Tucked away in southwest London, the borough of Merton offers a surprising blend of natural beauty and logistical convenience that makes it an ideal location for filming and photography. From the expansive greenery of Mitcham Common to the tranquil charm of Cannizaro Park, Merton’s parks provide a variety of scenic backdrops that cater to everything from period dramas to modern commercials. Just as importantly, the borough is well-equipped with ample unit basing areas, offering film crews the space and access they need to operate efficiently. With this combination of picturesque locations and practical infrastructure, Merton is fast becoming a go-to destination for creative professionals in the capital.
We’ve compiled our top 4 park locations in the borough below – check them out!
Cannizaro Park
Cannizaro Park is a Grade II* listed park nestled in the heart of Wimbledon, offering a blend of historical charm and natural beauty. The park’s origins trace back to the 18th century, serving as the gardens of the former Warren House, which was later renamed Cannizaro House. Today, the park spans 35 acres and is renowned for its meticulously maintained gardens, including the Sunken Garden, Water Garden, Italian Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and Rose Garden . These diverse landscapes provide versatile backdrops suitable for period dramas, romantic scenes, or nature-focused narratives. In recent years it has been a particularly popular location for magazine editorial shoots such as for renowned magazines Elle & Esquire, its immacutlate gardens lending itself to the kind of pristine conditions needed for fashion photography shoots.
Wimbledon Park
In the heart of Wimbledon lies Wimbledon Park, one of the largest parks in Merton. Featuring expansive green spaces and a large water sports lake, the park’s diverse facilities, including an athletics track, tennis courts, football pitches, and ornamental gardens, offer a multifaceted environment suitable for almost every production under the sun. Wimbledon Park also comes with its own unit base which is a very desirable trait for a location to have as it means productions can host their technical vans & trailers on-site enabling a smooth & efficient film set all contained to one space!
The park is a firm-favourite of the local area and productions of all kinds are called to its fantastic facilities from large TV Commercials such as Virgin Radio featuring Chris Evans & Graham Norton to the esteemed BBC drama Killing Eve. Check out some behind the scenes pics from this shoot in 2021 below!
Mitcham Common
Spanning 460 acres, Mitcham Common is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, providing a serene and expansive setting. The common features open grass areas, three ponds, and surrounding woodland, creating a countryside atmosphere within the urban landscape. Its natural beauty makes it an ideal location for productions seeking rural backdrops without leaving the city. Mitcham Common has attracted a variety of productions over the years from commercials to documentaries.
There is also a fantastic unit base on-site with several hectares of space available providing ample room for logistical operations and support functions essential for film and television productions. Located within a 15-minute drive from Wimbledon Studios, this proximity makes it a convenient choice for productions requiring extensive space for equipment and crew.
Joseph Hood Recreation Ground
Situated next to Cannon Hill Common, Joseph Hood Recreation Ground spans 8.5 hectares and is a versatile space with cricket pitches, football fields, tennis courts, and paddling pool to name but a view. Used regularly for sporting events, it has the capacity for filming involving a variety of sports and also just general park views with its expansive greenery. The park’s ample parking area serves as an excellent unit base, facilitating easy access for production vehicles and equipment and can service filming in the surrounding area including Wimbledon, Merton Park, West Barnes, Motspur Park, Cottenham Park & Morden Park.
Check out below some productions filmed at Joseph Hood over the years!
