‘Where was The Crown filmed?’ The question that is on everyone’s mind right now! The hit Netflix show gives its viewers a peek into the fascinating lives of the British Royal Family and some luxe locations that we can’t resist sharing!
From the Queen’s palaces to Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter, our guide offers insight into some of The Crown’s filming locations. However, not everything is as it appears. Producers were forced to use a variety of magnificent homes and alternate settings to create a genuine backdrop for the royal intrigue!
Keep reading to discover 12 of The Crown’s filming locations…
1. Somerley House
Somerley House in Ringwood is a stand-in for Charles and Diana’s country retreat of Highgrove House in The Crown.
The Georgian stately mansion is near New Forest National Park and includes over 7,000 acres of private grounds and is located near Dorset. Samuel Wyatt designed the structure in the late 1700s, including a 90ft picture gallery erected around 1850.
2. Belvoir Castle
Perched proudly on a hilltop in the Vale of Belvoir, this stunning 19th-century bastion is a beautiful location for royal filming. A number of interior rooms are modified in The Crown to create a royal-worthy replica of Windsor Castle.
Take a birds-eye view of Leicestershire from this iconic landmark, and explore its lavishly decorated galleries and rooms. And, if you love it here, there are so many other castles in England for exploring.
3. Buckingham Palace
A lot of people wonder if The Crown was filmed at Buckingham Palace? Whilst the real-life exterior appears on screen, Lancaster House serves as a placeholder for a number of Buckingham Palace’s entryways and staircases.
Among the filming locations for Buckingham Palace were Wilton House in Wiltshire, Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, Wrotham Park and Moor Park in Hertfordshire.
4. Ely Cathedral
For the wedding ceremony of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, this magnificent Norman structure in the historic riverside city of Ely, Cambridgeshire replaced Westminster Abbey.
Ely Cathedral also played a starring role in a collection of films, including The Other Boleyn Girl, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and The King’s Speech.
5. Somerleyton Hall
Next on our list of The Crown filming locations is Somerleyton Hall. This is a lovely estate located near Lowestoft, East Anglia that served as the backdrop for most of the Sandringham House scenes.
The Queen typically stays at Sandringham House for Christmas, meaning Somerleyton Hall played a central role in some dramatic, festive scenes.
6. Old Royal Naval College
The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is a prominent filming location, with credits like Les Miserables and Pirates of the Caribbean, and now The Crown!
The location mirrors a courtyard at Buckingham Palace. The courtyard was a frequent location where Winston Churchill and other Royal Family members would arrive and depart between meetings with the Queen.
7. Ragley Hall
The historic Ragley Hall in Alcester portrays Althorp Estate in the show, showcasing the first meeting of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in season four of The Crown.
The Ragley Estate is a filming venue for a range of projects, from The Scarlett Pimpernel and The Palace of Versailles to Doctor Who, where David Tennant played the tenth Doctor.
8. Northern Quarter, Manchester
The eccentric Northern Quarter of Manchester transforms into New York in the fourth season of The Crown. The backdrop centred on Princess Diana’s solo trip to the city in 1989.
Keep your eyes peeled for some of Manchester’s most interesting vintage shops and cafés hidden among the yellow taxis and metro signs.
This is not the Northern Quarter’s first time standing in for the Big Apple! Other filming locations include Captain America: The First Avenger!
9. Brocket Hall
Playing the perfect stand-in for Kensington Palace was Brocket Hall, one of England’s finest stately homes.
The quintessentially British home’s interior doubled up at the Queen’s palace throughout the series, as did Harefield Grove, located nearby.
Come to Brocket Hall and admire the grand Georgian Ballroom, the well-appointed morning and drawing rooms! All of which are fit for a Queen!
10. Burghley House
Burghley House is a magnificent stately home on the outskirts of Peterborough. This stunning estate served as a stand-in for exterior shots of Windsor Castle during the series.
Burghley House dates back to the 1600s, showcasing a remarkable example of the Elizabethan prodigy house. The house’s original and historic appearance makes it the perfect stand-in for a royal mansion!
11. Winchester Cathedral
Our next Crown filming location of Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire was used as a stand-in for the marriage ceremony of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Winchester Cathedral dates back to 1093, with many people attributing it as one of the best churches in Europe.
12. Hatfield House
Last on our list of The Crown filming location is Hatfield House, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s children.
Hatfield House is a historic residence in Hertfordshire and the birthplace of Elizabeth I. Here is where Claire Foy portrayed Elizabeth II throughout multiple series of the TV show.
Enjoyed this collection of The Crown filming locations? Check out this stunning selection of regal holiday homes or luxury cottages on offer. Once you’re ready to go, use our UK Travel Guide for inspiration to plan your getaway.
Image Credits: Kmtextor – (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jimmy Harris – (CC BY 2.0), KJP1 – (CC BY-SA 3.0), DeFacto – (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jose Francisco Del Valle Mojica – (CC BY 2.0), Anthony Masi – (CC BY 2.0), Somerley Ent – (CC BY-SA 4.0)