Vera Drake

Date: 2004
Director: Mike Leigh
Production Company: Thin Man Films

Stars: Imelda Staunton, Adrian Scarborough, Eddie Marsan, Alex Kelly, Peter Wight, Helen Coker, Sinead Matthews
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

In 1950s London a kind-hearted working-class woman secretly provides illegal abortions to help desperate women, until her actions lead to her arrest and unravel her family’s life.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall

Buy this film on Amazon link

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

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
  • 'Now' required

Vara Drake (Imelda Staunton) crosses the courtyard to her flat. Cressy Houses, Hannibal Road, Stepney Green, London E1, built as tenement blocks in 1894.

  • Capture 2
  • 'Now' required

The camera follows her to the stairwell leading to apartments 64-83. Cressy Houses.

  • Capture 3
  • 26 Feb 2026

A subplot involves the daughter of an upper class family living in an elegant house. 6 Fitzroy Square, London W1. Fitzroy Square also features in 'Telstar: The Joe Meek Story', 'Ammonite' and 'Guilty?'.

The elegant houses on a sunny day.

  • Capture 4
  • 26 Feb 2026

Vera descends stairs to carry out a housecleaning job. 33 Portland Place, London W1, also seen in 'The King's Speech'.

Here's the top of the stairs from street level,

  • Capture 5
  • 26 Feb 2026

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Vera takes in the milk for her employer. 33 Portland Place, London W1.

Here's the bottom of the stairs from street level. Cleaned up nicely.

  • Capture 6
  • 'Now' required

Aftear a day working at the garage, Vera's brother Frank Drake (Adrian Scarborough) arrives home. 4 Wood Vale, Hornsey, N10.

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Vera walks down an unidentified back street.

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

Vera visits a young woman (Sinead Matthews) to carry out an abortion.

  • Capture 9
  • 'Now' required

Vera's daughter Ethel (Alex Kelly) and neighbour Reg (Eddie Marsan) walk in the park together. St. Dunstan’s churchyard, Stepney E1, with Mercers Cottages in the background.

  • Capture 10
  • 'Now' required

Frank is shown in his garage. Unconfirmed location.

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

When her secret is discovered, Vera is arrested by DI Webster (Peter Wight) and WPC Best (Helen Coker). No more street scenes, as courtroom and prison await. Cressy Houses.