Felicia's Journey
NFTS Production design workshop

Birmingham

Research and Recce

Birmingham was at the forefront during the Industrial Revolution with invention and a highly skilled workforce with good pay. There was a hub of workshops and factories around the Jewellery Quarter, Upper Priory in Old Square and the Black country to the north west of Birmingham (including West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury and to the west of Sutton Park - Great Barr). 

Since Joseph's mother owned a large house and he drives a car to work, I'd expect the house to be in an upper middle-class setting and close to but not too near an industrial area where Joseph would work. The house would need to be in an area with trees and shrubs that could hide a house that size.

Parts of Birmingham was originally the site of Forest of Arden, parts of which are still seen in dense oak tree-cover and districts like Molseley, Saltley, Yardley, Stirchley and Hockley. Hilditch's home could also be located in these areas. Location like Sutton Park or Molesley are closer to the Industrial areas and have houses that are larger, less densely built, and more secluded.