Cinema stars: historic film & TV locations you can visit

Delighted by "Downton Abbey"? Beguiled by "Bridgerton"? Captivated by "The Crown"? The UK's opulent country manors and sweeping landscapes aren't just good for period dramas—they're primed for exploration too! Here are some of the most stunning on-screen locations to be found across England and Scotland…

Highclere Castle, Hampshire

Famous for: "Downton Abbey"

Location: Near Newbury, Hampshire

This 19th-century Jacobethan stunner isn't just a castle—it's a national obsession thanks to "Downton Abbey". Home to the real-life Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere has been a filming location for over a decade. The interiors you saw on screen? Yes, they're real. Tour the grand dining room, the bedrooms, and the library—though, sadly, no Mr Carson included.

Fun fact: The castle sits on grounds landscaped by Capability Brown and has connections to the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb (the present earl's great-grandfather, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, bankrolled the expedition).

Wilton House, Wiltshire

Famous for: "The Crown"

Location: Near Salisbury, Wiltshire

This 17th-century stately home is the real-life seat of the Earl and Countess of Pembroke and a darling of cinema. In "The Crown", it doubles for Buckingham Palace with astonishing accuracy—and it's easy to see why. The Double Cube Room, with its gilded ceilings and Van Dyck portraits, is one of the most spectacular rooms in England.

Fun fact: It’s been used in "Pride and Prejudice", "Emma", and even "Tomb Raider" too.

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

Famous for: "Napoleon" (2023)

Location: Near Kettering, Northamptonshire

Boughton House is known as "The English Versailles". Its French-style architecture proved a perfect twin for Napoleon's chateau in Ridley Scott's 2023 epic, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby.

Fun fact: The 17th-century house is used to rolling out the red carpet. Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen all were here for the wedding scene in "Les Misérables".

Farleys House, East Sussex

Famous for: "Lee" (2024)

Location: Near Chiddingly, East Sussex

Tucked away in the Sussex countryside, Farleys was the real-life home of surrealist photographer and WWII correspondent Lee Miller. In "Lee", Kate Winslet steps into her boots to portray this fascinating woman. Today, the house is part-gallery, part-museum, and filled with Miller's photography and artworks from her circle including Picasso, Man Ray, and more.

Fun fact: Lee Miller bathed in Hitler’s bathtub on VE Day – an iconic image that symbolised the end of the war.

Penshurst Place, Kent

Famous for: "The Other Boleyn Girl" (2008)

Location: Near Tonbridge, Kent 

Penshurst Place was once owned by King Henry VIII and is a favourite among period drama producers. For 2008 film "The Other Boleyn Girl" the 14th-century Baron's Hall was the perfect setting for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's wedding feast. So too the Queen Elizabeth Room and Long Gallery for the BBC's adaptation of "Wolf Hall".

Fun fact: The estate was gifted to Sir William Sidney by King Edward VI in 1552 and it's been in the same family ever since.

Arley Hall, Cheshire

Famous for: "Peaky Blinders"

Location: Northwich, Cheshire

With its red-brick Victorian design and lush gardens, Arley Hall was transformed into Tommy Shelby’s mansion. Today, fans of "Peaky Blinders" can visit and even see an exhibition dedicated to the show. No illegal betting involved.

Fun fact: Joanna Lumley stayed at the estate for filming of Netflix’s "Fool Me Once".

Hopetoun House, Scotland

Famous for: "Outlander"

Location: South Queensferry, near Edinburgh

Hopetoun is one of Scotland's finest stately homes, and in "Outlander", it plays multiple roles—from stately homes to Parisian streets. The estate offers Outlander-themed tours, perfect for those wanting to walk in Claire and Jamie's footsteps (or just fangirl/fanboy in peace).

Fun fact: Look out for Outlan-deer that roam freely around the expansive grounds.

Knebworth House, Hertfordshire

Famous for: "The King's Speech" (2010)

Location: Near Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Knebworth doesn't just do drama—it does everything. One day it's Buckingham Palace ("The Crown"), next it's frequented by a marmalade-loving bear ("Paddington 2"), or hosting "Eurovision" chaos with Will Ferrell. Colin Firth stayed at Knebworth whilst filming "The King's Speech". He got lost, locked out, and had to scramble over a wall to reach the crew!

Fun fact: The house has also hosted iconic rock concerts. Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Oasis have all played in the grounds. Royalty of a different kind.

Painshill, Surrey

Famous for: "Bridgerton"

Location: Cobham, Surrey

If you swooned over the impossibly romantic backdrops of "Bridgerton", then Painshill is for you. This masterpiece of garden design is perfect for a scandalous promenade or for daydreaming about your very own Duke of Hastings.

Fun fact: The park features a crystal grotto, a Gothic temple, and a serpentine lake—ideal for long, dramatic stares into the distance.

Drayton House, Northamptonshire

Famous for: "Saltburn" (2023)

Location: Near Lowick, Northamptonshire

Dark, decadent, and a little dangerous—Drayton House was the perfect setting for Saltburn’s chaotic upper-class mischief. With its moody interiors and eccentric elegance, it practically became a character in the film.

Fun fact: This historic home dates back to the 1300s and is still privately owned. It's rarely open to the public, so you'll have to settle for admiring it from afar (or rewatching "Saltburn"... again).