AS SEEN ON SCREEN BRIDGERTON

Netflix’s Bridgerton has stolen our hearts ever since its debut release on Christmas day two years ago. With the recent launch of Season Two it's time to celebrate the series on a Bridgerton-inspired tour of the Great West Way, visiting the glamorous locations seen on screen.

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. But did you know several of the scenes were filmed right here on the Great West Way? With the second series out now discover the real-life filming locations and Bridgerton experiences on the Great West Way.

Take some time to visit the beautiful historic properties and locations used as backdrops for the show including famous landmarks like Hampton Court Palace to the lesser-known secrets such as the Abbey Deli in Bath (previously called Pickled Greens). Incredible historic houses and charming cities from the whole length of the Great West Way are being used as filmsets to bring the Bridgerton story to life.

If you are beginning your Great West Way journey in London its Regency heritage offers the perfect inspiration. Many of the events in Bridgerton are set in London Mayfair's, within the residences of the best families in England. Take in Regent’s Park and Regent Street or see London through its Bridgerton homes.

Starting in the west of London, east of the route, is Syon House, the London home of the Dukes of Northumberland with its 200 acre park. Used as Bridgerton’s Buckingham House, the smaller forerunner to Buckingham Palace, it’s where Queen Charlotte dined with her husband, George III, whilst its Print Room doubled for Hastings’ study.

The long gallery, Syon House

Incredible historic houses and charming cities from the whole length of the Great West Way are being used as filmsets to bring the Bridgerton story to life.

Bridgerton's Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte

Located on the river Thames and surrounded by swathes of stunning gardens and parkland, Hampton Court Palace may be best known for its Tudor and Stuart heritage – but in Bridgerton, it stood in for St James’s Palace. Carriages swept into the famous red brick courtyard for Queen Charlotte’s Ball. “We were there for an afternoon,” says Bailey, who plays Anthony.

Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton

Hampton Court Palace is one of Britain’s most famous buildings and a must-visit destination on the Great West Way. The former home of King Henry VIII, you can imagine following 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 exploring the beauty of Richmond Park - home to herds of red and fallow deer since 1637.

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.

If in London you might choose to venture a short distance from the route across Bushy Park into Teddington for Normansfield Theatre in the Langdon Down Centre, where Hastings and Anthony had their boxing match. 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.

In Twickenham you can visit the medieval St Mary’s Church where early 18th century English poet, Alexander Pope is buried, used for St George’s church where Daphne and Hastings married. Although not featured in Bridgerton nearby is Great West Way’s Strawberry Hill House & Garden – Horace Walpole’s 18th century architectural masterpiece, internationally renowned as Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture.

Bridgerton's Rupert Young as Lord Jack Featherington, Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, PollyWalker as Lady Portia Featherington, Florence Emilia Hunt as HyacinthBridgerton, Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton, Luke Newton as ColinBridgerton, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, and Luke Thompson asBenedict Bridgerton.

Another short detour from the route you can stroll like the Featheringtons in Surrey’s 18th century Painshill Park - the beautifully manicured grounds feature in the hit show. Look out for oft used scenes like the Chinese bridge, rowing lake and winding paths. There is also Wilton House, near Salisbury – the home of the Earls of Pembroke acts as multiple sets for Hastings, his honorary godmother, Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) as well as Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).

Strawberry Hill House & Garden

Most recognisable will be the exterior – which was used for Hastings’ London home and the Double Cube Room for the Queen’s presentation chamber. Whilst the garden hosted Lady Danbury’s party in the last episode of season one. Head to Bath where much of the filming took place. 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. If you’re keen to experience a slice of Bridgerton visit No.1 Royal Crescent, a museum of a Georgian home including a Withdrawing Room and Gentleman’s Retreat.

It was used as the exterior of the Featheringtons’ family pad, as “with the Featheringtons, it is all about show,” says Bridgerton production designer, Will Hughes-Jones. Whilst there, pop a few doors down to sample the Royal Crescent Hotel’s champagne afternoon tea or hop on a carriage. Stop at the city’s impressive Guildhall as its banqueting room with unmissable chandeliers stood in for the Rambury ballroom.

Follow the footsteps of your favourite characters, walking along streets where filming took place. There’s Abbey Green, Bath Street, Beauford Square, as well as Trim Street, where inside number 12 Gunter’s Tea Shop was filmed.

The Holburne Museum in Sydney Pleasure Gardens, another must-visit attraction on the Great West Way, doubles as Lady Danbury's home and the stunning Grade I listed elegant façade is seen in almost all episodes. Lady Danbury was filmed here stepping down from her carriage while reading Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheet.

The Holburne Museum

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. If you’re a fan of the show, you can look forward to donning your best outfits for a turn around the square, before a spot of lunch and shopping in true Bridgerton style.

Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton and Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma

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 Great West Way highlight, the Thermae Bath Spa, an award-winning spa featuring the 18th-century Cross Bath and an open-air rooftop pool.

Leigh Court, Bristol

Leigh Court was the lavish filming location for three of the season’s most opulent events, from Daphne’s jaw-dropping reveal... to the dramatic scenes at the Crawford Ballroom..

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.

Situated just outside Bristol, at the very Western end of the Great West Way route, Leigh Court was used for many of Bridgerton's ball scenes. Although it is now a dreamy wedding and private events venue, a visit to Leigh Woods, a tranquil woodland nestled above the Avon Gorge and the iconic Bristol Suspension Bridge, gets you just a stone’s throw away.

Leigh Court was the lavish filming location for three of the season’s most opulent events, from Daphne’s jaw-dropping reveal to Prince Friedrich (Freddie Stroma) to the dramatic scenes at the Crawford Ballroom. Built during Regency times, the suspended double staircase in the Great Hall is where Daphne appeared before dancing with Prince Friedrich. Whether Bridgerton, Featherington or brooding Duke, never are the characters of Bridgerton more extravagant than when attending a ball!

Alternatively, you can plan to experience a slice of 18th century life at Bristol’s Georgian House Museum, a restored period home with formal rooms and kitchens. You can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes interview with Penelope Featherington, played by Irish actress Nicola Coughlan, who reveals the secrets of the show while shooting at Leigh Court.

Many other films, TV shows and period dramas have been filmed along the Great West Way. Fans of Jane Austen may recognise the Temple of Apollo at the National Trust’s Stourhead Gardens (just south of the main Great West Way route) as the place the Darcy proposes to Lizzie in the rain in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. And, Potterheads – get those cloaks and wands at the ready! There are several magical Harry Potter locations, not to mention Paddington Bear, Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit.

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Bowood House & Gardens

A cottage located on the Bowood House Estate was used as a filming location in the Downton Abbey film and can even be seen in the trailer. Bowood House sits within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland, and features a hotel, spa and championship golf course.

Lacock Village

Within the village of Lacock, producers of Downton Abbey created the annual Malton Show at a farmer’s market. There is lots to see and do including visiting Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum.

Highclere Castle

Most of Downton Abbey the TV series and movie were filmed at Highclere Castle, or ‘The Real Downton Abbey’, as it’s known. Highclere Castle is located in North Hampshire on the Great West Way, and is currently home to the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Throughout the year, Highclere Castle holds tours and events open to the public where you can explore the Estate and the various filming locations that have appeared on our screens.

Words | Melanie Abrams

IMAGES © Liam Daniel/Netflix / Cr. Colin Hutton/Netflix / Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC