Murder at the Gallop

The title begin over this idyllic view . . . . of Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire. (SJ)

Touring film locations during the summer of 2019, Andre Schlecht from Hamburg took this matching view from a similar position.

Now we move into the busy but fictional town of Milchester. Village Road in Denham, Buckinghamshire.

Village Road captured by Brian Dockerill.

Still relatively unchanged apart from parked cars, updated by Antony Blair.

Miss Jane Marple (Margaret Rutherford) comes into view collecting money for The Reformed Criminals Assistance League. Many films have had scenes shot in Denham including 'Great Day', 'Made in Heaven', 'Down Among the Z Men', 'Dr. Morelle', 'Cheer Boys Cheer', 'Mr. Horatio Knibbles', 'The Square Peg', 'Captain Clegg' and 'The Games'.

The Green Man with added porch. SJ

Many people are happy to put their hands in their pockets to help. Outside the Kings Arms Hotel on High Street in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Not entirely a match but this illustrates that The King's Arms is happy to celebrate its establishing shot highlight in Four Weddings and a Funeral with occasional showings. The famous four poster bedroom is at The Crown further up the street. SJ

Now joined by Mr. Jim Stringer (Stringer Davis), Jane sells more flags. Church Road in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire with the church of St. John the Baptist in the right background. The church was also seen in 'Revenge'.

Found by Greg and captured by SJ.

Antony Blair returned to the location 60 years after filming.

A Farmer is pleased to give to the cause. Wall Hall Drive in Aldenham, Hertfordshire found by Fit Finlay.

The pair pay a visit to Mr. Enderby, a rich and eccentric recluse. Hilfield Castle on Hilfield Lane near Aldenham in Hertfordshire. The building appears as Castle Quilty in ‘Lolita’ and Maveson Towers in 1930's 'Out of the Blue' as well as in 'The Door with Seven Locks', 'The Dam Busters' and 'Five Have a Mystery to Solve'.

Image provided by Greg.

Hoping for more funds, Miss Marple and Mr. Stringer instead witness the old man's demise. The Gothic Hilfield Castle dates from 1798 and stands between Bushey and Aldenham.

A police car draws up outside Milchester police station. High Street, Amersham in Buckinghamshire. The location was also seen in ‘Murder Ahoy’.

The same scene by Nick Williams.

Inspector Craddock (Bud Tingwell) enters the building to find Jane Marple inside. Looking across Amersham’s High Street from in front of Piers Place.

But for a passing lorry and roadworks marring the view, Antony Blair almost recreates the same scene.

Miss Marple and Mr. Stringer cycle into town. High Street in Amersham with the King’s Arms Hotel to the right and the Market Hall in the left distance. The Market Hall was seen in ‘Three Hats for Lisa’ while the hotel was used in 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.

Outside the Kings Arms in Amersham from Nick Williams.

Antony Blair provides this update taken during the Amersham Charter Fair which is held annually.

As the police are unwilling to take up the case, Miss Marple decides to take up the investigation herself. The entrance to the Kings Arms Hotel’s courtyard.

Replacing Greg's internet image. SJ

Miss Marple asks Jim to help her climb onto a dray to reach an upper window. The courtyard of the Kings Arms Hotel in Amersham.

Looks like the courtyard has been rebuilt. SJ

Spotting the two cycles as he's driven past, a suspicious Inspector Craddock enters the pub courtyard. Looking out from the Kings Arms Hotel onto High Street. Glyn Davies believes that the tricycle is a Higgins.

The same. SJ

The Inspector catches Miss Marple as she eavesdrops on the reading of Old Enderby’s will. The Kings Arms Hotel’s courtyard.

Has to be a bit of a guess now. SJ

Caught out, the two leave the premises. A final view of the Kings Arms Hotel on High Street, Amersham.

From this pov, unchanged unlike the above. SJ

After making enquiries around the town the pair return to Miss Marple's cottage. Village Road in Denham with the bridge over the River Misbourne to the centre.

A modern view of the location. (PW)

Village Road has been seen in numerous films including ‘Don't Take It to Heart’, ‘Too Many Crooks’, ‘Man in the Moon’, 'Stormy Crossing', 'Dark Places' and ‘Murder, She Said’.

The same location now. (PW)

Miss Marple and Jim Stringer enter to discuss their latest findings. Misbourne Cottage on Village Road, Denham.

Fifty years later. (PW)

Acting on the clues already uncovered, Jane Marple cycles to visit Old Enderby's cousin. This is Corners Cottage in Westhorpe, Buckinghamshire.

Phil Richards had to contend with the low sun, but nevertheless captured a fine view of the house despite the fact that trees and greenery were also against him. (RL)

When there's no answer at the door, the amateur sleuth finds her way into the house to discover the body of Mrs. Lansquenet. The now listed Corners Cottage in Westhope near Marlow identified on Klaus F. Rödder’s www.margaretrutherford.com

A police car is dispatched to the Gallop Hotel, which is owned by Enderby’s nephew Hector. Church Farm on Radlett Road in Aldenham, Hertfordshire. The road has since been renamed Church Road.

Antony Blair found the location with the church tower now lurking behind the trees.

A carriage brings Miss Marple and her companion Jim to the establishment. The gateway leads to Radlett Road from Church Farm.

As Inspector Craddock asks questions inside, Jim protests at Miss Marple's plan to stay at the hotel alone. Church Farm on Radlett Road, Aldenham.

Hector Enderby and Miss Marple ride along the surrounding lanes together.

A car being driven by Rosamund Shane speeds past, unsettling the horses. Peter Adams provides the location as Winchbottom Farm next to Valleyview Barn, Winchcombe Lane near Flackwell Heath and Little Marlow. The double tree survives. (RL)

Graham Smith kept off the damp verge to take this comparison view.

After the murderer is uncovered, the hotel manager Mr. Trundell (Noel Howlett) bids farewell to Miss Marple and Mr. Stringer. Church Farm in Aldenham, Hertfordshire.

Miss Marple and Mr. Stringer leave the Gallop Hotel. Church Farm in Aldenham, Hertfordshire researched by Greg. Much of the farm’s former footprint is now occupied by Church Farm Way.

Greg also provides this modern view of the building.