Elstree Studios, situated north of London in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire were opened in 1914, originally as Neptune Studios, and quickly became a cornerstone of the British film industry.
Over the years many films were made there before ATV bought them in 1961, producing long-running television series such as The Saint, The Persuaders and The Muppets. ATV became Central TV and moved its operations entirely to Birmingham. The BBC bought the site in 1983, now known as BBC Elstree Centre, and the studios became the base for many of the BBC's most popular shows, including Grange Hill, Top of The Pops and Kilroy.
Elstree is best known today as the home of the BBC's soap opera EastEnders and Studio D at the site is used for large studio productions such as Children in Need and the BBC's election coverage. Across the road in Borehamwood is another site known as Elstree Studios, leased by BBC Studioworks since the closure of Television Centre. This is used for recording the BBC's flagship entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing.
Buildings
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Alexandra Palace
The birthplace of television -
Broadcasting House
The first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK -
Broadcasting House, Belfast
BBC Northern Ireland's headquarters since 1941 -
Broadcasting House, Bristol
Former home of the Natural History Unit -
Broadcasting House, Cardiff
The BBC's first bespoke headquarters in Wales -
Bush House
Home of the World Service 1940-2012 -
Camden Palace Theatre
Light entertainment and music from North London -
Caversham Park
Listening to the world, 1943 to 2018 -
Ealing Studios
The BBC Television Film Studios -
Elstree Studios
Home of EastEnders -
Lime Grove
A temporary measure for 42 years -
Kingswood Warren
Former home of BBC Research & Development -
The Langham
Sustaining the BBC during World War 2 and after -
Maida Vale
The best acoustic in London -
35 Marylebone High Street
The first headquarters of the Radio Times and BBC Radio London. -
MediaCityUK
The BBC's Northern base in Salford -
Pacific Quay
Headquarters of BBC Scotland -
Paris Studios
Former London cinema which hosted The Beatles and Dad's Army -
Pebble Mill
A hub for drama, entertainment and factual programmes in Birmingham between 1971 and 2004 -
Queen's House, WC2
Centre of English language learning -
Riverside Studios
A film studio regenerated into a TV studio used by the BBC from 1954 to 1975 -
Savoy Hill
The first home of the BBC -
Television Centre
The Television Factory -
Television Theatre
A mecca for the stars of the 1960s -
Wood Norton
The emergency broadcasting centre