Back to Bridgerton – 10 filming locations from the hit show

Bridgerton has been the TV series on everyone’s lips since it launched on Netflix on Christmas Day. 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 news it has been renewed for a second series, fans looking to follow in the footsteps of its stars can discover the real-life filming locations on a future trip to Britain.

Bridgerton and the Regency Era

The Regency Era is 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.

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 tea room and ballroom were the setting for many of these extravagant evening scenes and have also featured in film adaptations of classics including Persuasion, in addition to being home to a highly regarded Fashion Museum.

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.

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.

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.

Surrey

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.

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.