
Thames House
The building used in the series to represent the exterior of Thames House is actually the Freemason’s Hall, London. Some corridor scenes were also filmed within the building. The set for ‘The Grid’ was a separate studio set.
The hall was built between 1927–1932 as a memorial to the Freemasons who died in the First World War, it is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in England, and is now Grade II* listed internally and externally. In addition to the Grand Temple (seating 1700) there are 21 Lodge Rooms, a Library and Museum, Board and Committee Rooms and administrative offices. The building is fully open to the public.
Seen in: every episode
Thames House
The building used in the series to represent the exterior of Thames House is actually the Freemason’s Hall, London. Some corridor scenes were also filmed within the building. The set for ‘The Grid’ was a separate studio set.
The hall was built between 1927–1932 as a memorial to the Freemasons who died in the First World War, it is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in England, and is now Grade II* listed internally and externally. In addition to the Grand Temple (seating 1700) there are 21 Lodge Rooms, a Library and Museum, Board and Committee Rooms and administrative offices. The building is fully open to the public.
Seen in: every episode
In this video you can take a tour of the hall:
Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, linking Bankside with the City of London. It is sited between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge.
As its name suggests it was built to commemorate the passing of the Millennium and the bridge opened to the public on 10 June 2000 when an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people crossed it. However, due to unforeseen sideways movements (‘wobbles’) the decision was taken to close the bridge while modifications were made. These took two years and the bridge reopened in 2002.
The bridge had also featured in Ashes to Ashes and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
Seen in: 4x09, 5x10, 8x02
The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, linking Bankside with the City of London. It is sited between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge.
As its name suggests it was built to commemorate the passing of the Millennium and the bridge opened to the public on 10 June 2000 when an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people crossed it. However, due to unforeseen sideways movements (‘wobbles’) the decision was taken to close the bridge while modifications were made. These took two years and the bridge reopened in 2002.
The bridge had also featured in Ashes to Ashes and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
Seen in: 4x09, 5x10, 8x02
Thames Barrier
The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier (after the Oosterscheldekering in the Netherlands) and is located downstream of central London, United Kingdom.
Operational since 1982, its purpose is to prevent the floodplain of all but the easternmost boroughs of Greater London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea. The barrier spans 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, and it protects 125 square kilometres of central London from flooding caused by tidal surges. When needed, it is closed during high tide; 10 steel gates are raised into position across the river. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a five-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. At low tide the bridge can be opened to enhance the river's flow towards the sea.
Seen in: 4x09, 5x10, 6x01, 9x01
The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier (after the Oosterscheldekering in the Netherlands) and is located downstream of central London, United Kingdom.
Operational since 1982, its purpose is to prevent the floodplain of all but the easternmost boroughs of Greater London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea. The barrier spans 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, and it protects 125 square kilometres of central London from flooding caused by tidal surges. When needed, it is closed during high tide; 10 steel gates are raised into position across the river. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a five-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. At low tide the bridge can be opened to enhance the river's flow towards the sea.
Seen in: 4x09, 5x10, 6x01, 9x01
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an English and Chinese Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Due to its prominent position, it is one of the most famous churches in London. It is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. There has been a church on the site since the medieval period; the present building was constructed to a Neoclassical design by James Gibbs in 1722–1724.
Seen in: 3x05
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an English and Chinese Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Due to its prominent position, it is one of the most famous churches in London. It is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. There has been a church on the site since the medieval period; the present building was constructed to a Neoclassical design by James Gibbs in 1722–1724.
Seen in: 3x05
NOTE: The interior shots are not, St Martin-in-the-Fields. The distinctive blue gothic ceiling tell us these were shot in Chapel of St Sepulchre in the crypt of St Mary Magdalene, Paddington (which was also used in the 2012 film "Les Miserables" as the Bishop's chapel, featuring scenes with Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean).