Stepping Through Heartstopper
Last updated: 30th June 2022
Some people just make your heart stop.
Welcome to the beautiful and heartstopping world of Heartstopper. A show that has tested the limits of what can be created in this space of LGBTQ+ television and a story that has truly defined a new phase of inspiring a generation (and beyond) to accept and love their true selves - me included. I honestly can’t quite say enough about this life-changing show. There’s a lot to be discussed about Heartstopper and luckily it’ll be sticking around for some time, which means there’s plenty of time to celebrate it all! For now though, let’s explore where Nick & Charlie were brought to life in the Netflix adaption - all in (relative) story order:
Truham Grammar School
We begin our journey at the heart of it all; the school where Nick & Charlie attend. This location is, as you can imagine, a very surreal one to visit! The grounds are private so please be aware if going to have a little peak. I went to see the exterior from the main road - instant goosebumps! I’m excited to delve deeper into this location in the near future where I’ll be able to discuss more relating to its location. I spotted the hints of blue & yellow from a distance and the iconic little bus stop where Charlie sits and waits - oh, it was just so wonderful! It looks like any other school from the outside and was once a working High School until not too long ago. Please consider that this location has 24/7 security and is not open to the public.
2. Charlie Spring’s House
A main location in the show is of course the home of one of the main characters… Charlie Spring! Stand on this road and think back to saying hello and goodbye in the rain, having a snow day full of fun, and coming to terms with who you are with the boy you’ve fallen in love with. It’s here on St Mark’s Road in Windsor where a large part of the heart & soul of this show was born. A very unassuming spot but one that holds so much meaning after watching the scenes that take place here. The doorway and entrance of the house look identical to what’s seen in the show, however the main interiors (such as Charlie’s bedroom) were all sets built elsewhere. Please be respectful if visiting and keep in mind that Charlie’s house is a real home.
Next up, also in Windsor…
We see the whole gang walking along the Windsor Riverside Walk - The Eton Walkway bridge can be seen in the background. At just a 10 minute walk from Charlie’s house, this is a perfect location to also visit if in Windsor! It’s a very short sequence, blink and you miss it, but is still worth a look. It takes place just after the milkshake scene, they’re all walking from Burnham Park and heading back to school, which brings us to the next location…
3. Burnham Park
This place is FULL of scenes from the show. Although quite a large expanse of green, it’s actually really easy to find each spot. The distinctly shaped trees help to pinpoint the exact location for each scene. Every heartstopping moment that takes place here:
The milkshake scene. Where Nick explains to Imogen why they can’t be together. The picnic scene where Nick & Charlie have one of their first dates
The milkshake van was sadly just placed for filming - a ping pong table now sits in its place! There’s a very distinct curved tree where this section was shot which helps to find it. The bench where the whole gang sit on (Friends style) was also just placed for filming - it really is just a green patch now! The scene where Nick and Imogen talk about being together was also here. The bench where they both sit has a very distinct tree behind it - that’s the clue! Finally, the spot where Nick & Charlie have a little picnic. This seemed impossible to find at first but became very easy when the log was found. The huge fallen tree sits sort of in the middle of Burnham Park. It’s hard to miss once there and then that’s it really, you’ve found them all. 3 scenes in 1 place. Production used this spot rather well!
4. Thames Valley Athletics Centre
Next up we have where the rugby match was filmed… the Thames Valley Athletics Centre! We head back over to Windsor for this one. The Athletics Centre is part of Eton College and is used by students to carry out lessons and training. I wasn’t sure what was what until visiting but the staff were really lovely - I was told that access is not usually permitted so I was very grateful to them for allowing me onto the grounds to snap some shots. Everything looks identical to what’s seen in the show. The running track, the pitch in the middle used for all sorts of athletics events, and the seating area which overlooks everything. Visiting this place brought back so many awful memories of playing rugby at school! Not my finest moments… what a terrifying sport.
5. Hollywood Bowl, High Wycombe
Let’s kiss by the Maxx Grab machines
Welcome to the most stunningly lit location in the whole show! That’s just my opinion but wow, this entire sequence set inside this bowling alley was such a wonder to watch unfold. It’s since been stated by production that the lighting WAS all purposely orchestrated to mirror that of the bisexual flag - hues of blue and purple swirl above the neon-lit arcade, all looking identical to what we see in the show. All of that meant that the photos taken in here were gifted with such a magical neon glow filled with colours from the entire rainbow. The main feature of interest that I think will become even more popular in the coming months are the x3 grabby machines which are part of the arcade. They’re still here! Or at least were when I visited in May. Each machine was in the same position too - albeit slightly placed at different angles now. Nick & Charlie have a heartfelt conversation here and then also share a kiss in public - oh, the feels!
Finding this location
It was very hard to find this place at first. I could tell that the bowling alley in the episode was a Hollywood Bowl - a well-known chain in the UK with distinct colours and aesthetics in each of their locations - but I didn’t know which one. I soon went on a Google exploration to see if I could match any visuals with the correct location. Bingo! The big pink archway found at the entrance was a big giveaway that the bowling alley belonged to High Wycombe. The rest is history!
Fun fact: we see Charlie & Tao enter/exit a bathroom here… in reality they’re entering through the doors to the kitchen! The real bathroom is around the corner.
6. ODEON Uxbridge
Quite a heartbreaking moment up next here at the ODEON Uxbridge cinema. This was a very surreal location to see pop up in the show as I studied here for 3 years! I visited this cinema every single day to escape from the world, so to see it be used in such an incredible show was wonderful to see. Charlie arrives on the top level of the INTU Uxbridge Car Park where he and Nick hug. We then watch as the pair descend an escalator inside the shopping centre. We’re almost there… as they then arrive at the cinema! It’s here where chaos and heartbreak ensues as Harry & Ben offer some homophobic hatred towards Charlie. Have no fear though, Nick makes sure to stand up for him in such a beautiful display of affection. The cinema looks the same on the show as it does in reality which I found quite lovely. Such a bittersweet scene to watch when they’re all inside watching the film - I’ve sat there so many times, ah!
7. North Weald Station, Essex
This little heritage railway lives just a short drive from Epping tube station. It’s a really cute spot and one that holds a very wholesome moment from the final episode of the show. Nick & Charlie stand on the platform waiting to board their train. The camera pans out and we see a faint rainbow in the back there… just one of many dotted throughout the show. I really loved finding this spot as it’s a quiet location away from any crowds. Being a heritage railway, there aren’t any huge trains passing through, only steam trains making short journeys, which adds so much character to this entire sequence. They then board a train here and make their way down to Herne Bay in Kent for the final beach sequence. A little TV magic is at play! Why? Because no trains that depart from this station go to Kent. Still, its’s a perfect station for how it was used.
8. Herne Bay, Kent
Finally, we end the journey at Herne Bay in Kent. Specifically, the beach and pier found on the seafront. This location has become a beacon of love and acceptance due to the events that take place here. Nick & Charlie are on the cobbled pebbles down by the sea, rainbow covered beach huts resting behind them, when Nick declares his love for Charlie. Just 2 people who have gone on a journey and are now one with each other. Honestly, a beautiful and perfect ending if ever I did see one. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the beach huts - located west of the Herne Bay pier. The amusement arcade on the pier is also available to visit! The photo booth was sadly put in just for filming but the carousel remains so a fun recreation can be had!
