Swallows and Amazons (1974)

Date: 1974
Director: Claude Whatham
Production Company: Theatre Projects Film Productions Ltd.

Stars: Virginia McKenna, Ronald Fraser, Suzanna Hamilton, Sophie Neville, Simon West, Stephen Grendon, Kit Seymour, Lesley Bennett
Location(s): Cumbria

Region(s):

Storyline:

Whilst on holiday, four children find a boat and sail over to an island in a lake where they set up camp before discovering that they have stumbled across someone else’s territory.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

More information about Sophie Neville, who played Titty Walker in the film, can be found by clicking here.

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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.

  • Capture 1
  • Pre 2008

In the England during the summer of 1929, a train brings Mrs. Walker and her children to the Lake District during the school holidays. The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway running alongside the River Leven in Cumbria. Tom Oliver observes that the locomotive is a Fairburn 2-6-4 tank engine built for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway which is the right company for Cumbria in 1929, but the engine wasn't built until 1950-51.

  • Capture 2
  • Pre 2008

A car collects the family from Ulverston station. This is the platform at Haverthwaite station on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway in Haverthwaite, Cumbria. Manuel Gurtner points out that the heritage railway also appears in 'Without a Clue'.

  • Capture 3
  • 15 Oct 2020

The Vauxhall arrives at the farm where the family are staying. This is High Bank Ground Farmhouse, east across Coniston Water from Coniston in Cumbria.

Chris Mc provides this comparison of the farm house.

  • Capture 4
  • 15 Oct 2020

Mrs. Jackson meets the family and, while Mrs. Walker takes baby Vicky into the house, the children clamber out of the car as they ask if they can go exploring. High Bank Ground Farm, now a guesthouse also providing self catering accommodation.

A similar view by Chris Mc.

  • Capture 5
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John (Simon West), Susan (Suzanna Hamilton), Titty (Sophie Neville) and Roger (Stephen Grendon) run across a field and down to the lake. Looking towards High Bank Ground from the fields to the west of Consiton Water.

  • Capture 6
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The children spot an island in the middle of the lake. At the time of shooting, Coniston Water lay in Lancashire which had become part of Cumbria by the time the film was released.

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When he and his siblings discover a small boat, John writes to his father to ask is they can investigate the island. The boathouses below High Bank Ground.

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Receiving a positive reply from their father as he sails from Malta to Hong Kong, the children prepare for their voyage. The shore of Coniston Water below High Bank Ground in Cumbria.

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As Mrs. Jackson holds the baby, Mrs. Walker (Virginia McKenna) waves as the children row towards the island. Looking back to the three boathouses on the shore of Consiton Water.

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Having camped overnight on the island, John rows ashore to collect milk for breakfast from Dixon's farm.

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Following a boat named Amazon, the children row to the mainland. Boathouses on the shore at Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria.

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The shoreline is scanned but there's no sign of Amazon or it's crew. Bowness-on-Windermere on the east bank of Lake Windermere.

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Heading towards a jetty, the children decide to explore 'Rio'. Bowness-on-Windermere with the Belsfield Hotel to the top right.

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After mooring up, Roger is left to guard Swallow whilst the others go to get supplies from the natives. Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria.

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Carrying rope and ginger beer, John and the girls leave a shop.

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A band plays as people enjoy the lakeside. Looking across Glebe Road in The Glebe at Bowness-on-Windermere.

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John leads Susan and Titty through 'Rio'. Looking along Church Street from the corner of Fallbarrow Road in Bowness-on-Windermere with the Stags head Hotel on the left.

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During their adventures, the Walker children discover a waterfall. Skelwith Force, Ambleside in Cumbria located by Steve Randall.

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Making plans to capture Swallow, Nancy (Kit Seymour) and Peggy Blackett (Lesley Bennett) tip Amazon over before beginning to scrub the hull. Steve Randall advises that this is Brown Howe, Coniston Water in Cumbria as described by Lesley Bennett in Sophie Neville's book 'The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974)’.

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With plans of their own, one evening John, Roger and Susan approach the shore in Swallow. Brown Howe on Coniston Water.

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Swallow quietly approaches the boathouse where Amazon is kept.

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Sophie Neville played Titty Walker in the production and has provided these behind the scenes photos taken during filming. This is the cast of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) at Haverthwaite railway station with Jim Stelfox. Robin Smith is at the window, Alan Smith and John Eccles are standing in the doorway.

  • Capture 23
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Again a Haverthwaite, this shot features Brian Doyle, Terry Smith and Graham Ford, with Virginia McKenna, Kit Seymour, Sten Grendon, Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton and Lesley Bennett (photo: Eileen Smith)

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Author and Producer Sophie Neville has written a number of books including 'The Secrets of Filming Swallows & Amazons (1974)' and 'The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974)'. Follow the link in the header to find out where to purchase.

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Film extras Robin Smith, Alan Smith, who now reads the news on BBC Radio, and John Eccles at Haverthwaite railway station with the props lorry in the background.

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Sophie Neville on the camera boat filming on Derwent Water in 1973.

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Returning to the Lake District in 2013, here is Sophie Neville at Coniston Water.