November 2014 HolmeWork Assignment – An Update: The Granada Studios Tour Sherlock Holmes Medal

“Having completed my studies there …”

– A Study In Scarlet (STUD)

Last November, we published a HolmeWork assignment asking if there was a Sherlock Holmes themed token or medal for the old Granada Studios Tour. Earlier this week, we received photographs of a Granada Studios Tour medal that featured a Sherlock Holmes themed design. It does exist!

OBVERSE: GRANADA (dot) STUDIOS / (camera on tripod) / (dot) TOUR (dot)

REVERSE: (magnifying glass) THE / ADVENTURES / OF / (deerstalker cap) SHERLOCK / HOLMES

38mm, Round, Brass

We are attempting to get better photographs of this medal.

After the first two series of the Holmes stories (Adventures and Return) had been filmed, Granada executives had the idea of conducting tours of their studio and lots to increase the company’s revenue streams. Initial studies gave estimates of 250,000 visitors the first year.  When the tour launched in July 1988, there would be 600,000 visitors the first month.

The hour-long tour would include a replica of No. 10 Downing Street, the sets of many Granada series including Coronation Street and a bus ride down the Baker Street back-lot. In time, a large warehouse-style building was erected over the Baker Street set, turning it into a indoor set and removed from the tour.

Granada branched out into other ventures in the 1990’s and the studio tour began to suffer from management neglect.  In 1999, the tour would be shut down and the following year would see many of the tour features demolished.  The Baker Street set building would be converted into studios for the long-running soap opera, Coronation Street.