Nettlefold Studios, Walton-on-Thames (1899 – 1961)  

The Adventures of Robin Hood were shot at Nettlefold Studios, Walton-on-Thames.  The series pioneered an entirely new technique in TV film-making, enabling the studio to turn out a complete 26-minute programme every four and a half days.  

In normal film-making, the studio technicians built huge sets on which the cameras were lined-up for each sequence. To cut out delay and speed up production, Mr. Proud, a well-known art director, did away with these sets. Instead he used stock items of scenery and mounted them on wheels so that they could rapidly be moved into position. 

Walton-on-Thames lies close to the historic Runnymede Meadow (where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215) countryside, which has remained, unchanged for centuries.  This authentic background was used for the filming of the outdoor sequences.

The studios started life back in 1899, when Cecil Hepworth leased a house for £36 a year and built a 15ft x 18ft stage.  Cecil Hepworth was an inventor of exhibition and photographic equipment who had decided that he wanted to try his hand at film making, starting initially with trick films.  It is believed that slow-motion photography started here.  In 1905 Hepworth added a large glass studio. 

Unlike other studios, production continued at Walton-on Thames through the First World War, both by making propaganda films and by renting to visiting companies.

In 1926 both Cecil Hepworth and his film company were declared bankrupt, the studios being purchased by Archibald Nettlefold.

In 1930 the studios installed sound equipment, by 1932 claiming to be the first British studio to have the new high-fidelity recording equipment.

In 1940 the studios were commandeered by the Government for the duration of the Second World War.  The Vickers-Armstrong aircraft company built two new hangars at Nettlefold following a direct hit to their factory at Kingston-upon-Thames.  By 1947 the studios were now owned by Earnest G. Roy and the hangars continued in use for filming.

With the popularity of television the studio's fortunes declined during the 1950’s and by 1961 it had closed and was pulled down.

1935 Map showing location of Nettlefold Studio.

Playhouse - could this be the only remaining part of the studio? (Photo: Pauline Hannaford, 2005)

Sources:-

www.whirligig-tv.co.uk

British Film Studios – An illustrated History by Patricia Warren (Batsford Second Edition 2001)

British Pathe