Channel 5's latest must-see drama, The Girlfriend, has audiences hooked not just on its twisting plot, but also on its strikingly beautiful backdrops. If you've found yourself wondering where the show's tense scenes unfold, you're not alone.
The production cleverly utilised several picturesque spots across the UK to bring its story to life, primarily focusing on two distinct English counties.
The Heart of the Drama: A Sussex Village
The quintessential English village at the centre of the story is actually the real-life location of West Hoathly in West Sussex. This charming village, with its historic sandstone houses and iconic 12th-century church, St Margaret's, provides the perfect setting for the seemingly perfect life that begins to unravel.
Key scenes were shot on the village's main street, capturing that idyllic yet claustrophobic community feel essential to the plot.
A Grand Buckinghamshire Setting
For the more affluent and imposing scenes, the production headed to Buckinghamshire. The grandeur of the county perfectly complements the drama's themes of wealth, secrecy, and family dynamics.
Specific filming took place in the market town of Amersham, known for its historic architecture and charming old town, which offered a contrasting backdrop to the Sussex village scenes.
Why These Locations?
The choice of locations is no accident. The contrast between the cozy, close-knit village in Sussex and the more sleek, affluent settings in Buckinghamshire visually reinforces the class and social tensions that drive the narrative forward.
These authentic British locations ground the dramatic storyline, making the characters' extraordinary experiences feel all the more real and immediate for the viewer.
So, next time you tune into The Girlfriend, you can not only follow the suspense but also take a visual tour of some of England's most photogenic counties.
