The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) is a British comedy about a group of retirees from different backgrounds who travel to India to stay at what is supposed to be a magnificent and luxurious hotel.
Before their departure, we get to briefly know them in their UK environment and see why each and everyone of them need or want a change. This is how we end up in Islington to meet Evelyn.
In fact, this is the very first scene of the movie. As the camera zooms out, we can hear Evelyn (Judi Dench), a recent widow, trying to reach a call centre (in India) to understand her Wi-Fi from her broadband: an unchartered territory her husband used to deal with.
When the camera zooms out towards the inside of her house, we can see some grass, a footpath leading to a building and some trees.
We are in Highbury Place, and the footpath is the one leading to Highbury Pool and Fitness Centre!
After filming in Islington for Notes on a Scandal and the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Judi Dench must love our borough…She was recently spotted with Dustin Hoffman shooting around Bevin Court!
A big Thank you to Islington resident and film producer Nicola Gallani of Greengrass Media for this tip!
Fade Out
How to get there?
Highbury Place N5
Highbury and Islington Station (Zone 2)
Many buses to Highbury Corner
Enjoyed this post? Feel free to comment, share it with your friends and come to Islington to discover our locations! Don’t forget to send me your pictures.
And if you do know any Islington location used for Film, TV, photo shoot or have been involved in the process, drop me a line at LightsCameraIslington(at)gmail.com or via Twitter
Lights, Camera…Islington! 
I really enjoy reading your ‘reveals’. They bring a smile to my face and breathe new life into the movies. Keep up the good work! Maybe you can organise a Lights Camera…Islington film festival at IAMS.
Thanks for this lovely comment, I am glad that my posts put a smile on your face! As for the festival, not a bad idea at all. I would lie if I said I had not thought about it although do not know yet how to do it: one venue only or a few across the borough, showing the film ‘on location’ would be indeed brilliant. Finding funding/sponsors to cover screening licences… Yes, would be good!
hi Mr X – i love that movie, and the book was fun too. You are so sharp-eyed at spotting these islington scenes. Nicola from http://islingtonfacesblog.com
Thanks for this Nicola!