British crime series Midsomer Murders has had its fair collection of picturesque locations throughout its 23 seasons. This Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson-produced show features investigations of a series of mysterious murders in modern-day England.
Detective Tom Barnaby and his cousin John Barnaby are the ones to be digging deep into these killings that take place in a scenic but dangerous county town called Causton. Various other detective sergeants, such as Gavin Troy, Dan Scott, and Charlie Nelson, have joined the Chief Inspector in his search.
What makes Midsomer Murders different from other crime dramas is its focus on dark comedy and dramatic elements. Many accomplished actors have been a part of the British drama since every episode usually features a new murder mystery to solve.
Despite being almost 26 years old, Midsomer Murders is still broadcast in over 200 countries and has become a nostalgic favorite for many viewers. Although every episode has featured beautiful locations, Things That Go Bump In The Night, which happens to be the 1st episode of season 8, showcased more familiar British places.
Things That Go Bump In The Night Midsomer Murders: Filming Locations
Season 8 of Midsomer Murders premiered with the episode Things That Go Bump In The Night. The suspenseful episode begins with the death of an undertaker named Patrick Pennyman, who was found with his wrists slashed at his home when he was alone with his wife.
The principal filming location for this intriguing episode of Midsomer Murders was England, UK. Season 8 premiered in October 2004, so these places won’t look the same anymore. Many of them have been shut down or transformed into new places.
The Fletcher’s Cross station that we see in the episode is the Quainton Railway Station, which is located near Quainton in the English county of Buckinghamshire. Builg back in 1868, this railway station remains underdeveloped and primitive, although freight trains still use this station and its line.
The episode starts with spiritualist Rosetta Price talking about her visions while everyone around her closely listens to what she says. This spiritualist church called “The Fletcher’s Cross Spirit of Friendship Church” was the Manor House located at Frogmore Lane in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire.
This historic manor carries a perfect English atmosphere, which is why it has been featured in several other projects like Seven Dials Mystery, The Private Life of Henry VIII, and many others. Midsomer Murders has used this particular house in The Axeman Cometh, The Christmas Haunting, and Garden of Death episodes.
Elizabeth Key’s beautiful cottage house makes it into one of the scenes from the episode. Barnaby reveals that he’s been hearing a lot of things about the spiritualist church while having tea at Elizabeth’s house. This place was the Top Barn, located in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire.
The Maid in Splendour episode, which was episode 5 of season 7, also used this same barn as the place for Cruikshank’s garage. All of these areas around Buckinghamshire used to be popular filming spots for various TV shows, especially those that revolved around crime.
The Old Post Office located at Henley Road, Dorchester on Thames in Oxfordshire, was used to set up fake Fletcher’s Cross village stores. Dorchester on Thames is a small village 3 miles away from Wallingford. This historic yet charming place is home to just over a thousand people and offers fun activities like alpaca walking, lambing events, and more.
Other projects that have used this small village as a backdrop for their scenes are Howards End, Millions Like US, and Marple. Midsomer Murders used this village for episodes Dead in the Water, The House in the Woods, and Dance with the Dead.
Coming back to Buckinghamshire, another place that was featured from this county in Southeast England was the St. Nicholas Church located in Nether Winchendon. This church served as the place where Ronald Burgess worked as the Choir Master.
This little village church is part of a trio of churches situated in Chearsley, Long Crenson, and Nether Winchendon. Things That Go Bump In The Night is the only episode where Midsomer Murders used this church as a filming spot. This is surprising, considering they almost always reuse spots in every episode.
At present, Midsomer Murders is airing its 24th season, and all episodes of this British crime drama are available to watch on ITV, Prime Video, or Apple TV+.
