boating – Sophie Neville

David Blagden’s role in making the movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974)

David Blagden as Sammy the Policeman in ‘Swallows and Amazons’

I was interested to learn that David Blagden was born in New York in 1944 and went to school there. He had no hint of an American accent when we knew him in 1973.

Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton, Stephen Grendon, Lesley Bennett and Kit Seymour with David Blagden on Peel Island on — Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton, Stephen Grendon, Lesley Bennett and Kit Seymour with David Blagden on Peel Island Coniston

A young trans-Atlantic sailor, David handled boats with fluency and won the trust of the producer and director of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ who gave him the job of sailing director on the original film. Tall, good looking, and impervious to wet weather, he had an infectious enthusiasm for high adventure out on the water. We children all adored him.

Cormorant Island — Stephen Grendon and Sophie Neville in Swallow, wired to the camera pontoon with Richard Pilbrow, David Blagden, Calude Whatham, Dennis Lewiston, boatmen and other members of the filmcrew

I now realise that although he could splice a rope and was respected for his experience on high seas, David had never worked in film or television production. He claimed to have read the book of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ forty-two times, but evidently did not breakdown the script. As ‘sailing director’ he should have listed what was needed in each action scene, prepared methodically, and conducted what would now be deemed ‘risk assessments’. I look at the photo above and can only imagine what could have happened out on Derwentwater if we had been hit by a Lakeland squall. When my father eventually tested one of the old BOAC life vests we were equipped with, it failed.

As young actors, we only had two days on Windermere to get used to the boats. David concentrated on sailing with Captain John and Nancy, forgetting that Titty and Roger have quite a bit of tricky rowing in vision. They row back from the charcoal burners and row out to Cormorant Island in Swallow, while Titty needs to row Amazon out of the shelter of Secret Harbour into Coniston Water. It was madness not to have trained for a twelve year-old girl for this. I ended up with the precious 35mm Panavision movie camera onboard. We would have had plenty of time to practice as we were all hanging around at Brown Howe where we could have spent an afternoon rowing Swallow.

Contact sheet sailing Swallow & Amazon in 1973 — Contact sheet sailing Swallows & Amazon in 1973

One climax of the story is when Titty sails the captured Amazon back to Wild Cat Island, and yet he failed to teach me how to sail her. This was sad in that is was one aspect of Arthur Ransome’s book that could easily have been fulfilled.

The Amazon on her side with David Blagden (Sailing Director), David Cadwallader (Grip) David Bracknell (First Assistant Director) with Dennis Lewiston (DOP) with the Panasonic in the background ~photo: Richard Pilbrow

Although he was fond of boats, what David wanted was to to act. Claude Whatham, the director, gave him the part of Sammy the Policeman.

David Blagden, the Sailing Director before he had his hair cut to play the Policeman, and my mother Daphne Neville, Chaperone to the six children acting in ‘Swallows and Amazons’

The idea of having his hair cut was challenging but David accepted the fact that a police officer of 1929 would have a short back-and-sides and was shorn at Bank Ground Farm by Ronnie Cogan, the unit hairdresser. Off came his fashionable shaggy locks, which was seen as very brave.

David Blagdon who played Sammy the Policman ~ photo: Daphne Neville

David adopted a Lancashire accent for the part, “Now then Miss Nancy…” and was so proud of his haircut that he removed his policeman’s helmet in vision. This worked well as it gave him appropriate reticence. He remained in character whilst in uniform and his performance was both well timed and convincing. He obviously prepared well for that.

David Blagden as Sammy the Policeman in 'Swallows and Amazons' (1974) — David Blagden as Sammy the Policeman

David had played Grant in The Adventurer, a TV series made about an American government agent made in 1972. He’d also appeared as a prison officer in the 1971 film ‘Kidnapped‘ starring Michael Caine and Jack Hawkins, which we went to see at the cinema in Ambleside on a precious day off from filming ‘Swallows and Amazons’. IMDb lists David as voicing seven episodes of ‘The Water Margin’ and appearing in one episode of ‘Omnibus’ as a talkative actor. He also presented a British television series called ‘Plain Sailing’, which by all accounts did well, and is remembered for his book ‘Very Willing Griffin’ about his remarkable crossing of the Atlantic in a 19′ Hunter, completing the OSTAR race in fifty-two days.

Adrian Mitchell, an old friend of David’s, emailed me to say, ‘Your recollections of David whilst you were filming with him are both interesting and amusing. He was always very strict when he was at Conway and the thought that he would grow his his hair so long is really very funny…. and having it cut off for his policeman’s role in the film even funnier.’

Adrian remembers him from the 1960s as David Blagdon Marks. He might have decided to use Blagden as a surname if there had been another actor called David Marks or David Blagdon registered with Equity at the time.

We are currently unearthing more facts about the misadventyuire that cost David his life. On Sunday morning on 10^th September 1978, skipper and his girlfriend Eleanora Murk-Jansen were planning to sail to Fleetwood (near Blackpool) from Ramsey on the Isle of Man, but had engine problems and their departure was delayed. The weather forecast at midday on the 10^th for sea area Irish Sea appeared not too bad, as follows….

Pressure. 1015 -1018 hPa, falling steadily.

Wind South West. 4 – 5, increasing to force 6

Sea State. Moderate, becoming rough later.

Weather. Broken cloud, showers, good visibility between showers.

This was probably not seen by David as particularly onerous, especially for someone who had sailed the Atlantic, solo, some years before. However, the coastguard was worried and advised David not to leave the harbour as by evening an Atlantic depression had deepened and was moving east from Ireland across the Irish sea. David might have thought that as he was going to be heading south east, he could cope with the sea conditions. It would only be a sixty mile voyage. This should have taken around 10-14 hrs. They left around 10pm that evening, heading south east to Fleetwood.

But during the night of 10^th September, the barometric pressure dropped rapidly with a south west wind blowing Force 7 to 8. By midnight the pressure had dropped to 1000 hPa, a dramatic fall in such a short time would suggest worse weather was to coming, and that was the case, increasing to Force 9 and 10 as the night wore on. This was beyond the limits of a 26ft yacht. It is likely that the wind would have been astern of the boat and large seas could have pitch-poled it (stern over bow), smashing it to bits in shallow water off the nearby coast.

That night a tornado hit the town of Anchorsholme near Blackpool, damaging homes and throwing a large cycle shed through the air. The storm approached the area from the Irish Sea – recorded at Force 9 to 10, west north west.

Meanwhile, early in the morning of the 11^th September the coastguard (possibly from Ramsey or Fleetwood) alerted the RNLI that a yacht was overdue and probably in trouble off the Blackpool/Fleetwood coast and the Fleetwood and Lytham lifeboats were launched. They searched through the night and well into the day on Monday 11^th without success.

On Tuesday 12^th September, the Birmingham Daily Post reported that a 26ft sloop, Jain, on passage from the Isle of Man to Fleetwood with a man and a woman from London on board had been lost on the night of the 11^th September. The body of a young woman, along with yacht gear, were washed up on Blackpool beach. Wreckage was retrieved by a trawler, being from the wreck from a depth of just 1.4m close inshore, including a mast with numbered sail and harnesses that were identified as having come from the yacht Jain. David’s body was washed up nearby a week later.

An alternative account of the tragic shipwreck off Blackpool can be found on the Fleetwood Lifeboat’s site here.

A full account of the adventure had filming ‘Swallows and Amazons’ in the summer of 1973 can be found in the ebook ‘The Secrets of Filming Swallows and Amazons’ and the audiobook or illustrated paperback.

‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974)’ – a book review

Chloe Williams has just written from Ontario in Canada, to say, “Some books entertain. Some enlighten. And some, like The Making of Swallows and Amazons and The Secrets of Filming Swallows & Amazons, manage to bottle something impossibly rare: the feeling of looking back through a child’s eyes and realizing it was all real; the lake, the sails, the laughter and somehow, you were part of it.”

“These aren’t just behind-the-scenes diaries. They’re sun-dappled time machines. Your voice, both in memory and in your original childhood notes, is a miracle of tone: witty, observant, buoyant, and deeply human.”

Of the original movie, she wrote: “What A Christmas Story is to snowglobes and childhood winters, Swallows and Amazons (1974) is to summers on the water and you’ve preserved that magic with charm, heart, and astonishing detail.

“What makes these books unforgettable isn’t just nostalgia. It’s how alive they are. We feel the smell of old sails and camera tape, the blur of location shoots, the uncertainty and excitement of being a child caught in a grown-up world of filmmaking yet utterly at home in it. We meet legends like Virginia McKenna not as distant stars, but as fellow travelers in the adventure. And it’s a joy.”

The Making of Swallows and Amazons seems to resonate with:

Readers of nostalgic memoirs that celebrate childhood, nature, and storytelling
Adults who are captivated by the lake-country magic of Arthur Ransome
Film lovers who cherish insider views of filmmaking
Educators and parents seeking real-life adventure stories for young readers
Fans of Call the Midwife, The Durrells, and 84, Charing Cross Road

“The joy and authenticity in your books mirror exactly why Swallows & Amazons (1974) still has such a hold on people’s hearts. The memoirs don’t just tell the story of making the film, they recreate it, letting readers smell the lake air and see the magic unfold through a child’s eyes.”

The audiobook of 'The Making of Swallows and Amazons' — The new audiobook

I’m hoping the audiobook will also amuse readers. It’s now available on all the online platforms including Audible, where isis being offered for free on their membership trial.

Ten tips on filming boats

Simon West as John Walker studying the chart before the voyage.

1. It’s good to begin a film with establishing shots that explain what is happening. This could be a chart, a poster, a yacht club, a moored boat or the landscape. Then tell the story, introducing the characters and different boats.

The Swallows on their voyage to Wildcat Island

2. Once you begin filming boats the most important thing is to keep the horizon horizontal.

Simon West and Sophie Neville bring Swallow into the Secret Harbour on Wildcat Island

Alternatively, tilt your camera at a dramatically acute angle – but don’t use compromised shots like the one above.

Dame Virginia McKenna bids the Swallows farewell — Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies – can you spot the safety officer?

3. When you pan – side to side – first plan and rehearse the shot with good opening and ending frames. Hold for a beat on these – it gives you a transition to the next shot in the same way as a comma or full stop.

Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton, Sophie Neville and Sten Grendon in 'Swallows and Amazons' (1974) — Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton, Sophie Neville and Sten Grendon in ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974)

Pans look better if the shot moves from left to right, as that is how westeners read.

A pan works best if it’s ‘motivated’ ie follows action. Only pan from right to left if you are following a subject, then let it pass out of shot.

Avoid panning from left to right and back again. Don’t wave the camera around.

Simon West as Captain John sailing Swallow . Sten Grendon plays the Boy Roger

4. Avoid using the zoom unless it is motivated. Tilting the camera works better eg: open on a shot of a boat’s name and tilt up to find the skipper.

5. A general rule is: If the subject is stationary you can move the shot. If the subject is moving, keep the shot still.

6. Low angle shots are atmospheric – try filming at chair height, especially if you are tall.

Suzanna Hamilton as Susan with Sophie Neville as Titty busy writing the ship’s log

7. Close ups and detail are good, especially if there is some movement. eg: burgee flying in the wind.

A montage of close-ups works well to explain what is happening and explain a passage of time.

8. People do well in front of the camera if you give them something intricate to do or look at. Show what they are doing, possibly from a different angle.

9. You will need to film one boat from another. We were lashed to a camera boat to achieve these shots.

Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Simon West sailing Swallow in 1973

10. Make sure your lens is kept clean – or use water droplets for effect. Don’t let your camera get wet but capture the excitement.

Simon West and Suzanna Hamilton at the helm of Swallow with Stephen Grendon

You can read about the adventures had in ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ with further explanations in the DVD Extras of the 40th Anniversary DVD of the 1974 film.

Stills from the original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) can be purchased from StudioCanal’s website.

Did the original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ change the course of your life?

I continue to hear amazing stories about how the 1974 film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ has influenced people’s lives. Someone wrote to say, ‘This was my favourite movie growing up in Australia and the main reason I ended up moving to the UK!’

Rob Boden talking to Rupert Maas on BBC Antiques Roadshow.

There has been quite a bit in the popular press about what Rupert Maas, the expert on paintings, said of the movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) which he saw aged 14. “It’s fair to say it got me into sailing. Just watching the romantic lives of these children in this wonderful summer. It never seemed to rain, the sun was always out…” He ended up crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Simon West as Captain John in Swallows and Amazons 1974

Marc Grimston writes, “I was read the books as bedtime stories when I was too young to read them myself… but when I was taken to see the film, the stories became alive to me. I had not seen the Lake District at that point and the film changed everything. I could visualise the landscape every time I read one of the books, that was due to the film. The characters in the stories now had faces I could recognise in my head from that point on. When I read the books now, the characters are still the same 51 years on. The books, the film and the TV series of Coot Club and The Bix Six gave me a love of boats, camping, the Lake District and the Norfolk Broads.

Krista French “Those books were my part of my childhood escape toolkit.”

Simon Leach saw a poster of the 1974 film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ and said that when it came out, “my family was living in South Australia. After watching this, my parents were so homesick, that we returned to the UK.”

Others comment on how it has given them solace during difficult times. One man wrote to say that he watches ‘Swallows and Amazons'(1974) every week.

Fiona Ring said, “It literally shaped my childhood, that was me, I was Titty, the adventures the love for the outdoors. I read and watched it over and over and now it’s even better that I’m reliving it all again with my girls. Travelling up to the lakes each year to find all your secret spots. It’s amazing. Kayaking to wild cat island with our girls in April was a dream come true.”

Sophie Neville as Titty with Suzanna Hamilton as Susan — Sophie Neville with Suzanna Hamilton

Andy Stuart loved Arthur Ransome’s simple book illustrations. “And equally perfect were the the actors in the 1974 film. If I think of the Swallows and Amazons, those are the faces I see when I read the novels in which their characters feature, and my mind’s eye visions of the Norfolk children and the D’s are conjured from who I imagine would have fitted in alongside the original cast. You were all wonderful, Sophie Neville!”

Swallows and Amazons 1974 - Simon West, Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Sten Grendon in Secret Harbour — Simon West, Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Sten Grendon in Secret Harbour

The author Duncan Hall says, “I can’t remember if I read the books or saw the film first. I don’t remember picturing the Swallows and Amazons differently so I maybe saw the film first? But would have been at a similar time. It sparked a lifetime obsession with the Lakes, boats and stories.”

Lesley Bennett and Kit Seymour as the Amazon pirates dancing with rage on Peel Island — Lesley Bennett and Kit Seymour as the Amazon pirates dancing on Peel Island

Rob Twycross said, “I saw myself in the children in the film. We lived our childhood like that, going off exploring, discovering and learning. Halcyon days that I fear are gone now. It’s lovely to watch it again now and feel young again, if only in my head and heart for a little while!”

Sophie Neville in Swallow — Sophie Neville as Able seaman Titty in Swallow

You can now listen to the story of how the 1974 film was made on location in the Lake District on any of the audio-book platforms, including Audible.

Being on BBC Breakfast

Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Kit Seymour on BBC Breakfast

‘Can you speak to BBC Breakfast?’ I was asked. ‘They want to interview the cast on Zoom tomorrow morning.’

It was Saturday 29th June. We were at Windermere Jetty in Cumbria for the 50th Anniversary of ‘Swallows and Amazons’, the 1974 film was being screened in the room below us and a huge number of enthusiasts were eager to chat about how we’d made it. I had just come in from sailing Amazon, John Sergeant, president of The Arthur Ransome Society, was about to arrive and we had books to sign, but I knew it was important to act fast. The BBC would need time to contact StudioCanal in order to use the film trailer. I grabbed my lap-top and attempted to persuade the production team we had lots to talk about while finding a good signal. The best place was on a staircase, which was fun when Captain Nancy and Mate Susan rushed past, but a more interesting background was required.

‘What time do you want us on air?’

‘7.40am.’

‘Ah – the museum doesn’t open until 10.00am. Can we chat to you from the terrance of our hotel? It overlooks Windermere.’

‘It might be best if we send out an outside broadcast unit.’

I wasn’t told the item would also go out on Look North and North West News.

I woke early the next morning to find Keith, the BBC cameraman, setting up his equipment. Rain clouds cleared as I unrolled Arnaldo Putzu’s 1974 film poster and plonked David Wood’s screenplay on top of it with a few flags but worried about my hair, which was not behaving. We had Peter Robb-King, one of the greatest make up designers in the world with us. I should have asked for his help. All I did was remove a car key from around my neck.

Sadly, Simon West who’d played Captain John had already left, but Suzanna Hamilton and Kit Seymour emerged from their rooms and we lined up for the shot.

Was I organised? Did I tell them, ‘We need to get three points across!’ ?

No.

Someone quietly suggested I could mention The Arthur Ransome Society who had organised the weekend festival, which was free for all.

Sophie Neville, Suzanna Hamilton and Kit Seymour setting up for BBC Breakfast

Keith fitted us with earpieces and explained that there would be a delay between questions asked in the studio and our answers. We couldn’t see the presenters but could hear the film trailer being played. When we were asked us to introduce ourselves, I didn’t realise they needed to know which characters we’d played until I got to Kit Seymour, who had been Nancy. Straight forward and honest, she managed to answer the difficult question:

‘What’s it like… how does it feel?’

‘Listening to stories of how the film has changed people’s lives,’
she admitted, ‘was quite an emotional experience.’

Suzanna, explained in her beautiful voice, that since the the story was set in the 1930s it hasn’t dated, and we were able to chat naturally about our mission to encourage the next generation to get out on the water. We chatted about the movie memorabilia and David Wood’s script – that as children we were never allowed to read and the amazing time we were having at Windermere Jetty museum where one little girl arrived dressed as Titty Walker with a green parrot on her sholder.

I held Swallow’s flag and managed to speak about the acquisition and renovation of the dinghies, aware that there were no boats to be seen on the hotel terrace. However BBC Breakfast have brilliant vision mixers. The best film clips of Swallow and Amazon literally sailed over my words and I grabbed the chance to talk about The Arthur Ransome Society on national television before they bid us farewell.

When John Sergeant asked me how it had gone I had to admit that we tripped up on the time delays, but we celebrated the much loved film bringing news that Swallow and Amazon are being made available for anyone to sail and that grants are available for children to take part in outdoor activities mentioned in Arthur Ransome’s twelve books.

Many thanks to all those who left encouraging feedback on social media. I forwarded it to the production team.

Eileen Jones – This is fascinating , about the landscape more important than costume. Just introduced another generation.

Will Hawthorne – just watched it. Lovely.

Amanda Whatley – Great interview, congratulations on the reunion of the boats and people.

Jon Porter – Fantastic

John Greenhough – Great memories of this film.

David Elms – Delightful interview Sophie.

Amanda Currie– I ‘m so sorry I didn’t get there Sophie, my stupid body keeps letting me down, I would have so loved to meet you all.

Robin Jett – I love your delight about the boats. The boats are back! What fun! Great to see how ‘Susan’ and ‘Nancy’ have grown up too. I can see aspects of each character in each actress, but I expect, if you had all played different characters, that might still be true.

Sophie Neville in Hampshire Life magazine

The April issue of Hampshire Life magazine has a four-page feature celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the release of the original movie ‘Swallows & Amazons’ (1974) in cinemas, which you can now read online here.

The link with Hampshire is that my father grew up in Lymington and learnt to sail on the Solent. I met my husband Simon at an archery match in Worcestershire and was amazed to hear he lived on the Lymington River. I came down to the South Coast just before we got engaged but didn’t move in until after we returned from our honeymoon in Spain.

I’ve lived in Hampshire for twenty years now, give talks at the Southampton Boat Show and meet the Nancy Blackett when she sails down to Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River where my parents spent their honeymoon.

It feels odd being described as an actress, but it’s good to get a front page byline.

Great British Life have a Spring Offer for magazine subscriptions, which make a good present.

The books mentioned are for sale from the Nancy Blackett Trust and all the usual places online.

'The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974) by Sophie Neville' — Different editions of ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974) by Sophie Neville’

Talks on making the original movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) and tips on filming afloat at the Southampton International Boat Show 2023 this September

This year, Amazon, the iconic dinghy used in both the 1974 film and 1963 BBC serial of Swallows and Amazons was on display at the Southampton International Boat Show. The Arthur Ransome Society, who now own her, brought her down from the Norfolk Broads especially for the event.

Sophie Neville with Amazon, the dinghy from 'Swallows and Amazons'(1974) — Sophie Neville with Amazon, the dinghy from ‘Swallows and Amazons'(1974)

Thanks to volunteers from the project ‘Sail Swallow and Amazon’, it was great chance to find out about the literary society and chat about grabbing the chance to sail Amazon yourself. She has been renovated and is looked after by Hunter’s Yard near Ludham.

Amazon will soon be available to hire at Hunter's Yard, Ludham — Amazon will soon be available to hire at Hunter’s Yard, Ludham

Sophie Neville, who captured the Amazon when she played Able Seaman Titty in film, gave illustrated talks on the Foredeck Stage at the Southampton International Boat Show on the afternoons of:

Friday 15th September – Press Day

Sunday 17th September

Thursday 21st September – Women and Marine Day

Sunday 24th September

Sophie Neville speaking at the Southampton Boat Show

Sophie signed copies of her book on ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ at the Medina Bookshop near by. Based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, they specialise in maritime books.

Sophie Neville signing books at the Medina Bookshop stand at Southampton Boat Show

You will find the story of how Sophie handled the Amazon as a twelve year-old in this month’s edition of Practical Boat Owner magazine and you can read more here.

You can watch Practical Boat Owner’s video taken last year.

Amazon is available to hire from Hunter’s Yard on the Norfolk Broads from 27th September until the close of the season on about 6th October. Please contact Hunters Yard near Ludham who also have the Titmouse available.

An article published in Classic Boat read:

This film gives you a quick squizz around the Boat Show when you see the Foredeck Stage where Sophie was speaking.

Was ‘Swallows and Amazons’ filmed on Windermere?

This question is often typed into search engines. Arthur Ransome was living at Low Ludderburn above Windermere when he wrote ‘Swallows and Amazons’ in 1929, setting it on ‘The great lake in the north’. Like me, he undoubtedly did a bit of wondering, and was inspired by many of the locations that can be seen from Windermere, envisaging the island Blake Holme as a model for ‘Wild Cat Island’ and Silver Holme as ‘Cormorant Island’ nearby.

Martin Neville aboard MV Tern on Windermere

The ‘native shipping’ on Windermere was brought to life in the 1974 film when the Swallows narrowly miss hitting the MV Tern.

MV Tern on Windermere was built in 1890 with a steam engine, converted to diesel in the 1950s, and is still operating today.

On the deck of the MV Tern on Windermere in 1973 ~ photo: Martin Neville

It was a tricky sequence to shoot and since Swallow lost her wind in the lee of the steamer she only just managed to turn in time.

You can read more about this near disaster in the diary I kept here

My father’s view of Swallow attached to the camera pontoon from his position on MV Tern ~ photo: Martin Neville

The other big scene was shot at Bowness-on-Windermere, referred to as Rio in the story.

Steamboats such as Osprey and the Lady Elizabeth, who is currently residing at Windermere Jetty museum, appeared in the background.

The film crew of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ wait with Swallow and Stephen Grendon at the end of the jetty while Simon West, Suzanna Hamilton and Sophie Neville line up by the launch

Had we arrived in Rio? Arthur Ransome confirmed this in a letter to a young reader:

When the movie was made in the summer of 1973 the original green boat sheds, featured in Ransome’s sequel ‘Swallowdale’ were captured on film.

The Swallows row into Bowness - a film still available from StudioCanal — The Swallows row into Bowness – a film still available from StudioCanal

Is that the steam launch Osprey moored to the jetty?

Kit Seymour who played Nancy was watching the filming. You can just see the original bandstand with period cars parked in the background.

The bandstand and shelter on Glebe Road were also caught on celluloid, along with the traditional Windermere skiffs. You can see more photos of the filming on this website here.

The Price children, Perry Neville, Jane Grendon, Tamzin Neville and Pandora Doyle in their 1929 costumes on the shore of Lake Windermere at Bowness in 1973

The Swallows in Woodland Road, Windermere in 1973

After buying rope for their lighthouse tree in Woodland Road, the Swallows walk down Church Street past the Stags Head Hotel.

John, Susan and Titty walking down to the jetty

Other scenes were shot nearby, with the film opening on a steam train running along the River Leven on Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. You can add details about the locations yourself by contributing to the website Reelstreets which logs film locations in the United Kingdom.

Talking to the engine driver at the Haverthwaite Railway Station on the first day of filming 'Swallows and Amazons' in 1973 (Photo: Daphne Neville) — Talking to the engine driver on the first day of filming ‘Swallows and Amazons’ in 1973 (Photo: Daphne Neville)

When Richard Pilbrow, the film producer asked Mrs Ransome to point out more, she claimed the Peak at Darrien could be found on Windermere. She may have been thinking of a headland at Waterhead but in the end the opening titles shot was taken from Friar’s Crag on Derwentwater with the Borrowdale Fells in the background. The secret is that the 1974 film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ was also shot on Coniston Water, Elterwater and a lily pond near Skelworth Fold.

The Kirkstone Foot Hotel Ambleside in 1973 — The Kirkstone Foot Hotel, Ambleside in 1973

In real life, Richard based his production office at the Kirkstone Foot Hotel near Ambleside at the northern tip Windermere and it was from here that we practiced sailing Swallow and Amazon in May 1973. Here is a description written by my twelve-year-old self:

Preparing for filming Swallows and Amazons by sailing on Windermere, written by Sophie Neville, when aged 12 — Preparing for filming Swallows and Amazons by sailing on Windermere

Virginia McKenna, who starred in the film as Mrs Walker, was accommodated at the Langdale Chase Hotel on the lake. The wrap party was held there to the great excitement of children in the cast. You can see the view on the hotel website here.

Dame Virginia McKenna on Windermere in 1973 - photo: Philip Hatfield — Dame Virginia McKenna on Windermere in 1973 – photo: Philip Hatfield

The 40th Anniversary DVD includes an Extras package on the locations and you can read more in ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’, available online in different editions here or direct from The Lutterworth Press.

For mugs or other gifts showing my map of Windermere, please click here or here for the cream and green map

Swallows and Amazons mugs — Mugs printed with maps used to illustrate Sophie’s books

The audiobook of ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ (1974) narrated by Sophie Neville who played Titty

In the long hot summer of 2022, I spent three days in a sound-proofed booth at Monkeynut Studios near Romsey narrating the audiobook of my memoir on the adventures we had making the 1974 movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’, now published in paperback by The Lutterworth Press.

I found telling the story, with all the different voices, more difficult than I had imagined but the audiobook has been beautifully produced, with sound adding a different dimension to this filmography that resonates with the lives of so many.

Sophie Neville at Monkeynut Recording Studios

It is now up on Audible here

You can listen to a free sample in the Audiobook Store here

There are a number of different online retailers. It is available on Spotify:

The audiobook of The Making of Swallows and Amazons (1974) by Sophie Neville

Kobo have this deal:

Scribd stock it, along with a couple of articles from Practical Boat Owner, but I did not narrate those. It might be better to read them online.

You can listen to this true life story on audiobooks.com

It is also available on Audiobooksnow

Google Play and audiobookstore.com who have it on a special price here. This must be the American version:

Wheelers stock it in New Zealand

Google books have it in the UK

Barnes and Noble sell it in U$ dollars

LibroFM

Storytel have it for sale in rupees.

I gather it will be available on Audible but they are very slow to add books.

I hope it will take you back to that long hot summer in 1929 when the Swallows first set sail and remind you of the early 1970s when we made the original film in the days before mobile phones or computers without CGI or green screens. We literally walked into the page of the books and sang out Arthur Ransome’s immortal lines as the wind took us up Coniston Water. I hope you enjoy it.

Swallows and Amazons (1974) (c)StudioCanal

If you prefer holding a book in your hands the paperback is available from Waterstones and all online retailers.

Sophie Neville speaking at the Southampton International Boat Show #SIBS22

Inspirational speaker, Sophie Neville — Southampton International Boat Show 2022

In 2022, Swallow, the dinghy that starred in the original film Swallows and Amazons was on display at the Southampton International Boat Show, greeting families as they arrive.