Fictional location file · 5 cases

Badger's Drift

Badger's Drift is a fictional Midsomer village. Scenes in its linked episodes were filmed at Little Missenden, Bledlow, Thame, Wallingford, Beaconsfield, Great Haseley, Watlington, Chesham, Long Crendon, Old Amersham, Copenhagen.

The fictional village of Badger's Drift appears in 5 Midsomer Murders cases, from The Killings at Badger's Drift to The Killings of Copenhagen. Its screen identity sits among landmark, dark, classic, eccentric stories. Explore the linked episodes below to follow the village through the series.

AI-generated illustration · fictional setting, not a photograph.

Is Midsomer a real place? Explore the fictional county and real filming villages →

Where was it filmed?

These real places appear in this village’s linked episodes. One building may stand for part of the fictional village.

Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow, Buckinghamshire · The Killings at Badger's Drift
The parish church becomes the church of fictional Badger's Drift.
Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow, Buckinghamshire · Death's Shadow
The church returns as the parish church of Badger's Drift.
St Peter's Church, Great Haseley, Oxfordshire · Midsomer Rhapsody
The church appears as the parish church of Badger's Drift.
The Swan Inn, Islip, Oxfordshire · Midsomer Rhapsody
The inn becomes the local pub in Badger's Drift.
Swallowfield Park, Reading, Berkshire · Midsomer Rhapsody
The country house represents Cedar Oaks Nursing Home.
High Street shopfront, Watlington, Oxfordshire · Midsomer Rhapsody
The shop is dressed as Harvey Crane's Antiques.
Long Crendon Manor, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire · The Axeman Cometh
The property returns under the fictional identity Badger's Hall.
Market Square, Chesham, Buckinghamshire · The Axeman Cometh
The square supplies the town exteriors around the Midsomer Rocks festival.
The Maltings, Amersham, Buckinghamshire · The Killings of Copenhagen
The building's exterior becomes Calder's Biscuit Factory.
Kempton Park Steam Museum, Feltham, Greater London · The Killings of Copenhagen
The industrial interior supplies the inside of Calder's biscuit bakery.
Foxwarren Park, Wisley, Surrey · The Killings of Copenhagen
The country house appears as the Calder family home.
Palace Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark · The Killings of Copenhagen
The hotel appears as itself in the Copenhagen opening sequence.
Amalienborg, Copenhagen, Denmark · The Killings of Copenhagen
The palace square appears as itself during the Danish investigation.
Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark · The Killings of Copenhagen
The canal and waterfront appear as themselves in the location filming.
Politigården, Copenhagen, Denmark · The Killings of Copenhagen
Copenhagen Police Headquarters is used as the Danish police station.
Nivå Kirke, Nivå, Denmark · The Killings of Copenhagen
The church appears under the fictional identity Klausted Church.

Episode recordCasebook interpretationVerified filming linkOriginal fan art

Casebook interpretation

Welcome to Badger's Drift

The archetypal Midsomer village: clipped hedges, watchful neighbours and old confidences sitting just beneath an immaculate surface.

Its repeated appearances make it feel less like a backdrop and more like the county's original warning that beauty and safety are not the same thing.

Why fans remember it: Launching the television series and returning whenever the programme wants to revisit its darkest, most traditional village atmosphere.

Editorial interpretation Fictional setting; real filming places appear below.

What the Casebook has on file

At a glance

These details describe the fictional setting seen on screen.

Cases: 5
On-screen years: 1997–2014
Barnaby era: Tom Barnaby + John Barnaby
Detective: DCI Tom Barnaby · DCI John Barnaby
Investigating partner: DS Gavin Troy · DS Dan Scott · DS Ben Jones · DS Charlie Nelson
Casebook tone: Landmark · Dark · Classic · Eccentric

Stories set here