A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a gripping Netflix and BBC series adaptation of Holly Jackson’s bestselling YA novel, released in July 2024 on BBC Three and August 2024 on Netflix worldwide. Starring Emma Myers as the determined teen investigator Pip Fitz-Amobi, the story unfolds in the fictional English town of Little Kilton. While the US edition of the book places events in Fairview, Connecticut, the series relocates it to a quintessentially British setting to enhance authenticity. Central to the plot is Fairview High School, reimagined as Little Kilton School, where pivotal events tied to a five-year-old murder case play out. This location anchors Pip’s reinvestigation of Andie Bell’s disappearance and the subsequent suicide of her boyfriend Sal Singh, blending suspense with high school drama.
The Scene
In the series, Fairview High School serves as the heartbeat of Little Kilton’s social and investigative dynamics. Pip, undertaking her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), delves into the Andie Bell case, interviewing classmates and uncovering secrets within the school’s corridors. Flashbacks reveal Andie and Sal’s relationship amid teenage pressures, with the murder allegedly occurring during their time there. Classrooms, hallways, and grounds host tense confrontations, evidence discoveries, and group interactions, including Pip’s friendships and rivalries. The school embodies the facade of normalcy hiding dark truths, amplifying themes of rumor, bullying, and hidden motives that drive Pip’s quest for justice.
The Real Filming Location
Redmaids’ High School in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, portrayed Fairview High School. Located at Westbury Road, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3AW, United Kingdom, this independent day school for girls features traditional architecture ideal for period authenticity. Its senior school and sixth form buildings provided interiors and exteriors, capturing the essence of a British secondary school. Filming integrated it into Bristol’s diverse locations, contributing to Little Kilton’s sleepy town vibe alongside shops and caves. Redmaids’ predates the production, established as a historic educational institution.
Why This Location Was Chosen
Producers selected Redmaids’ High School for its quintessential British school aesthetic, aligning with the series’ shift from the book’s US setting to England. Its red-brick buildings, spacious grounds, and period features evoked the ideal backdrop for a murder mystery in a close-knit community, mirroring Little Kilton’s atmosphere. Bristol’s proximity to other sites like Axbridge facilitated efficient production logistics. The school’s real-world status as a high-achieving girls’ institution paralleled the academic pressures on characters like Pip, enhancing narrative immersion without major set builds. Specific production statements on selection remain limited in available sources.
Visiting the Location
Redmaids’ High School operates as a private institution, so public access is restricted to open days, events, or pre-arranged tours. Visitors can view the exterior from Westbury Road, appreciating its elegant facade amid leafy surroundings. Westbury-on-Trym offers nearby amenities like independent shops, cafes, and Blaise Castle Estate for walks. Public transport includes Bristol buses; parking is available on surrounding streets. Respect school boundaries and privacy—photography from public areas is fine, but entry requires permission. Bristol’s vibrant scene, with sites like Clifton Suspension Bridge 10 minutes away, makes it a worthwhile day trip for fans exploring A Good Girl’s Guide trails.
