The Surprising Truth: 7 Iconic Locations Where The 'Carry On' Films Were Shot (Including The 2024 Netflix Update)
The answer to "where was Carry On filmed" is a fascinating tale of low-budget genius, cinematic trickery, and a very short drive from London. For decades, the beloved British comedy franchise, which spanned 31 films from 1958 to 1992, managed to transport audiences to the jungles of India, the deserts of Egypt, and the beaches of the Mediterranean, all while rarely leaving a small radius around its home base: Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. This ingenious use of local English countryside, stately homes, and studio backlots is a core part of the series' enduring charm and its financial success, a formula that kept the laughs coming without the cost of international travel. This article, updated for late December 2025, delves into the specific and often surprising locations used for the classic series, while also clarifying the location of the *new* 2024 Netflix thriller that shares the name, Carry-On.
The vast majority of the classic Carry On series’ interiors and many exteriors were shot at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. This central location allowed the producers to reuse sets, keep the core cast and crew close, and maintain the famously tight production schedules. The true magic lies in how the production team transformed familiar English landscapes—from Welsh mountains to local parks—into exotic, far-flung destinations, a testament to the resourcefulness of the era's filmmaking.
The Home of Hilarity: Pinewood Studios and the Buckinghamshire Triangle
The geographical heart of the entire Carry On franchise is undeniably Pinewood Studios. Located in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, the studio complex provided the sound stages for all the intricate interior sets, from hospital wards to Roman baths. However, the external filming locations rarely ventured far from the studio gates, forming what fans often call the "Buckinghamshire Triangle" of filming.
The areas immediately surrounding Pinewood—including Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead—were frequently used for street scenes, hospitals, and homes. This proximity was a non-negotiable part of the production’s low-cost model. For example, many of the suburban street scenes in films like *Carry On Cabby* (1963) were filmed in the streets of Windsor and even at the original Terminal Three at Heathrow Airport for a brief airport sequence.
The Most Famous Local Locations:
- Cliveden House, Berkshire: This magnificent stately home near Maidenhead was a popular choice for grand exterior shots, often standing in for the homes of upper-class characters. It was notably used in *Carry On – Don't Lose Your Head* (1967).
- Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire: The exterior of this grand Rothschild house was used as the French château in *Carry On – Don't Lose Your Head*, showcasing the crew’s ability to turn a local landmark into an international setting.
- The Pinewood Orchard: Perhaps the most famous piece of Pinewood’s backlot is the orchard, which was transformed into the chaotic "Paradise Camp" in the iconic *Carry On Camping* (1969). The entire camping sequence, a fan favourite, was shot here, making the orchard one of the most famous (and accessible) *Carry On* locations.
Exotic Locales on a Budget: How the Carry Ons Faked the World
One of the great running gags of the Carry On series was its ability to convincingly fake foreign lands using domestic British locations. The team never travelled as far afield as New York, Paris, or Queensland, despite the plots often requiring it.
1. Snowdonia, North Wales: The Khyber Pass
In what is considered one of the series' greatest comedies, *Carry On Up the Khyber* (1968), the production needed a convincing stand-in for the North-West Frontier of India. The solution was Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The rugged, mountainous terrain of Snowdonia, particularly the lower section of the Watkin Path near Caernarfon, was used to depict the imposing Khyber Pass. This location, the furthest the *Carry On* team ever travelled from Pinewood, perfectly captured the epic scale required for the historical comedy.
2. Chobham Common, Surrey: Ancient Egypt
For the highly successful *Carry On Cleo* (1964), the majority of the elaborate Roman and Egyptian sets were filmed on the Pinewood sound stages. Remarkably, the production benefited from a colossal stroke of luck: they were able to reuse the enormous, detailed sets originally built for the ill-fated Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton epic, *Cleopatra*, which had been abandoned in London before being moved to Rome. For the exterior desert scenes, the team chose the sandy, open landscape of Chobham Common in Surrey, which provided a surprisingly effective backdrop for Ancient Egypt without the need for an expensive trip abroad.
3. Brighton, East Sussex: The Seaside Resort
While many seaside scenes were faked, *Carry On Girls* (1973) did venture to the coast, using the popular resort town of Brighton. Specific scenes were filmed on the famous Brighton Beach, near the Palace Pier, and outside the Clarges Hotel. This provided an authentic, bustling backdrop for the film's beauty contest plot, grounding the comedy in a real, recognisable British holiday setting.
The New Era: Where the Netflix 'Carry-On' Was Filmed (2024 Update)
The most current answer to "where was Carry On filmed" involves a completely different production: the 2024 Netflix action-thriller titled *Carry-On*, starring Taron Egerton. This film is set almost entirely within the confines of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but in a classic case of cinematic misdirection, the production was shot thousands of miles away.
The 2024 movie *Carry-On* was primarily filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana. Specifically, the production used a decommissioned terminal at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The director, Jaume Collet-Serra, explained that using a closed-down terminal in New Orleans provided the space, control, and authenticity needed to convincingly portray the busy LAX without having to shut down a working major airport.
This modern production, while sharing a name with the classic British comedies, highlights a similar principle: finding a local, cost-effective location that can convincingly double for a much more famous, difficult-to-film setting.
The Legacy of Low-Budget Filming and Topical Entities
The *Carry On* series’ reliance on a small, local filming radius is not just a budget constraint; it’s a defining characteristic of the entire franchise. This approach allowed the films to be produced quickly and cheaply, often with a core repertory company of actors—including Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, and Charles Hawtrey—who became synonymous with the series. The locations themselves became entities in the *Carry On* universe, instantly recognisable to a dedicated audience.
The following entities are central to the history and filming of the Carry On film series:
- Pinewood Studios
- Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire
- Snowdonia National Park
- Watkin Path, North Wales
- Chobham Common, Surrey
- Cliveden House, Berkshire
- Waddesdon Manor
- Brighton Palace Pier
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Taron Egerton (star of the 2024 film)
- Jaume Collet-Serra (director of the 2024 film)
- Carry On Up the Khyber (1968)
- Carry On Camping (1969)
- Carry On Cleo (1964)
- Carry On Cabby (1963)
- Carry On Girls (1973)
- Sid James
- Kenneth Williams
- Barbara Windsor
- Peter Rogers (Producer)
- Gerald Thomas (Director)
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