The British royal family has captured the public’s imagination for generations, whether that’s as a driver of tourism for visitors who want to see the grand palaces, historical sites and jewel collections of the United Kingdom, or as a source of inspiration for authors and auteurs throughout the decades.
Many movies and television shows have told accounts — both fictional and based on true events — of British nobility, from the striving members of Regency society depicted in Bridgerton to the more modern history editorialized in The Crown. And telling these stories requires sumptuous costuming, attention to historical detail and, of course, an appropriately regal setting.
See which remarkable manors and estates have stood in for royal homes throughout history.
Arundel Castle in West Sussex, England
The remarkable Arundel Castle, which has original components dating back to its 1067 construction (though much of it dates to the its Victorian-era rebuilding), stood in for Windsor Castle in the 2001 film Albert & Victoria, starring Emily Blunt as the young Queen Victoria and Rupert Friend as her beloved husband.
In real life, Victoria and Albert had a connection to the castle, having stayed there in 1846 and planted an oak tree to commemorate their visit.
Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England
The palace intrigue in 2018’s The Favourite takes place in 1705 during the reign of Queen Anne, with Emma Stone’s Abigail and Rachel Weisz’s Sarah vying for the favor of the ailing Anne. Hatfield House and its beautiful gardens played the role of Kensington Palace in the film.
Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, England
The stately Belvoir Castle helped the various actors who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown (pictured here: Imelda Staunton) get into characters, as its interiors doubled for Windsor Palace.
The castle’s social media account posted an inside look at one of the scenes.
Eilean Donan in Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland
Built in the thirteenth century as a defensive wall, and added to over time until it became the imposing fortress it is today, this island castle served as the home to Clan McLeod in 1986’s Highlander and Fotheringhay Castle in 2007’s Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Hampton Court Palace in Richmond Upon Thames, England
Looking at the palatial exterior of this palace, is it any wonder it’s a popular filming location for everything from The Young Victoria to The Favourite to Bridgerton? It was initially built for King Henry VIII’s advisor Thomas Wolsey; it then became a favored home for Henry VIII, and was expanded by William III (hence its unique combination of Tudor and Baroque architecture). George II was the last sitting monarch to use the palace as a residence; it’s now maintained by a charity that preserves unoccupied palaces.
Montacute House in South Somerset, England
Another manor with a Henry VIII connection: Monacute House served as a filming location for scenes in Wolf Hall, where it stood in for the Tudors’ home Greenwich Palace.
Ardverikie House in Inverness-shire, Scotland
The royal family spends their holidays at Balmoral, so a suitable location was needed to film scenes set there on The Crown, including one where Margaret Thatcher made a visit. It’s a 19th-century baronial home, which now is available to rent for weddings.
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England
It’s not a Mission: Impossible to see why this gorgeous estate has stood in for Buckingham Palace in the film’s Rogue Nation installment, as well as in Queen Charlotte and The Young Victoria. It shares much of the ornate details and elegant landscaping as the royal residence and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.
Lancaster House in London, England
Queen Charlotte called this elegant London mansion home in Bridgerton, and it was also featured in The King’s Speech. Its lavish interiors have doubled for Buckingham Palace many times on screen, including in Downton Abbey and The Crown.
Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, England
Look for this dramatic medieval-era English country house in films such as The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Mary, Queen of Scots (2018).
Wilton House in Wiltshire, England
Another elegant home whose interiors has substituted for Buckingham Palace in many productions including Bridgerton and The Crown, Wilton House is currently home to the Earl of Pembroke and is renowned for its gardens.
Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, England
Having belonged to the Lytton family since 1490, Knebworth House is still home to a Lytton descendant but is also home to an annual outdoor music festival and has also served as Balmoral in several film productions, including The King’s Speech and The Crown.
Ham House in Richmond Upon Thames
Ham House gained notoriety in the late 1600s as powerful courtiers lived there and made it a popular place for other nobility to visit and stay. In more recent years it has been restored to be a public destination and museum, and many productions have been filmed there, including 2017’s Victoria and Abdul.
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