Brush Strokes Filming Locations

Brush Strokes is a British sitcom written by Esmonde and Larbey, broadcast by the BBC between 1986 and 1991. Set in South London, the sitcom lasted for 6 series. Following the day to day live of a London painter called Jacko, played by legend Karl Howman. In this post we take a look at some of the filming locations used in the sitcom.

Due to the amount of elapsed time since filming, many of the locations have changed, making them extremely hard to identify and verify. Additionally there appears to be a lot of false information on the internet regarding locations used. As such, if you can help identify any of the locations shown in the bottom half of this page, or if you know of any other locations used for filming, please get in touch or comment below.

From the locations found so far the majority of filming locations were in Bournemouth, London and Birmingham with a couple exceptions such as Birmingham.

Verified Brush Stokes Filming Locations

L.H. Bainbridge

The location of L.H. Bainbridge is a key location seen throughout the sitcom. Unfortunately the location of Bainbridge’s has undergone significant redevelopment over the years and been turned into houses. The location used was on St Margaret’s Rd, London W7 2PP. The houses and roads on Billets Hart Close now stand where Bainbridge’s offices used to stand. A huge thank you to Lynn in the comments for identifying this location 🙂

The approximate location of Bainbridge’s is show below.

Splosh

Later in the series Jacko sets up on his own and hires a premises directly opposite L.H. Bainbridge. This was just behind the above street view, shown below.

Similarly to Bainbridge’s, Splosh has since been redeveloped. It was located on the corner of St Margaret’s Road and St Mark’s Road as shown below.

Series 3 Episode 1

Quite on obvious one this, but these scenes were filmed outside The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

Series 6 Episode 1

In Series 6 Episode one, the Jacko and Eric are painting the outside of Pour Moi.

The location used for these scenes was 781 and 779 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, BH7 6AW. As of 2021 Cerise Antiques is Angela’s and Pour Moi is The Factory shop as shown below.

Series 3 Episode 7

Friends and family gather at St Johns Church for the wedding of Jacko and Sandra. [Spoiler alert, it didn’t all quite go as expected.]

The church used for filming was St Johns Church, Hyde Park Cres, Tyburnia, London W2 2QD.
The same church was used in Series 4 Episode 1.

Series 4 Episode 6

Business is going well for Jacko, but he feels something is missing. While out for a meal he remembers Julie and decides to track her down. He starts by going to her former work. This was filmed at Charles House in Birmingham.

Charles House, 148 Great Charles Street. Queensway, Birmingham B3 3HT

Julie’s Cottage

Jacko tracks down Julie at her cottage on the Isle of Wight where he finds out she is now married.

Brighstone Cottage, Brookside, Brighstone, Isle Of Wight, PO30 4DZ

Series 5 Episode 1

Jacko returns from an impromptu holiday only to find out Lionel has passed away and its the day of his funeral.

Lionel’s Funeral was held at Bournemouth Crematorium Strouden Ave, Bournemouth BH8 9HX

BCP Council Civic Centre, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY

Series 6 Episode 1

Series 6 starts with Jacko, Sandra, Eric, Jean, Elmo and Paulette visiting Giles and Gloria at their estate and mansion.

This was filmed at Breamore House, Breamore, Fordingbridge SP6 2DF.

In the below show we see Elmo arriving with Paulette onto the estate. This was also filmed on the estate of Breamore House.

Series 6 Episode 4

At the start of the episode we see Jacko and Eric driving in the van on the way to work. They pass Abbey National, Deardens and Stuart’s Fruiterers as shown below.

This was filmed on Wimborne Rd, Bournemouth. While Abbey National and Stuart’s Fruiterer’s have gone, Dearden’s Newsagent remains.

Jacko then asks Eric to pull over outside Halifax while he pops into a pet shop to pick up a budgie as a present for Lynn.

This was also filmed on the same street (335-337 Wimborne Rd) and remains a Halifax to this day.

In the episode we see Sandra, Jacko, Veronica Bainbridge and Marcello Morella go for a meal at La Terrazza. I believe this was previously located on Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth. This has also been confirmed by a visitor to this site Rich M. (Thank you Rich).

Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth

At the end of the episode we Gloria join in with Lynn’s football match. Jacko is drawn in as the ref and Eric running the line.

These scenes were filmed on Redhill Common. The changing rooms block in the photo has been demolished but it was sited at the end of Ashton Road in Bournemouth. In a slightly older Google Street view shown below, the changing rooms are still present. These scenes were shot just the other side of the changing rooms. A huge thank you to Rich M for identifying this location.

Series 6 Episode 7

After the deal fell through for a new owner of Bainbridge’s, Eric and Jacko ironically find themselves painting the job centre.

This was filmed at 185 Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1JU. The job centre has long since gone from this location and is currently occupied by The Coconut Tree.

Locations still to be found and verified

I am still working on identifying the key Brush Strokes filming locations. If you can help with any of the below please let met know.

Pub

Do you know where Elmo’s pub is located? The outside is rarely shown throughout the sitcom but here are a few snaps of it.

Sandra’s Flat

Another location not see to often is Sandra’s flat. Next to what looks like a newsagent and opposite Coles Builders Ltd.

Lionel’s Home

Again rarely seen from the outside, this was a shot filmed as part of his funeral episode.

Series 1 Episode 1

The first paint job we see Jacko and Eric on in the very first episode. While unloading Jacko gets a ticket from a not so friendly traffic warden.

Later in the episode, Jacko for his sins and Eric get sent to paint the outside of a convent.

Series 1 Episode 2

In episode two of the first series Jacko gets his first encounter with Lesley while she is playing tennis. Do you recognise the tennis courts?

After a drink in the pub Jacko escorts Sandra to the bus stop, sending her into a restaurant while he goes to see his newly made nun friend who he pots coming out of a car hire shop.

Series 2 Episode 2

After having a meal we see Jacko and Sandra flag down a taxi to go back to her place.

From leaving Sandra’s and going home, Lesley approaches Jacko in her car. Judging by the ‘Save The Children’ shop in these sets of shots and the one above with Sandra, it is the same location.

Series 2 Episode 4

Jacko and Eric are painting the clubhouse, and during a tea break are cheering on Linda, Gillian and the rest of the cricket team. Does anyone know what ground this is?

Series 3 Episode 1

Jacko drops Francesca of at her home via a lift of the back of the milk float. Francesca is played by Pippa Haywood who also plays the role of Gillian in Series 2 Episode 4.

Series 3 Episode 5

Jacko bumps into Veronica outside the takeaway on his way to the pub.

Series 4 Episode 2

At the end of the episode we see Jacko returning home after not marrying Sandra. Upon getting out of his car he is approached by Lesley who’s convinced he couldn’t marry Sandra because he is in love with her.

Series 5 Episode 2

Early in this episode and also used in the opening scenes of all episodes we see Jacko chat up a Police Woman. Do you recognise this High Street?

Series 6 Episode 1

Jacko pays a visit to Mr Morella’s house.

Series 6 Episode 2

At the start of the episode we see Maud take Jacko home to Jean and Eric’s house where he also lives.

Series 6 Episode 7

We get another glimpse of Eric and Jean’s in daylight. Do you know the location?

Can you help?

if you can help identify any of the locations shown in the bottom half of this page, or if you know of any other locations used for filming, please get in touch or comment below.