Step into the worlds of Bridgerton, Peaky Blinders and Wolf Hall with these top garden filming locations
Here are some of the best gardens you might recognise from film and TV.
We all know the familiar sight of two period drama actors strolling through a lush garden in the midst of a passionate argument, or fantasy lords going to battle outside the walls of a forbidding castle. For TV and film fans, it's a common occurrence to sit through their latest obsession and wonder 'where is that filmed?'
Well, more often than not, it's on your doorstep as the UK is packed with gardens and outdoor spaces that frequently double as filming locations.
From Bridgerton and Wolf Hall to Peaky Blinders and Game of Thrones, there are dozens of shows out there, not to mention major film franchises, which have used your local garden or National Trust site as a setting.
So, to help you make the most out of your next garden visit, we've compiled a list of the best outdoor spaces from TV and film. Even better, we're recommending the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine 2-for-1 gardens scheme to help you save money on entry.
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine have been delivering the 2-for-1 gardens scheme for over 30 years. Distributed within the May issue, the 2-for-1 card and guide gives over 325,000 readers discounted entry to more than 380 gardens across the UK and Ireland with savings of up to £38.50 on a single visit.
This year, 2-for-1 Gardens will be supported by a new app, making it quick and easy to find gardens. You can search by name, county or region, making it simple to discover gardens to visit. With all the garden visiting information at your fingertips and an improved interactive map feature, you'll have everything you need. Download the app for free to access all garden listings.
Best garden filming locations from film and TV
Painshill, Surrey
You may have spotted the serpentine lake at Painshill, in Surrey, in the background of many Regency dramas, from Bridgerton to ITV’s Vanity Fair. Designed in the 18th Century, this landscaped garden was designed to be a living work of art. Follow paths through this classical landscape, passing by temples and follies. Keep an eye out for romantic bridges and purpose-built ‘ruins’ – on bright days you can find them reflecting dreamily in the lake's water.
Garden: 2 for 1 £16.50. Offer not valid at weekends.
Osborne, Isle of White
Osborne, on the Isle of White, was the beloved house and garden of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 2017, the location was used for Victoria & Abdul, a film showcasing the unlikely friendship between the Queen and Abdul Karim. There are plenty of glimpses into Victoria’s personality at Osborne – delight at some of the eccentric touches such as the private beach and bathing machine.
Palace & garden: 2 for 1 from £20.06 (see website for prices), single reduced by 25%. Booking recommended, use online code BBCGARDEN24126 for 2 for 1, or BBCGARDEN25PC26 for single. Open varying days. Offer not valid on bank holiday weekends or event dates with an advertised additional charge.
Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
With its historic cloisters and charming Wiltshire setting, Lacock Abbey has been used as a filming location more times than is worth counting. Perhaps its most famous moment in the spotlight was being used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, but it has also featured in plenty of period dramas such as the BBC’s Wolf Hall. The local village, Lacock, is similarly a star of stage and screen, which is fitting given it was home to Henry Fox Talbot – a pioneer in the development of photography.
Abbey, museum & garden: 2 for 1 £16-£21 (price varies), single reduced by 50%
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Bodnant Garden, in North Wales, has recently been used as a film location for the 2020 adaptation of The Secret Garden. Spend a day here and you will quickly discover why, around every corner there is something new to marvel at. Spot the fantastical Waterfall bridge, or the shady Dell, all parts of the garden contribute to its magical feel. Bodnant truly is a garden for all seasons.
Garden: 2 for 1 £19. Open all year. Offer not valid in May & June
Arley Hall & Gardens, Cheshire
Arley Hall and Gardens, in Cheshire, regularly steals the show on TV. It has played host to weddings and funerals in Coronation Street, features in the Netflix series Fool Me Once, and was most famously blown to smithereens in the finale of Peaky Blinders. The gardens are designed with an appropriate sense of drama, starring a famous double herbaceous border, a picturesque cottage and rose garden, and a ‘rootery’ filled with riotous colour.
Garden: 2 for 1 £13 (£7 31 Oct- 3 Mar). Open all year. Offer not valid on 27-28 June. Parking £3
Castle Ward, Northern Ireland
Located on the shores of Strangford Lough, County Down, this recently restored four-tier sunken garden has been returned to its Victorian heyday. There are woodland and shoreline trails to explore which take you on scenic trails around the estate. You can visit the Georgian farmyard, which featured in Game of Thrones as Winterfell.
House & garden: 2 for 1 £15, single reduced to £7.50. Garden (when house closed): 2 for 1 £12, single reduced to £6. Open all year.
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