ETA:higher-res see this post

Spotting a Vale landmark pub in Sherlock is… ‘elementary, my dear Watson!’

Friday, 13 January 2012

THERE cannot have been many Vale residents who failed to spot the Bush Inn in St Hilary as they watched last Sunday’s episode of Sherlock. The pub was featured heavily in the episode, a reworking of the famous Hound of the Baskervilles story – as a country pub, The Cross Keys, on the edge of Dartmoor.

The pub’s thatched roof clearly attracted the cameraman, with several lingering shots, and scenes were shot both outside and inside The Bush.

Liz Silva-Hooker, who runs the pub with her husband Andy, told The GEM: “Filming took place last May and the production company were a joy to work with. “We didn’t even have to close the pub, we carried on serving customers through the six days that they were here.

“We weren’t sure how much screen time we would get, so we were delighted with what was broadcast. I am updating the pub’s website now to let everyone know.” For plot purposes, the pub restaurant was vegetarian, and pictures of Dartmoor were put up on walls inside the pub, but hardly anything else was changed.

Liz said: “Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were both really charming, and it was a really enjoyable week.

“Benedict seems to be just as eccentric in real life as his character is. The show’s producer, Sue Vertue, was lovely, and she often let us get a close-up look at the production process.

“I thought they made the whole village look beautiful, as there were scenes shot in the churchyard as well.”

Surprisingly, at the time the shooting was taking place, no one leaked the news to the local press. Clearly, the villagers in St Hilary are the soul of discretion!

Liz said: “One funny thing was the final scene last Sunday, when Sherlock and Dr Watson were discussing the case over breakfast.

“Andy had to make 17 breakfasts as they had a number of retakes – so we are considering introducing our all-day Baskerville breakfast!”