I love visiting locations I’ve seen in films – I’ve stared down at the Princess Bride Bridge in Derbyshire, visited Popeye’s Village in Malta and followed National Treasure’s clues across Philadelphia.
I also love watching things filmed in places I know well. And when the filming takes place right on your doorstep – that’s a real bonus.
Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove is a location-buff’s dream with dozens of hits filmed here.
Classics like Mona Lisa with Bob Hoskins, Brighton Rock with Richard Attenborough and the seafront and alleys took a starring role in Quadrophenia.
Who is DS Grace?
Now, thanks to ITV’s latest hit, we can follow in the footsteps of DS Grace – a detective with a tragic past – played by the ever watchable John Simm.
The series is based on Sussex author Peter James’ thrillers – 17 so far, and he’s still writing ’em.
But being swept up in the drama didn’t stop us spotting familar landmarks and locations from the sofa, working out every clever angle, cut and trick that put modern day Brighton and Hove on screen.
Walking in the footsteps of Grace
Filmed in and around Brighton, Hove and beyond, here are 12 of the locations used in the first episode of Grace.
Braemore Road, Hove
The street where DS Grace lives – convenient for his morning run along the seafront.
Hove Promenade
Grace regularly runs along the prom, past Hove’s brilliantly painted beach huts.
King’s Gardens, Hove
The missing man lives in one of these luxury flats, overlooking Hove Lawns.
Van Alen Building, Brighton
With spectacular views of the sea and Brighton’s iconic Palace Pier, the Van Alen Building is where a major suspect lives.
Kingscote Way, Brighton
A relatively new development of flats and offices near St Bartholomew’s church is the home of the victim’s fiancée. Views from her rooftop patio take in the whole city skyline.
Flour Pot Bakery and Sydney Street, Brighton
One of North Laine’s vibrant streets, well worth a visit even if you’re not a Grace fan.
Here you’ll find quirky shops, restaurants and cafés.
Alleyways and graffiti
Brighton is a mass of twittens, tiny passages, some historic.
The stag party scene in Grace was filmed in this alleyway off Bond Street, opposite the Theatre Royal’s stage door.
Car park, behind Marina Way, Brighton
Doubling as the police pound, the car park area is dominated by the skeleton of an old gas storage tank.
St Pancras Church, Kingston near Lewes
A beautiful 13th century church built of stone and flint, a Grade II listed building.
Peacehaven cliffs
Peacehaven’s Undercliff Walk, which is not far from …
Harry Frames’ house
There’s a great circular walk here. Park at the Bastion Steps car park and walk eastwards along the cliff top to Harry’s house.
A little way past you’ll find a set of steep steps going down to the undercliff walkway below.
20 minutes brings you back to the Bastion steps or ramp below the car park and not far from Peacehaven’s historic Meridian marker.
Newhaven Marina
Not Shoreham as Grace implies, but the marina at Newhaven is where the Conformité was moored.
So have you ever visited a location just because of a film or TV series or book?
Note: All photos were taken from public areas. If you like location spotting for your favourite films and TV shows, remember to respect other people’s privacy.
All images copyright ©rosemaryandporkbelly
Where to next?
• Fabulous film locations you can visit
• Haddon Hall, Derbyshire
• Secret Gardens of London – A History Walk