The Avengers at Shenley

Shenley Hall hasn't always been just a private home or offices. During the 50s, 60s and 70s it was often used as the setting for both TV and feature film productions. One of the most renowned of these was The Avengers who often filmed both at Shenley Hall and grounds and in the adjoining lanes and village.

Shenley Hall was recently visited by a group of Avengers enthusiasts who had asked to start a special treasure hunt based on one of the most popular Avengers episodes, Dead Mans Treasure. The episode, filmed in the mid 60s, featured a car rally which began in the car park outside the Hall, complete with Steed's vintage car. The setting was Benstead Manor, the fictitious home of Arthur Lowe, who played an eccentric car enthusiast who organised the rally.
 

Shenley Hall has also featured in two other episodes of The Avengers, as Jordan's House in "The Bird That Knew Too Much", and as The Anastasia Nursing Academy in "You'll Catch Your Death".

The Avengers appreciators recreated the start of the race as close as they could to the programme and started on a four hour treasure hunt which took them to other well known Avengers settings nearby.

Shenley Hall has also been used in episodes of The Saint and during the 50s was featured as the backdrop to the live weekly series The Invisible Man. Feature film visitors have included Dame Anna Neagle and even Frankie Vaughan. Shenley Hall also made a sneak appearance in the big screen version of 70s comedy On The Buses.

The reason the Hall became such a sought after location was its close proximity to Elstree Film Studios. Although the studios were run down and closed in the 80s, they have since re-opened and are expanding and successful once again. Elstree (Borehamwood) is also the home for BBC studios and is the site of Albert Square (Eastenders) and Top Of The Pops.