If you’ve ever watched an episode of Midsomer Murders and thought, "I’d love to live there, despite the staggeringly high homicide rate," you aren't alone. There is something deeply hypnotic about those thatched cottages, the perfectly manicured cricket greens, and those ancient stone churches. Of course, Midsomer County doesn't actually exist on a map of England. You won't find it tucked between Berkshire and Hampshire, no matter how hard you look.
But the "Midsomer" look is very real. Honestly, the show has become a sort of unofficial tourism board for the Chiltern Hills and the surrounding river valleys. For over 25 years, film crews have basically lived in the villages of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. They’ve turned local pubs into crime scenes and transformed sleepy town halls into the headquarters for DCI Barnaby’s latest investigation.
So, where is Midsomer Mysteries filmed? Let's get into the actual locations where you can walk the streets without (hopefully) tripping over a body.
The Real Capital of Midsomer: Wallingford as Causton
If there is a "heart" to the show, it’s Wallingford in Oxfordshire. In the Midsomer universe, the main town is called Causton. While the show uses bits and pieces of different towns to represent Causton, Wallingford is the most recognizable.
You’ve definitely seen the Market Place. It’s where the Barnabys—both Tom and John—often do their shopping or meet for a tense coffee. The Corn Exchange in the town center is a massive landmark for fans because it doubles as the Causton Playhouse. It’s a Grade II listed building that’s actually a community-run theatre and cinema in real life.
One of the funniest things about filming in Wallingford happened during Series 18 in an episode called "Breaking the Chain." The producers actually used the real-life Wallingford Festival of Cycling as a backdrop. They just threw the actors into the middle of a real competitive race. It gave the episode a level of frantic energy that’s hard to fake.
Thame: The Town Hall You Know
Just a short drive from Wallingford is Thame, another heavy hitter in the filming schedule. If you stand in front of the Thame Town Hall, you’re looking at what the show frequently uses as the exterior for the Causton Town Hall.
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The production team loves Thame because it has that classic "market town" feel that hasn't changed much in a century. They’ve used the local museum, various tea rooms, and the Players Theatre. Basically, if a scene involves a character walking down a high street looking suspicious, there is a 50/50 chance they are in Thame.
A Quick Reality Check on Geography
Don't try to navigate these places based on the show's internal logic. In one episode, a character might leave a house in Little Missenden (Buckinghamshire) and "drive around the corner" to a pub that is actually in Warborough (Oxfordshire), which is a good 45-minute drive away. The geography of Midsomer is a total lie, but it’s a beautiful one.
The Villages You See in Every Opening Credit
The "vibe" of Midsomer—the part that feels like a postcard—usually comes from a few specific villages that the scouts return to over and over again.
- Warborough (Oxfordshire): This is a huge one. The village green here is iconic. If you visit, you’ll see The Six Bells pub. In the show, this often doubles as The Black Swan in the fictional village of Badger’s Drift. It’s a 16th-century thatched pub that looks exactly like you think a British pub should.
- The Lee (Buckinghamshire): This is often cited as the "prettiest village in England," and the Midsomer scouts clearly agree. It has served as the primary filming site for Badger’s Drift in several episodes. The village green and the surrounding cottages are essentially the blueprint for the entire series.
- Little Missenden: This tiny spot has appeared in more than 10 episodes. It’s where you’ll find the cottage used as Mrs. Rainbird’s bungalow in the very first episode, "The Killings at Badger's Drift."
Stately Homes and Peculiar Landmarks
Midsomer wouldn't be Midsomer without a grand manor house owned by a dysfunctional family with a dark secret.
Dorney Court in Buckinghamshire is a frequent flyer. It’s a stunning Tudor manor house that has been used as various hotels and ancestral seats. Then there is Chenies Manor, which has those incredible chimneys you see in the background of many "upper-class" murders.
One of the most unique locations ever used was the Bekonscot Model Village in Beaconsfield. In the episode "Small Mercies," a victim was found tied down in the model village like a modern-day Gulliver. It’s a real place you can visit, and yes, it’s just as charming (and slightly eerie) as it looks on screen.
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Following the Midsomer Trail
If you’re actually planning a trip to see where Midsomer Mysteries is filmed, the local councils have made it pretty easy for you. They’ve realized that people from all over the world—especially Scandinavia and Australia, where the show is massive—want to see these spots.
There are two main "Midsomer Driving Trails" you can follow.
- The Northern Trail: This one loops through Dorchester-on-Thames, Wallingford, Watlington, and Thame. It’s great if you want to see the "town" side of the show. Watlington Library is a must-stop here; it’s the real-life location of the Causton Library.
- The Southern Trail: This focuses more on the riverside and the greenery. It takes you through Henley-on-Thames, Nettlebed, and Mapledurham.
Henley-on-Thames is worth a special mention. While famous for the Royal Regatta, it has been used for countless scenes. The Henley Bridge and the various shops along the water are staples of the show.
Why Do They Keep Filming There?
You might wonder why they don't branch out. Why not film in the Cotswolds or Devon?
Logistics. The production offices for Midsomer Murders have historically been based at Bentley Priory or nearby studios in the Home Counties. Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire offer a huge variety of "old world" looks within a 30-mile radius of London. It’s easier to move a 50-person film crew to a village in the Chilterns than to haul them across the country.
Plus, the light in the Chilterns has a specific quality that the cinematographers love. It’s that soft, golden-hour glow that makes a murder by a cricket bat look almost elegant.
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Practical Tips for Your Midsomer Pilgrimage
If you’re going to hunt down these locations, keep a few things in mind. Honestly, these are quiet, living villages. People actually live in those thatched cottages, and they probably won't appreciate you peering through their windows to see if there's a body in the parlor.
- Check Opening Times: Many of the churches (like Holy Trinity in Bledlow) are open to the public, but they are active places of worship. Check the parish calendars before you barge in with a camera.
- Parking is a Nightmare: Villages like Dorchester-on-Thames were built for horses, not SUVs. Use the designated car parks and walk. It’s the best way to see the details anyway.
- The Pubs are Real: Unlike many TV sets, the pubs are functioning businesses. Grab a pint at The Six Bells in Warborough or The Bull & Butcher in Turville. It’s the best way to soak up the atmosphere.
Turville is actually a "two-for-one" location. Not only has it been in Midsomer Murders, but it’s also the village from The Vicar of Dibley and was used in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
What to Do Next
If you want to dive deeper into the specific houses used in each episode, your best bet is to check out the Midsomer Murders Society or the official Visit Midsomer website. They keep an exhaustive, almost obsessive, list of every single house and barn used since 1997.
The next time you sit down to watch an episode, keep an eye out for the Wallingford Town Hall or the Henley Bridge. Knowing the real names of these places doesn't ruin the magic; it just makes the world of Midsomer feel a little more tangible.
Start by mapping out a route through South Oxfordshire. Pick three villages—say, Warborough, Dorchester, and Wallingford—and spend a day exploring. Just maybe avoid any village fetes or "Perfect Village" competitions while you're there. You know how those usually end.