Four years since its first season launched on Netflix in 2020, Bridgerton is once again the TV series on everyone’s lips. Produced by Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and based on the novels by Julia Quinn, the show has proved a hit with audiences around the world thanks to its modern take on life in Regency England – not to mention its passionate romance scenes. With the start of the hotly anticipated third season, fans looking to follow in the footsteps of its stars can discover the real-life filming locations on a trip to Britain.
Bridgerton and the Regency Era
The Regency Era has been an inspiration for many writers, not least Jane Austen, whose ground-breaking works introduced generations of readers to the customs, traditions and social issues of the time. Breaking down its own barriers, Bridgerton is a period drama with a difference, expertly combining breathtaking backdrops and traditional costumes with important modern-day issues and a multi-cultural cast. With sweeping shots of ornate stately homes, quintessential British countryside and the sizzling chemistry between its two leads, it’s also the Netflix show of choice for those looking to explore historical England from the comfort of their sofa. Discover Bridgerton’s fresh take on Regency life with a wealth of unforgettable experiences that bring Britain’s illustrious past to life in new and unexpected ways.
Get a taste of Regency life
The annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath, which takes place in early autumn, gives admirers of the beloved author and Bridgerton fans alike a unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the Regency period. The 10-day festival is packed with exciting events and activities – from costumed balls and theatrical performances to guided walks and talks. One of the highlights is the Regency Costumed Promenade, which kicks of the festivities, when hundreds of people dressed in historic costume parade through the cobbled streets of Bath.
Alternatively, visitors can channel their inner Daphne (or Benedict) Bridgerton and enjoy the opulence of Regency London with a special afternoon tea at Theatre Drury Lane. Featuring a sumptuous menu from in-house artisan baker Lily Vanilli, fans can anticipate the latest Bridgerton drama while marvelling at the theatre’s rich history. The theatre has hosted every reigning monarch since 1812 and behind-the-scenes tours provide a fresh take on Regency life, where the magic of film and TV meets the grandeur of the London stage.
Bath
No. 1 Royal Crescent
Although many of the events in Bridgerton are set in Mayfair’s London, within the residences of the best families in England, much of the filming took place in Bath. Founded by the Romans, the Somerset city was a buzzing social hub for the well-to-do in the 1800s and it remains a jewel of Regency architecture to this day. For those keen to experience a slice of Bridgerton, No.1 Royal Crescent is a must-see stop. Doubling as the home of the Featheringtons, in real life it is a museum dedicated to the period. Built in the 1760s – 1770s, the Royal Crescent’s perfectly preserved architecture and views of Royal Victoria Park are one of the main backdrops to the series. Eagle-eyed fans may also recognise it from TV adaptations of Vanity Fair and Northanger Abbey, in addition to the motion picture The Duchess.
Abbey Green
Situated in the centre of Bath, Abbey Green’s cobbled streets and quaint boutiques make it a dream filming location for Bridgerton and it’s here that the fictional dress shop, Modiste, is located. Owned by renowned seamstress Madame Genevieve Delacroix, the shop is a hotbed of style and gossip and the setting to several key scenes in the show. Fans can look forward to donning their best outfits for a turn around the square, before a spot of lunch and shopping in true Bridgerton style.
Bath Street
Bath Street features in the very first episode of Bridgerton, when the Duke makes his heart-stopping appearance on horseback. Although it doubles as a Mayfair street in London, this Georgian delight is actually the location of a quintessential Bath highlight, the Thermae Bath Spa, an award-winning spa featuring the 18th-century Cross Bath and an open-air rooftop pool.
The Assembly Rooms
Many of the scandalous storylines in Bridgerton revolve around big social events, where high society comes together to celebrate, mediate and fall in love, much to the delight of gossip columnist extraordinaire, Lady Whistledown. The Assembly Rooms tearoom and ballroom were the setting for many of these extravagant evening scenes and have also featured in film adaptations of classics including Persuasion.
London
The Ranger’s House
Greenwich is an area steeped in regal history, so it’s a fitting location for the home of the Bridgertons themselves. Filmed at the Ranger’s House, a stately home on the edge of the world-renowned park, today the majestic building is home to The Wernher Collection, which features more than 700 works by artists including Botticelli, Monvaerni and Metsu. Those planning to explore the area shouldn’t forget to visit the Royal Observatory, while history fans can immerse themselves in the past at the Queen’s House, the home built for Queen Anne, and the Old Royal Naval College – all located just a stone’s throw away.
Chiswick House
Chiswick House is another popular Bridgerton backdrop and can be spotted in a number of scenes throughout the series, including in season three. The neo-Palladian villa was built between 1726 and 1729 by the Earl of Burlington, who took inspiration from visits to Italy and the works of Italian architect Andrea Palladio and his English follower Inigo Jones. Visitors can explore the lavish 18th-century interior of the villa or take a stroll through the tranquil kitchen gardens. The onsite café offers speciality coffee and freshly baked cakes from their in-house bakery, while the house is a popular wedding venue, so it’s best to check for planned closures before visiting.
Lancaster House
Although Hampton Court Palace was used for exterior shots of Queen Charlotte’s Palace, Lancaster House in Westminster, London, was used for the interior and also acted as a backdrop for scenes filmed inside Buckingham Palace. With its sweeping staircases and Grand Hall, which mirrors the style of the Palace of Versailles, the building is a favourite filming location for period dramas and has also appeared in Downton Abbey and The King’s Speech.
The Reform Club
Located in the heart of Pall Mall and founded in 1832, The Reform Club is another London filming location immortalised in the series. The setting of episode one’s meeting between the Duke of Hastings and Anthony Bridgerton, in reality the private members club is the haunt of some of Britain’s most forward-thinking political minds, not to mention one of the area’s most striking buildings.
Osterley Park and House
Osterley Park and House in West London features as a backdrop of an outdoor ball in Bridgerton season three. Just a short Underground ride from central London, the Georgian country estate features gardens, park and farmland and is one of the last surviving country estates in London. Built in the late 18th century by Robert Adam, visitors can experience the house as it would have looked in the 1780s. There’s a wealth of activities too, including canoeing in the summer months and cycle hire available at weekends.
Syon House and Park
Syon Park, in the London Borough of Hounslow, features a stunning conservatory which was the location of the first ball in Bridgerton season two. The Grade I listed Syon House sits within 200 acres of lush parkland and has been home to the Dukes of Northumberland for over 400 years. It was built in the 16th century on the site of a former abbey and boasts a rich history, as well as an extensive art collection. The house and gardens of Syon House have appeared in countless film productions, from Gosford Park to Killing Eve.
Luton Hoo Estate and Walled Garden
Luton Hoo Estate has appeared throughout Bridgerton, with the country estate doubling as the exterior of the printing press and the Bridgerton family garden in season three. With its quintessentially English country home look and beautiful Walled Garden, it offers an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Visitors can explore the Walled Garden and Woodyard Café during one of the estate’s Open Wednesdays, while a bookable Garden Tour includes expert commentary from members of the Walled Garden Project. The estate is a popular filming location and has featured in numerous productions including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Downton Abbey and Rebecca.
Surrey
Hampton Court Palace
The former home of King Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace doubles as the opulent residence of Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton. Located in Richmond on the banks of the Thames, a visit to the palace is a must for those interested in British history. Fans of the series can follow in the footsteps of its stars with a stroll through the palace’s 60 acres of gardens, including the ornate Privy Garden, which was beloved by the King himself, or explore the beauty of Richmond Park – home to herds of red and fallow deer since 1637.
Painshill Park
The beautifully manicured grounds of Painshill Park also feature in the hit show. Completed in 1773, the gardens were inspired by the owner, the Honorable Charles Hamilton’s Grand Tour of Europe and his passion for Renaissance art, with the lake, bridge and gently rolling landscape all featuring in the series.
Berkshire Basildon Park, Reading
Visitors may recognise the Garden Room and parterre at Basildon Park from the party scene at the Featherington’s home in season two. The house and its lavish interiors return in season three, where it doubles as the home of new character Lady Tilley Arnold, a wealthy widow. The 18th-century house also featured in the hit series and movie Downton Abbey and the film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
West Sussex
Petworth House, West Sussex
With its impressive art collection, Petworth House doubled as the setting for the art gallery scene in Bridgerton season two. The striking 17th-century mansion houses masterpieces by Anthony Van Dyck, J.M.W Turner, Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, as well as carvings by the famous Anglo-Dutch 18th-century artist Grinling Gibbons. Petworth also boasts a pleasure garden featuring woodland walks and architectural features, and a 700-acre deer park with ancient trees.
Kent
Squerryes Court, Westerham
Squerryes Court is located just outside of Westerham in Kent, the ‘Garden of England’. The striking 17th-century manor house is surrounded by lush parkland, gardens and vineyards, and features as a backdrop to a garden party early in season three. The house has been inhabited by the Warde family for more than 300 years and is not open to the public. However, visitors can enjoy the views across the vineyards over a delicious meal at Squerryes Court’s award-winning restaurant. For a light bite with stunning vistas, head to the estate’s Garden Café serving hot drinks and pastries. Budding sommeliers can book a Tutored Tasting or one of the seasonal Summer Tours and Tastings, which includes a walking tour of the vines followed by a tasting.
Buckinghamshire
Claydon House, near Buckingham
Nestled among the rolling hills of Aylesbury Vale, Claydon House is a National Trust property with extravagant 18th-century interiors. Serving as a backdrop in Bridgerton season three, visitors can marvel at the grandeur of the magnificent state rooms and spot the elaborate carvings found throughout the house.
Stowe Gardens, near Buckingham
Not far from Claydon House, south of Buckingham, lies Stowe Gardens. For season one of Bridgerton, it was transformed into Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens where Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings began their romantic relationship. In the Regency era, the pleasure garden was a popular part of London’s nightlife, where visitors could indulge in diverse entertainment, from concerts and acrobats to hot-air balloon rides. With its winding paths, lakeside walks and temples, Stowe Gardens also appeared in various other outdoors scenes in the second season. Now looked after by the National Trust, the gardens can provide the setting for scenic walks in the footsteps of the Regency cast.
Bedfordshire
Wrest Park, Silsoe
The grounds of Wrest Park are home to the orangery at Bridgerton’s Aubrey Hall, the country retreat of the Bridgertons. In season three it will be the stand-in location for the home of the Fuller family. The architecture of this magnificent house, built in the 1830s, was inspired by the style of an 18th-century French chateau. Its grounds are packed with hidden gems, including an ornate marble fountain, the 18th century Bowling Green House, a Chinese temple and a baroque pavilion with stunning interior built by Thomas Archer.
Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Blenheim Palace first appeared in Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte as Buckingham House (the former name of Buckingham Palace before its 19th-century conversion). The royal residence makes its first appearance as a true Bridgerton filming location in season three. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the seat of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Visitors can explore the palace and 2,000 acres of magnificent grounds, including a landscape designed by Lancelot Capability Brown. The self-guided Lights, Camera, Action Trail takes visitors behind the scenes of some of the most famous blockbusters to be filmed here, from Harry Potter to super spy James Bond.
Oxford, the ‘city of dreaming spires’, is around 20-minutres from Blenheim Palace by car. The university city houses numerous museums and galleries, including guided tours of the Bodleian Library, the country’s second largest library, which holds a copy of every single book ever published in England since 1662.
Wiltshire
Wilton House, Salisbury
A recurring Bridgerton setting, Wilton House near Salisbury features heavily in a number of interior and exterior shots, including scenes set in Queen Charlotte’s stately rooms where debutantes are presented. The drawing room and grand hall stood in for chambers in the residence of Lady Danbury and the grounds were used as stand-ins for London’s Hyde Park. Visitors may also recognise Wilton House from popular Netflix series, The Crown, where it doubles as Buckingham Palace.
Lincolnshire
Grimsthorpe Castle, Park and Gardens, Bourne
The majestic Grimsthorpe Castle doubles as the residence of new Bridgerton addition Lord Hawkins in season three. Surrounded by elegant gardens, historic woodland and a 50-acre lake, the house was built in the 16th century by Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, to accommodate a visit from Henry VIII and his court. The house is open to visitors on select days between April and October.
Yorkshire
Castle Howard
Clyvedon Castle, the Duke of Hastings’ great estate, is actually Castle Howard, a splendid residence located a short distance from York, in the north of England. The Castle is no stranger to the big and small screen, having featured in Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, Brideshead Revisited and Victoria, to name just a few. Built at the end of the 17th century, the castle’s sprawling gardens feature in the show, while nearby Coneysthorpe Village doubled as the village frequently visited by the Duke and Duchess. Although the Duke of Hastings is a fictional character and title, history buffs will be interested to know that there is a real-life Baron Hastings, for whom the appellative of Lord Hastings is used – a title that has existed since the 13th century.
