film location
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter
The Leavesden studios where all eight films were shot; the tour preserves the original Great Hall, Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express sets.
13 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Chesham
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Chesham
Chesham works well as a base: 5 minutes from Hyde Heath, 17km from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Chesham is in England, United Kingdom, with about 21,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Hyde Heath, about 4 km away.
Chesham ( CHESH-əm, locally CHESS-əm or CHEZ-əm) is a market town and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom, 11 miles (18 km) south-east of the county town of Aylesbury, about 26 miles (42 km) north-west of central London, and part of the London commuter belt. It is in the Chess Valley, surroundedRead more
by farmland. The earliest records of Chesham as a settlement are from the second half of the 10th century, although there is archaeological evidence of people in this area from around 8000 BC. Henry III granted a royal charter for a weekly market in 1257.
Chesham is known for its four Bs — boots, beer, brushes and Baptists. In the face of fierce competition from both home and abroad during the later 19th and early 20th centuries, the three traditional industries rapidly declined. The ready availability of skilled labour encouraged new industries to the town both before and after the Second World War. Today, employment in the town is provided mainly by small businesses engaged in light industry, technology and professional services.
From the early part of the 20th century, Chesham has experienced considerable expansion, with new housing developments and civic infrastructure. Chesham has become a commuter town with improved connection to London via the London Underground and road networks. The town centre has been progressively redeveloped since the 1960s and has been pedestrianised since the 1990s. The population at the 2021 census was 23,008.
Where to Stay in Chesham
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Chesham?
Within an hour or so of Chesham: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter (13 km), Burnham Beeches (Robin Hood, Harry Potter, Sleepy Hollow) (16 km), ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (17 km), Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire (Goldfinger golf match) (19 km).
Are there any good drives near Chesham?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
Where is Chesham?
Chesham is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Hyde Heath.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 20,649
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.7000, -0.6000
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Chesham
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
film location
Burnham Beeches (Robin Hood, Harry Potter, Sleepy Hollow)
The ancient pollarded beech woodland close to Pinewood Studios is one of Britain's most-filmed forests.
16 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
The UK's largest zoo set across 600 acres of Bedfordshire parkland with drive-through animal enclosures.
17 km · about 20 min drive
film location
Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire (Goldfinger golf match)
The Palladian clubhouse and course hosted the celebrated golf match between Bond and Goldfinger, and reappeared in Tomorrow Never Dies.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Windsor Castle
The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, serving as a royal residence for over 900 years.
24 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
LEGOLAND Windsor
Family-friendly theme park near London with LEGO-themed rides, building workshops, and Miniland models.
26 km · about 30 min drive
cafe
Ace Cafe London
The 1938 North Circular roadside cafe that became the home of the ton-up boys and rocker culture, reopened on its original site in 1997 and still holding weekly bike and classic car meets.
28 km · about 35 min drive
film location
Virginia Water Lake, Surrey (Forbidden Forest)
The lakeside and woods of Windsor Great Park doubled for the Forbidden Forest and the Hogwarts grounds in Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire.
32 km · about 35 min drive
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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