Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in modern-day London and the surrounding British countryside, including the fictional Cotswolds village of Upshott. Filming took place primarily on real London locations, with additional shoots in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Essex, Surrey and France. The show takes some liberties, for example Battersea Park doubling for London Zoo, and CGI placing The Park headquarters near Regent's Park despite being shot at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.
The Studio Side
While exteriors are largely real, the interiors of Slough House were built on soundstages at 3 Mills Studios in London, with later seasons using OMA X in Enfield. Neither studio is open for public visits, so fans hoping to stand inside the shabby offices should manage expectations: only the exterior on Aldersgate Street can be experienced in person.
Tours That Visit These Locations
Independent visits cover most City locations easily, since Aldersgate Street, Bunhill Fields and Beppe's Cafe sit within a short walk of each other. Guided options exist for travellers who prefer expert commentary, and the two walking tours below differ sharply in format and price, so consider group size and budget when choosing.
TV Locations Walk
Slow Horses Locations: TV Walking Tour in London
A dedicated Slow Horses walking tour through central London, visiting the real sites that double for Slough House's world, led by a guide with show and book knowledge.
★ 5.0 out of 5 · 132 reviews
Small-Group Guided Tour
London: Slow Horses TV Series Guided Tour
A guided group tour priced at 29.13 USD, rated 5 stars from 24 reviews, hitting the key London filming spots while keeping costs low for casual fans.
★ 5.0 out of 5 · 24 reviews
Private Filming Locations Walk
London: Slow Horses Filming Locations Walking Tour
A private option at 238 USD with a 5 star rating, tailored for devoted fans who want an in-depth, personal walk through the series' London locations at their own pace.
★ 5.0 out of 5 · 1 reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the real Slough House?
Yes and no. The exterior used on screen is a real building on Aldersgate Street, above the Vecchio Parioli restaurant, and it matches the exact address in Mick Herron's books. The interior, however, was built on soundstages at 3 Mills Studios and later OMA X in Enfield, so only the outside can be visited.
Where is MI5 headquarters filmed in Slow Horses?
Exteriors of The Park were shot in the Mews area of Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, a UNESCO site open to visitors. CGI then places the building near Regent's Park to match the fiction. Regent's Park itself appears from season three for Lamb and Taverner meetings.
Is Upshott a real Cotswolds village?
No, Upshott is fictional. Village scenes were filmed from season two onward in and around Stroud in Gloucestershire, within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with additional village scenes shot in Castle Combe in Wiltshire.
Which Slow Horses locations are free to visit?
Almost all of them. Aldersgate Street, Bunhill Fields, Regent's Park, Granary Square, Battersea Park and Beppe's Cafe are public and free, as are Stroud and Castle Combe. Old Royal Naval College grounds are accessible, though some buildings may charge admission.
Are the Slow Horses filming locations close together?
Many of the City of London sites are within a ten minute walk of each other, including Aldersgate Street, Bunhill Fields and Beppe's Cafe. Greenwich, Battersea and Granary Square require short transport hops, while the Cotswolds and Essex locations need a day trip from London.
When did Slow Horses start filming on location?
The series has run from 2022 to present, with all seasons using real London streets and landmarks for authenticity. Later seasons expanded the location roster to include the Cotswolds, Oxford, Essex, Surrey and France for rural and international scenes.
Slow Horses rewards location hunting more than most dramas because so much of it was shot on accessible public ground. A single morning covers the City cluster around Aldersgate Street, while Greenwich and Granary Square extend the day nicely. Travellers with more time can head to the Cotswolds for the Upshott village scenes, or simply book a guided walk and let someone else connect the dots.
