Where Was Motherland Filmed In London

The Cast Of BBC's Motherland.

If you haven't seen Motherland, where have you been?

First blessing our screens back in 2016, much-loved BBC sitcom Motherland (written by Bad Sisters star, Sharon Horgan and Father Ted co-creator, Graham Linehan) explores the trials, tribulations and outright messiness that comes with being a middle-class mum trying to navigate their way through parenthood. 

The show follows the lives of Julia Johnstone (Anna Maxwell Martin), a working mother of two with a seemingly absent husband called Paul (Oliver Chris), a northern and slightly bonkers mum called Liz (Diane Morgan) and Kevin Brady (Paul Ready), the stay at home dad. They all find themselves interacting with the local mothers' meet-up group, which is headed by the infamous Amanda (Lucy Punch) - also known as the 'alpha mum'. Although Motherland came to end in December of 2022, fans are now excited about the brand-new spin off series Amandaland, which is set to air on BBC from 5th February 2025.

So where was Motherland filmed? If you add up a show full of chaotic yummy mummies, pompous mum's groups and a shop selling tote bags, it all points to one place: West London (with a bit of North London sprinkled in between).

Where Was Motherland Filmed? 

Where was Julia's House Filmed?

Despite being an events planner, Julia struggles to keep her day to day life in order. In the first episode of season one, Julia's mum tells her she can no longer help with childcare. She then decides to throw a party for her daughter's ninth birthday as a ploy to try and bag herself some birthday party invites in the future - with the hope it results in free childcare.

This laugh-out-loud episode was set at Julia's House which was filmed at Avenue Gardens in South Acton, which we see continuously throughout the series. 

Where Was The Cafe Filmed? 

We are first introduced to the 'alpha mums' in the pilot episode, when Julia overhears a group of mums talking about how they all look out for each other. Julia encourages her children to play with Amanda's children, to see whether she can get some free childcare out of it.

The iconic cafe was filmed at a restaurant called Korto in Muswell Hill and is the first time we're introduced to Amanda in the show - what a diva.

Amanda, Julia, Kevin, Anne and Liz From Motherland Talking Around A Table At A Cafe.

Could this cafe in Muswell Hill be anymore iconic?

Where Were The School Scenes Filmed?

Southfield Primary School in Bedford Park was used as the exterior of the kids' school, where Julia was famously always dropping her children off late (no thanks to her husband, Paul). Other areas used for filming these scenes were Hammersmith, West Kilburn, Hanwell, Ladbroke Grove and Harlesden. 

Other Iconic Motherland Filming Spots:

  • Season 1, Episode 3 (Pool Party) - Mallison Sports Centre in Highgate and Charing Cross Sports Club in Hammermsmith
  • Season 2, Episode 6 (Good Job) - Southfield Recreation Ground in Bedford Park
  • Season 3, Episode 1 (Nit Blitz) - Springfield Gardens near Acton Mainline
  • Christmas Special 2020 - Park scenes were filmed in Acton Park, near Acton Vale

Where Was Amandaland Filmed?

The much-anticipated Amandaland is landing on BBC iPlayer on February 5th, 2025. A now-divorced Amanda is navigating her way through parenting teenagers and downsizing to a smaller house in South Harlesden - her worst nightmare. Joanna Lumley is also set to reprise her role as Amanda's snobbish and catty mother, Felicity.

Despite being set in the Borough of Brent, most of Amandaland filming took place in Islington, Angel and Muswell Hill. They've even filmed scenes in parts of Surrey and Oxfordshire.

Want to know where your other favourite BBC programmes are filmed? Check out the filming locations for The Apprentice and The Traitors.