Just Good Friends is a British television sitcom that aired from 1983 to 1986. Created by the legend that is John Sullivan. The series revolves around the lives of Vince Pinner, portrayed by Paul Nicholas, and Penny Warrender, played by Jan Francis, his former fiancée who he left stranded at the church on the day of their wedding.
It will well referenced that most filming locations used for Just Good Friends outside of the studio were in and around Southend. For the ones I have currently located, it is highly likely that they are also in or around the same area.
Locations Found
Warrender’s Household
The Werrender’s House seen throughout Series 1 – 3 is located on Daines Way, Thorpe Bay in Southend. During the 1984 Christmas Special Movie another house was used as their previous home.
The Shepard & Dog
Appearing in a few episodes was this quaint pub as shown in the images below. The location used for these scenes was The Shepard & Dog, Gore Rd, Ballards Gore, Rochford SS4 2DA. Whilst it has changed somewhat over the years, it is still recognisable and its 15 minutes of fame is well known by the long term regulars that frequent the pub.
The Church
In the movie, the 1984 Christmas Special, we step back in time to when Vince and Penny first meet. We also see the church that was supposed to be their wedding venue.
Despite the church sign in the episode saying the name St Peters, the name of the church was actually St Nicholas’s. Located on Common Road, Great Wakering.
The Ice Cream Park
Again in the movie we see Penny and Caroline go for a walk in the park. Whilst talking about Vince they stumble upon him in his ice cream van.
These scenes were filed at Southchurch Park in Southend On Sea.
The Huntsman & Hounds – Series 2 Episode 2
In Series 2 Episode 2 the pub, The Huntsman & Hounds is scene.
This location has been confirmed by one of the visitors to this site (thank you Nina), as being filmed at The Huntsmans & Hounds, Green Ln, Althorne, Chelmsford CM3 6BJ.
Fielding’s Restaurant – Series 2 Episode 3
Fielding’s Vegetarian Restaurant was filmed on The Broadway, Thorpe Bay. Whilst the restaurant is long gone it is now a Home Made Bakery (162 The Broadway Thorpe Bay Broad Way).
To Be Located
Steak Bar – Series 1 Episode 1
Vince and Penny bump into each other in a pub with a restaurant (Steak Bar) upstairs.
The Weir – Series 2 Episode 3
At the start of this episode we see Penny and Vince rowing on what looks like a river. In the background there is a pub called The Weir. After rowing across the lake we also see Penny and Vince visit the pub. Does anyone recognise this location?
Eddie Brown Turf Accountants – Series 1 Episode 7
During the episode Vince comes out of his job as Assistant Manager at Eddie Brown Turd Accountants to be approached by police about Penny and his apartment being broken into. Does anyone recognise this location?
Old Warrender’s Household
In the film, a different location is used as the Warrender’s household. Likely in or near to Southend on Sea.
Kings Arms
From the movie, we see Les Pinner try and track down Vince who has not turned up at the church. We see him come out of this pub below, signposted Kings Arms.
Biker Venue
In the movie Penny and Vince attending a Bikers Party. The inside scenes were filmed in High Society on Southend Esplanade. However, a different location was used for the external shots.
The Royal National Insurance Company
In the movie we see Penny working at The Royal National Insurance Company. The below images are from both inside and outside the location. Does anyone recognise where this is? Likely to be in Southend or surrounding area.
Other Various Locations
The below are some other locations that pop up during the series. Do you recognise any of these?
If you know of any of the locations not currently identified above, or any others from either the series or movie please comment below.
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I can confirm that the Huntsman and hounds in Althorne was in an episode of Just Good Friends.
The pub has been run by my family for 42 years. I remember as a child the filming at the pub.
Hi Nina. Many thanks for confirming this location. I have added this to the post and moved it up into the found locations. Huge thanks for this information.
Hi we hope you don’t mind us sending this message but we are fans of the show and we are coming to Southend in few weeks to go round filming locations, we wondered if you know we’re they fimed the boating scene and the weir pub.
I remember my girlfriend and I ( now my wife) couldn’t drive down Sackville road because of filming just good friends. It was dark and lighting was on for filming. I think this was the other home for Penny. My parents lived in Arlington road nearby.
The photo of the ice cream van ( front view) shows the road sign that reads Boston Ave which is a road in Southend.
Lovely article. I interviewed the production designer David Hitchcock for the 2021 Only Fools book Lovely Jubbly, and I had to ask about Just Good Friends as ai love it so much. David told me The Weir wasn’t an actual pub, they revamped an old house on location especially for the scene! All those pub signs were created by the art department – incredible work!
Amazing. Thank you for contributing the info 🙂
Awesome, thank you for contributing