Riverside Studios

The Riverside Studios at Hammersmith, London started life as an iron foundry and had been converted into a film studio in 1933. The site, with its two large studio spaces was purchased by the BBC in 1954 from the Alliance Film Company, initially as a temporary measure while the equipment at the studios at Lime Grove was being upgraded.

Amongst the first programmes made there was Hancock's Half Hour, as the show demanded a studio audience which Riverside could accommodate. A delay to the construction of Television Centre meant it remained remained a useful facility and it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother in 1957.

During the 1950s and 60s it was the recording location for some famous programmes, including the science-fiction classic Quatermass and the Pit, early episodes of Doctor Who (including First Doctor's regeneration from William Hartnell to Patrick Troughton), and children's favourite Play School. The rooftop also provided a handy vantage point over the Thames for covering the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.

The whole complex was in regular use until the early 1970s when additional studios were completed at Television Centre. The BBC moved out in 1975, and a charitable trust formed by Hammersmith and Fulham Council took over. The site is currently undergoing redevelopment.