All Of Us Strangers – House on Purley Downs Road

The house on Purley Downs Road in South Croydon served as the central filming location for Adam’s childhood home in the 2023 film All of Us Strangers, directed by Andrew Haigh. This modest property in the Sanderstead area of Greater London became the emotional heart of the story, where protagonist Adam, played by Andrew Scott, returns to confront memories of his past. The location’s authenticity stems from its personal significance to the director, who selected his own childhood home for its nostalgic resonance. Filming occurred here during the summer of 2022, with interiors redecorated to match Haigh’s recollections of the 1980s. Nearby areas like Limpsfield Road and Sanderstead Recreation Ground also featured in exterior shots, enhancing the suburban London atmosphere. The site’s coordinates align closely with 51.330495, -0.093585, placing it amid quiet residential streets ideal for intimate family scenes.

The Scene

In All of Us Strangers, the house on Purley Downs Road represents Adam’s childhood home, a place frozen in time where he encounters apparitions of his deceased parents. Adam, a lonely screenwriter, visits the empty property and finds his mother (Claire Foy) and father (Jamie Bell) alive as they appeared decades earlier, allowing him to revisit unresolved traumas from his youth. Key moments unfold in the living room, kitchen, and upstairs bedrooms, blending tender conversations with revelations about his sexuality and family dynamics. These supernatural interactions punctuate the film’s exploration of grief, love, and identity, contrasting the house’s warm, period-specific interiors with Adam’s stark modern apartment. The scenes culminate in emotional catharsis, underscoring the home’s role as a portal to the past.

The Real Filming Location

The actual filming location is a private residence on Purley Downs Road in South Croydon, part of the Sanderstead neighborhood just outside Croydon in Greater London, England. Specifically referenced as 151 Purley Downs Road in some records, it sits in a leafy suburban area with coordinates around 51.337769, -0.083664, near the user-provided 51.330495, -0.093585. This unassuming house, director Andrew Haigh’s childhood home, was transformed by production designers to evoke 1980s suburbia, complete with era-appropriate furnishings. Filming wrapped in August 2022 after starting in June under strict COVID protocols. Adjacent sites like Sanderstead Recreation Ground, with its playground and green spaces, and Limpsfield Road hosted exterior sequences, capturing the everyday tranquility of South London life.

Why This Location Was Chosen

Director Andrew Haigh chose his own childhood home on Purley Downs Road for its profound personal authenticity, infusing the film with genuine nostalgia and emotional depth. Haigh redecorated the interiors to mirror his memories, creating a tangible link to the story’s themes of loss and reconciliation. Actress Claire Foy noted the house’s familiarity, evoking typical British suburban homes from the era, which amplified the script’s intimacy without artificial sets. This rare decision by the director personalized the production, making the space a character in itself— a vessel for Adam’s ghostly reunions. Production favored the site’s seclusion for sensitive scenes, avoiding urban disruptions while leveraging nearby Sanderstead locales for seamless exteriors.

Visiting the Location

Purley Downs Road remains private residential property, so visitors must respect residents’ privacy by avoiding trespassing or disturbances. Access it via Purley or Sanderstead railway stations, a short walk from the site; National Rail services connect easily from London. The David Lean Cinema in nearby Croydon offers guided walking tours of All of Us Strangers locations, including Purley Downs Road, Sanderstead Station, Recreation Ground, and high street spots—typically two-hour ambles with limited spots. These tours highlight the film’s Sanderstead ties without entering homes. Public transport from central London via Victoria Line to Vauxhall or direct trains works well. Nearby amenities include Sanderstead’s parks for picnics, but photography should be discreet from public areas only.