Howards End

The film opens with Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave) taking an evening stroll in the garden of ‘Howards End’. Peppard Cottage, Rotherfield Peppard, Oxfordshire.

Having viewed the family enjoying themselves within, she moves to the front of the house.

After seeing Helen Schlegal (Helena Bonham Carter) and Paul Wilcox (Joseph Bennett) kissing in the garden we learn that they are in love, and engaged, from a letter being read by Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson) in her London home. Victoria Square, London SW1. Some trickery here as the red and white building at the rear would appear to be a matt from the upper floors of the St James Hotel seen in Capture 14 and not visible as the comparative shot reveals. The purpose of this is to make us believe that Margaret can see the activity in Capture 14 from her library window at 6 Victoria Square.

The true background to that side of Victoria Square.

We move back to ‘Howards End’ to see that there is already something injuring the relationship, at least as far as Paul is concerned.

Steve Randall's comparative shot reveals the recent lack of rainfall. (RL)

After breakfast Charles Wilcox (James Wilby) takes his father Henry (Anthony Hopkins) to the station, leaving the rest of the family behind. 1910 Adler K7/15 PS 1767cc.

Whilst Helen and Paul ‘call it off’ because Paul has no ability to support her, Aunt Juley (Prunella Scales), having heard the letter read makes her way to ‘Howards End’ to check out whether the Wilcox family are ‘good enough’. Bewdley Station, Bewdley, Worcestershire. Also see in 'The Thirty Nine Steps' (1978).

Taken from the footbridge during my visit in 2019.

Having asked the station master about ‘Howards End’ he hastily introduces her to Charles.

The last train of the day from platform 1. (SD)

He agrees to ‘run her up in the motor’, stopping off at the shops on the way. High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

While a beer delivery is always welcome, here benefiting the 15th century George Hotel, neither the timing nor parked cars were perfect for a comparison. SJ

A complete mix up ensues as to who Helen is ‘engaged’ to and indeed Charlie’s reaction…. Clifton Hampden bridge, Clifton Hampden, Oxfordshire with St. Michael and All Angels church in the background.

The original may have been shot from the caravan park if not the Thames itself. But, as the park was closed with some hefty warning signs of marauding guard-dogs, the comparison has to suffice at this angle. Out of shot to the right of George Gilbert Scott's bridge is The Barley Mow, favourably featured in the novel "Three Men in a Boat" and certainly refreshment was taken there. SJ

..…in fact they are both in high dudgeon.

'A Few Months Later’, Helen attends a piano concert but makes a hasty exit with an umbrella…………Oxford Town Hall, St. Aldgate’s, Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Thankfully no umbrellas to obscure the view. (SD)

…….quickly followed by Leonard Bast (Samuel West), the umbrella’s owner, now seeking shelter from a newspaper. Adam’s Court, London EC2

A wider shot from ground level.

As he chases after her in the rain, we cut to the wedding of Charles Wilcox (James Wilby) and Dolly (Susie Lindeman). St. Mary’s Wyndham Place, Bryanston Square, London W1

The trees in the background have grown, hiding those buildings.

Margaret looks down from her window at home to watch Henry and Ruth Wilcox (Anthony Hopkins and Vanessa Redgrave) arrive from the wedding to an apartment block in which they have rented a flat. St James Court Hotel, Buckingham Gate, London SW1. This section is part of a courtyard and appears to have been provided with a street frontage for the purposes of the film.

A comparative shot from ground level.

We catch up once more with Helen, making her way home to 6 Victoria Square, London SW1

Pity about the parked cars.

Closely followed by Leonard. 22 Victoria Square behind him.

Fortunately it wasn't raining at the time of my visit.

A carriage approaches the camera as we see Leonard making his way home to 13 Park Street, London SE1.

Certainly more 'trendy' now even if it wasn't in 1992

After a lunch with Margaret, Ruth Wilcox declares that she wants to show her 'Howards End', the house she loves. Admiralty Arch, London SW1

As and when it becomes the 'Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria London' these boards will be removed, if they haven't taken root!

Whilst Christmas shopping together in Fortnum and Mason Ruth is keen to give Margaret a present in acknowledgement of their friendship, perhaps the renewal of the lease to her apartment.

With a well timed change of thought Margaret accepts Ruth’s invitation to visit ‘Howards End'. She catches up with her in the booking office of St. Pancras Station, Euston Road, London N1.

The booking office now, re-opened in 2021 as a bar and restaurant. SJ

Before boarding the train they bump into Henry Wilcox and daughter Evie (Jemma Redgrave) who are returning to their flat, they whisk Ruth off leaving Margaret’s visit “postponed”…for now. St. Pancras Station, Euston Road, London N1.

Clearest shot I could manage. SJ

Margaret visits the nursing home where Ruth is dying and where she finds the family awaiting the tragic event. Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey

Nick Boorman found no surprises here.

A tour of the meadows that surround ‘Howards End’ with the flowers so loved by Ruth we view the front of the property wherein the family read the note written in Ruth’s dying moments that she wants Margaret to have the property.

Leonard Bast works at the ‘Porphyrion Insurance Company’ but he seems more interested in studying the formation of the stars. Pearl Assurance building, 252 High Holborn, London WC1. Now the Rosewood Hotel.

Margaret and Helen leave their weekly discussion group. Strawberry House, Chiswick Mall, London W4

Given the parked cars I was lucky to have even been able to take this shot. The growth and slant of that tree didn't help either.

After a short while they unexpectedly meet with Henry who advises them that Leonard’s employer is very shortly to go out of business and he should urgently seek a new position. Chiswick Mall, London W4

The correct post box has been returned to its position.

Henry invites Margaret to lunch together with his daughter Evie and her fiancé Percy Carhill (Mark Payton) during which he agrees to try and find the ‘Schlegel’s’ new accommodation in time for the expiry of their lease. West Room, Simpson’s in the Strand, 100 Strand, London WC2

Whilst on holiday in Devon Margaret receives a letter from Henry saying that they can have his London residence on an annual tenancy. 'Sanders', Old Road, Stoke Fleming, Devon. Grade ll listed overlooking Start Bay.

Margaret immediately returns to London to view the house, and surprisingly, receive an invitation of marriage from Henry. 52 Cadogan Square, London SW1 Grade ll* listed built in 1886-87

My patience was rewarded, the van did eventually move.

Having resigned his position with the Insurance company Leonard seeks employment with a bank, but is refused, although he does, by chance, meet with Helen. The Baltic Exchange, St. Mary Axe off Leadenhall Street, London EC3. This was badly damaged by an IRA bomb in 1992 such that it was in practical to re-build and was replaced by what is now known as ‘The Gherkin’.

Meanwhile Margaret and Henry are at his country residence in the films ‘Shopshire’ preparing for the wedding of Evie and Percy. Brampton Byan Hall, Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire.

The wedding being a great success, Evie and Percy drive off in the 1912 Austin 15hp Tourer as the guests wave them goodbye.

An overview of the town of Oxford signalling a change of location.

Feeling guilty that she and the family had been instrumental in the declining fortunes of Leonard Bast, Helen arranged a payment of £5,000 to him through her brother Tibby (Adrian Ross Magenty), however, it was not long before the cheque is returned. Magdalen College, Oxford.

Henry and Margaret are married witnessed by his family. Unknown location.

Tibby is brought a card from his sister Helen who appears to still be abroad. Magdalen College, Oxford.

Upon receipt of a further card herself, Margaret becomes more concerned about Helen and visits Tibby. Magdalen College, Oxford.

Helen gets in touch as she wants her books. An additional complication is that, Aunt Juley, in Devon, in unwell. Tibby and Margaret discuss Helen’s likely mental state. Unidentified location.

Margaret and Tibby visit Henry at his office to ask for his help regarding Helen and her books. Let her collect them from 'Howards End' and from there, if necessary, she can be taken to a doctor. The Royal Exchange, London EC3

Pity I wasn't able to take the comparative shot for Capture 19 at the same time.

The answer to it all is apparent when Margaret meets Helen in the porch of 'Howards End'.

Leonard has a sleepless night of worry deciding what to do. Unidentified location.

Decision made, he leaves home early in the morning. Park Street, London SE1

Was that post box another prop?

It is apparent that he is making his way to 'Howards End'. Victoria Bridge, built 1861 crosses the River Severn between Arley and Bewdley, Worcs. Severn Valley Railway. Manuel Gurtner advises that the engine is 'City of Truro' ,a Churchward class 4-4-0 built in 1903 at Swindon by the Great Western Railway, was loaned from the National Railway Museum in York.

Taken from the river path during my visit in 2019 as I did not have the facility of a boat.

He arrives at ‘Hilton’ station and makes his way to the house…… Bewdley Station, Bewdley, Worcestershire. Severn Valley Railway.

Taken in 2019 during my visit and 'footplate experience', I should have been a little further back but I didn't know then that a shot was required. At least it includes a steam train.

A repeat of Capture 44.

Unfortunately I couldn't include a steam train, this is a diesel. The steam train was arriving at the same time over on platform 2. (SD)

……….where Charles, finding that he is the father of Helen’s child, whips Leonard with a sword, a bookcase falls on him and he is killed.

Steve Randall painstakingly waited for the gate to be opened in order to be as accurate as possible.

Charles is found guilty of manslaughter and taken away by train to serve his sentence. Bewdley Station, Bewdley, Worcestershire. Severn Valley Railway.

A clear view of the booking office and waiting room. (SD)