From ‘Bridgerton’ To ‘Downton Abbey’: 4 Of England’s Historic Estates To Visit
Whether you follow the lives of the Crawley family in Downton Abbey or keep up to date with Lady Whistledown from Bridgerton, there’s something magical about the historic and regal estates that make England so enticing to visit.
We’ve rounded up some of the most regal, historic estates to make your next trip to England even more memorable by exploring the real-life backdrops that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Highclere Castle
The Highclere Castle estate dates back to 749 and has hosted many of England’s kings, queens, and prime ministers. The castle has over 250 rooms that give a glimpse into the Victorian era. During World War I, the castle was also converted into a hospital to care for wounded soldiers.
Downtown Abbey
Highclere was the real-life backdrop to this beloved show. The series started filming in 2010 and has attracted tourists ever since.
Highclere Tours
General admission to see the castle and grounds is approx. $35AUD per adult. If you are a true Downtown Abbey fan then you can do a guided tour inside the castle for approx $226AUD.
Castle Howard
Castle Howard is a Baroque masterpiece. It took over 100 years to finish the palace construction. The architectural design of the castle attracts many visitors and overlooks grand parklands and formal English gardens.
Bridgerton
In season one, Castle Howard played a starring role and showed all it’s beauty in episode 6. The exterior, gardens, and bedrooms were real-life film locations for Bridgerton which was characterised as Clyvedon Castle.
Castle Howard Tours
General admissions to the gardens are approx. $26AUD per adult. For the full experience, guided tours of the castle interiors and gardens are approx. $78AUD per adult.
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. The estate is renowned for its use as a prison for none other than Mary Queen of Scots during the 1500s.
Pride and Prejudice
It is believed that Jane Austen herself had Chatsworth in mind when writing about Mr Darcy’s residence, Pemberley. The estate is recognised in the 2005 film, starring Keira Knightley.
Chatsworth Events and Tours
During 18th – 21st August, Chatsworth is hosting an outdoor cinema where you can buy tickets to watch West Side Story and Harry Potter. For guided house and estate tours, tickets start from $45AUD per adult.
Alnwick Castle
The history of Alnwick Castle dates back to the Norman period. It’s the second largest inhabited castle in England and has been a refuge for evacuees, military outpost, teaching college and film set.
Harry Potter
Alnwick is famously known for its appearance in the first two Harry Potter movies, doubling as Hogwarts. The external grounds are most recognisable when Harry and fellow students learnt how to fly broomsticks and play Quidditch.
Alnwick Castle Tours
There are many tours on offer, from ‘Alnwick On Location’ film tour for the ultimate Hogwarts experience to general entry which starts from $33AUD per adult.
