House Across the Lake, The

Date: 1954
Director: Ken Hughes
Production Company: Hammer Films, Lippert Films

Stars: Alex Nicol, Hillary Brooke, Sidney James, Susan Stephen, Alan Wheatley
Location(s): Berkshire, Westmorland,

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

Despite his worthy intentions, an American finds himself entangled in murder plans with a scheming femme fatale. SJ

Additional Information:

Also known as ‘Heat Wave’ (US Title)

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

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The Lake District is established with some second unit work in Westmorland, as Wheatley seeks out Nicol.

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Flashing back Nicol tells his story which begins with a friendship with James. This is the back of James' house on the lake, actually Down Place at Bray Studios in Berkshire. The studio building itself is often seen as a location and features in 'The Curse of Frankenstein', 'Dracula: Prince of Darkness' and 'Death of an Angel' amongst other films.

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  • 23 Aug 2018

And this is the front. An old friend, almost next door to Bray Studios. A shot seen before in many Hammer films.

Yes Oakley Court and this is the car park which has replaced the greenhouses. SJ

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  • 23 Aug 2018

Nicol steps out. Oakley Court, Water Oakley near Windsor in Berkshire. The location is also seen in 'Half a Sixpence', 'What the Butler Saw', 'Nightmare', 'The House in Nightmare Park', 'The Mutations', 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and others.

The main entrance to Oakley Court. SJ

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Again the back of the house, now Down Place which is visible from the Thames. Nicol with Brooke and her step-daughter Stephen.

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James, or more than likely a double, enjoys some speed on Lake Windermere. This is the supposed view from the above shot.

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  • 08 Apr 2026

A railway station as Nicol attempts to leave before being cajoled back by James... And within 12 hours, identified by RL as Windsor and Eton Riverside. The station can also be seen in 'All the Right Noises', 'The Last Page', 'That's Your Funeral', 'Two Left Feet', 'The Stranger Left No Card', 'I Want What I Want' and 'Richard's Things'.

This is Graham Main's shot of platform 1 with thanks to the ticket attendant who closed the wrought-iron gates to match the view. (SJ)

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The house in now derelict. Down Place.

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  • 23 Aug 2018

Nicol tries the front.

Nice detail of the griffins or gargoyles in the front porch. SJ

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  • 23 Aug 2018

He opens the car door to find Stephen sitting in the back seat, with Wheatley in the driver's seat.

Again the greenhouses are long gone. SJ

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Nicol pays a visit to Brooke. I suspect this is near Bray Studios.

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Brook watches Nicol leave.

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  • 17 Aug 2025

And we're back in the lakes and in present time after the flashback. Probably Windermere Ferry in Westmorland.

"The location is the Windermere Chain Ferry, taken from the Far Sawrey side, the west side of the lake. The houses visible on the distant east side of the lake are in Bowness which is about a mile south of the town of Windermere. The ferry in the film is probably the one which dates from 1915. A larger ferry went into service in 1954, probably just after location filming. I remember it well and it ran until 1990 when it was replaced by the current ferry, Mallard, which is larger again to cope with seasonal traffic." With thanks to Graham Main. (SJ)