Ealing Studios

Overview

Ealing Studios is a production facility in the London Borough of Ealing, operating continuously since 1902 and recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest working film studio on the planet. The site offers five sound stages totalling approximately 37,000 sq ft, production offices, workshops, and post-production spaces. The closest sound stages to central London, Ealing sits 15 to 20 minutes from Soho and Heathrow on the Elizabeth line.

In October 2025, Ealing completed a multi-million-pound expansion that added a 14,229 sq ft net zero carbon stage (Stage 1), two advanced workshops totalling 7,000 sq ft, and 25,500 sq ft of modern office space across the Balcon Building. The studio had bookings confirmed through March 2026 at the time of the launch. Productions that have shot at Ealing include Darkest Hour (2017), Downton Abbey (2019), Last Night in Soho (2021), Back to Black (2024), and The Bitter End (2025, directed by Mike Newell, starring Isabella Rossellini and Joan Collins).

History

Will Barker built the first studio on the Ealing Green site in 1902. The facility passed through several operators before Basil Dean established Associated Talking Pictures there in 1931. Michael Balcon took over as head of production in 1938 and over the next 17 years produced the comedies that gave the studio its identity: Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), Whisky Galore! (1949), Passport to Pimlico (1949), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The Man in the White Suit (1951), and The Ladykillers (1955). These films combined satire, eccentric characters, and an ambivalent affection for British institutions.

The BBC bought the studio in 1955 and used it for television production for decades. In 2000, a consortium led by Barnaby Thompson and Fragile Films purchased the site for a reported 10 million pounds, returning it to film and television production. Productions under the new ownership included The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), Valiant (2005), and later The Iron Lady (2011) and Burke and Hare (2010).

In November 2022, the US private equity firm Starwood Capital took a majority stake in the studios for 48.5 million pounds. A 20 million pound expansion plan followed, adding the new Stage 1 and Balcon Building. The expansion was designed by architects Create Design with air source heat pumps, solar panels, and an Art Deco aesthetic referencing the original 1930s architecture. Construction began in autumn 2023 and the official handover took place in October 2025.

Facilities

Sound Stages

Total stage area: approximately 37,000 sq ft.

Additional Space

• 25,500 sq ft of production offices across four floors in the Balcon Building (opened 2025)
• 7,000 sq ft of workshops (two units)
• 10,000 sq ft of refurbished existing production space
• Makeup and costume facilities, prop stores, and meeting spaces
• On-site cafe and planted terraces

Access

Ealing Studios is located on Ealing Green, within the London transport network. The Elizabeth line connects the area to Soho in approximately 15 to 20 minutes eastbound and Heathrow Airport in the same timeframe westbound. The studio's location within London means productions have direct access to the city's crew pool, post-production houses in Soho, and equipment rental companies without travelling outside the M25.

UK Tax Relief for Productions Shooting at Ealing

Productions based at Ealing Studios can access the UK's Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), which replaced the previous Film Tax Relief and High-End Television Tax Relief systems. The rates as of 2025/2026 are:

• 34% credit on qualifying UK expenditure for films and high-end television programmes (equivalent to 25.5% under the previous system)
• 53% credit for independent films with core costs below 23.5 million pounds (Enhanced AVEC, available from 1 April 2025)
• 39% credit for visual effects costs on films and HETV productions (additional VFX credit, available from 1 January 2025, exempt from the 80% cap on total core costs)

To qualify, productions must be certified as British by the BFI (via the cultural test or a co-production treaty) and at least 10% of core costs must relate to UK activities. The VFX credit applies only to productions claiming the standard 34% rate, not the Enhanced AVEC for independent films.

Full details are available on the GOV.UK AVEC guidance page and the BFI certification page.

What Filmmakers Should Know

Ealing Studios is suited to television drama, independent features, and commercial productions that need a London base without the scale or cost of Pinewood or Shepperton. The largest stage (Stage 1 at 14,229 sq ft) can accommodate moderate-sized sets, but productions requiring very large builds or water tanks will need to look at facilities outside London. The Grade II listed stages (2, 3, and 4) have restricted modification options due to heritage protections, which affects what rigging and structural changes can be made.

The studio's location inside London is its primary practical advantage. Crew, cast, post-production, and equipment are all within a short journey, and the Elizabeth line connection to Heathrow makes international arrivals straightforward. The trade-off is limited backlot space compared to rural or suburban studio complexes.

For budgeting purposes, stage rental rates at Ealing are not publicly listed and are negotiated per production. Producers should contact the studio directly via ealingstudios.com for availability and pricing.

Recent Output / 2025 Productions

Ealing Studios hosted multiple productions across 2024 and 2025. The facility does not produce films itself but rents stages to production companies. Recent productions include:

The October 2025 expansion added 14,229 sq ft of new stage space and 25,500 sq ft of offices. Bookings were confirmed through March 2026 at the time of the launch. The studio reports strong demand from both film and high-end television productions seeking a central London base.

Watch: Trailers & Behind the Scenes

See Also

For understanding how UK production facilities and incentives work, see Budget Breakdown for Independent Films. To model production costs against UK tax relief, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. For comparison with other UK studio facilities, see the Industry Directory.