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Pride and Prejudice movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Pride and Prejudice filmed?

2005

City Locations

Berkshire, Derbyshire, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Bakewell, Stamford, Lincolnshire, Warminster, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire (UK)

Location Types

Mansion, Cottage, Gallery, Riverside

Location Styles

Building Dated, Victorian, Georgian, Rustic

About Pride and Prejudice

The movie adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice, tells the story of upper-class British society's search for love. It was directed by Joe Wright and starred Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, and Rosamund Pike. The film follows the five Bennett sisters navigating love in 19th-century England.

The movie begins with the Bennet family living comfortably but not wealthy. The parents of five daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, are determined to find suitors for their girls. Upon finding out that a rich young man named Charles Bingley (Simon Woods) has moved into a nearby estate, they take their two eldest daughters, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and Jane (Rosamund Pike), to a ball thrown by him in the hopes of sparking a romantic connection. There Jane meets Bingley, but Elizabeth immediately dislikes his best friend Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen). Through various events throughout the movie, Elizabeth (Lizzie) comes to question her prejudice about Darcy while he struggles with his pride.

Pride & Prejudice was well-received by critics, receiving an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Wright's version of the story didn't create the same cultural impact as the 1995 serial, and opinions on it are divided. Nevertheless, three years since its release, Keira Knightley remained associated with Elizabeth Bennet by a new generation of young viewers who didn't watch the 1995 production. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Keira Knightley), Best Costume Design, Best Music - Original Score, and Best Art Direction. It also won numerous other awards, such as BAFTAs for Most Promising Newcomer (Joe Wright), and was nominated for Golden Globe Awards for Best Film - Musical or Comedy. It won more awards at festivals such as Empire Awards and London Film Critics Circle.

Pride and Prejudice Locations

The allure of Pride and Prejudice, the celebrated classic by Jane Austen, has captivated audiences for centuries. When the classic was adapted into a feature film in 2005, director Joe Wright decided to take full advantage of different locations across England. Most scenes were shot in Kent, Derbyshire, Berkshire, and Stamford.

Kent's Groombridge Place served as Longbourn, the Bennet family home, with its moated manor house built in 1662. Basildon Park in Lower Basildon near Reading became Netherfield Park, where the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) stayed. Haddon Hall near Bakewell in Derbyshire filled in as Lambton's bustling inn. St. George's Square in Stamford offers a view of Meryton, where Elizabeth (played by Keira Knightley) encounters Mr. Wickham (played by Rupert Friend).

Each location offers something extraordinary that contributes to the story’s charm and grandeur. Groombridge Place (featured as ‘Birlstone Manor’ in Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, The Valley of Fear) provides a timeless backdrop. At the same time, Haddon Hall gives an unmistakable feeling of luxury with its Medieval architecture dating from the 12th to 17th century. Basildon Park is breathtaking, with its 18th-century Palladian mansion set within 500 acres of rolling parkland. Who could forget about the romantic scenes set at St George’s Square? The cobbled streets provide viewers with a pleasant escape from busy city life, fully immersing them in Elizabeth Bennet's world.

A trip to these locations for Pride and Prejudice would be an adventure worth having. It would allow fans to experience these stunning sites firsthand and relive some of their favorite moments from the movie on screen again.

Lizzie heard about Mr. Bingley's arrival scene in Pride and Prejudice

Groombridge Hill, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, UK

In the opening scene, Lizzie Bennet (Keira Knightley) comes home to find her parents discussing Mr. Bingley's (Simon Woods) arrival at Netherfield Park. Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn) is particularly excited about this news, hoping he will make a suitable match for one of her daughters. The scene is set in the family manor house 'Longbourn,' in Groombridge Place near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. The house was built in 1662 and remains unchanged from its original design. The exterior shots of Longbourn show a picturesque moated manor house surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, perfectly capturing the classic English countryside setting described by Jane Austen.

Groombridge Place near Tunbridge Wells served as the primary setting for Longbourn. This stately 17th-century country house features an impressive moated estate with magnificent gardens, canals, and forests open to the public all year. While many scenes were filmed on-site, some exterior shots featuring crowds and distinct buildings were filmed at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire instead due to budget constraints.

Located just under an hour away from London by car, getting to Groombridge Place is relatively straightforward. By car, take M25 southbound until Junction 5 before taking A21 southbound towards Hastings/Tonbridge until you reach Pembury Road A264 in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Follow signs to Groombridge Place from there onwards. Alternatively, take a Southeastern train from London Charing Cross Station or London Bridge Station directly to Royal Tunbridge Wells Station before catching a taxi or bus towards Groombridge Place, which will take around 15 minutes, depending on your destination stop within the estate grounds.

Lizzie meets Mr. Wickham scene in Pride and Prejudice

St George's Square, Stamford, UK

In the movie version of Pride and Prejudice, St George’s Square in Stamford stands in for Meryton, an imaginary town near Longbourn and Netherfield in Hertfordshire. The iconic scene occurs when Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley) first meets the dashing Mr Wickham (Rupert Friend). They banter as they walk around the town square, passing by shop fronts and locals going about their day.

The exterior scenes were filmed at St George's Square in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. This historic square is now a bustling marketplace surrounded by Georgian homes and shops. The square dates back to 1790 when local architect William Smith built it to replace the previous one destroyed by fire in 1778.

Visitors should take the train from London Kings Cross station directly to Peterborough to get to this location and transfer to Birmingham New Street. From there, it is a 12-minutes train to Stamford Station; the road will take 1 hour 30 minutes on the East Midlands Railway service. From here, it is just a 5-minute walk to St George’s Square.

Elizabeth admiring the painted ceiling in Pemberley's great hall scene in Pride and Prejudice

Chatsworth House, Bakewell, UK

The scene where Lizzie (Keira Knightley) visits Pemberley's family house is an iconic moment for the story, with Keira Knightley's performance as Elizabeth Bennet showcasing her character arc. Lizzie's aunt (Penelope Wilton) and uncle (Peter Wight) recommended visiting Pemberley, Darcy's grand estate, which is nearby and open for visitors. We see a scene where Lizzie stands in awe at the grandeur of Pemberley and its sculpture gallery. She thinks differently of Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), whose kindness has been described by the housekeeper. Lizzie begins to see him in a new light, which marks a turning point in their relationship as she starts to admire him.

The scene was filmed at Chatsworth House, a stately home in Derbyshire, England, dating back to the 16th century. The house is surrounded by stunning gardens, which have remained virtually unchanged since the 1700s and are open to visitors. Currently, Chatsworth has a collection of artworks that date back 4,000 years. The collection includes ancient Roman and Egyptian sculptures and renowned pieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Reynolds, and Veronese. In addition, the collection also comprises works by exceptional modern artists like Lucian Freud, Edmund de Waal, and David Nash.

If you want to visit Chatsworth House, it is easily accessible from major cities such as Manchester and Sheffield in England via public transport or car. It is also a great day out for those living near Derbyshire as there are plenty of things to explore both inside the house and outside in the gardens.

Lizzie receives a letter about her sister scene in Pride and Prejudice

Haddon Hall, The Estate Office, Haddon Hall, Bakewell, UK

In the movie adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the scene where the Gardiners, Lizzie Bennet (Keira Knightley), and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) go to the inn for dinner is shot at The Estate Office of Haddon Hall in Bakewell, England. The Rutland family has owned this 900-year-old house for generations and preserved its original interiors. The public can visit and see the unchanged interiors.

The bustling inn is the wood-paneled Dining Room at Haddon Hall. This stunning room is full of grandeur, befitting a character like Mr. Darcy. Full of centuries-old antiques, this room provides a beautiful backdrop for Lizzie’s shock when she receives news that her sister Lydia (Jena Malone) has run away with Wickham (Rupert Friend). Although considered scandalous then, this scene has become iconic in popular culture as one of Pride & Prejudice's most memorable scenes. Haddon is a Medieval manor house considered one of the best-fortified houses in the country. It dates from the 12th to the 17th centuries and was featured in the Eighties movie The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner.

Fans of both movies can easily access this location as it is just off A6 and A623 road from Manchester. The trip will take about one hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. In addition, you can take public transport from Manchester. From Manchester Piccadilly station, take a northern train to Buxton. Then, take a bus from Railway Station, and in about 45 minutes, you will be at the Haddon Hall stop.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh hosting a dinner scene in Pride and Prejudice

Burghley House, Peterborough, Stamford, UK

The scene at Rosings Park in the film adaptation is an iconic moment that encapsulates the tension between Lizzie Bennett (Keira Knightley) and Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Judi Dench). The dinner table is dimly lit, creating a sense of sinister superiority on the part of Lady de Bourg. She presides over the table like a queen, asking imperiously about Lizzie's family and the Bennets' lower-class upbringing. This exchange highlights the class divisions in Regency England and sets up a memorable clash between two characters from opposite ends of the social spectrum.

The filmmakers chose Burghley House, near Stamford, for their version of Rosings Park. This stunning Tudor mansion, built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, looks exactly as it would have done in Jane Austen’s time, with its impressive Great Hall and grounds providing an authentic backdrop for this pivotal scene. The house dates from 1555 and is open from March to October yearly so visitors can experience this remarkable setting.

To get to Burghley House (the filming location), fly into London Stansted Airport or take a train directly to nearby Peterborough station. From there, you can take a bus or hire a car to travel to Stamford, around 2.1 miles from Burghley House.

Mr. Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth Bennet scene in Pride and Prejudice

Temple of Apollo, Stourhead Garden, 3 High St, Stourton, Warminster, UK

In this emotionally charged moment, the two characters stand side by side in a shelter from a driving rainstorm. Emotions are running high. Lizzie (Keira Knightley) is angry and indignant at Darcy's (Matthew Macfadyen) interference in Jane (Rosamund Pike) and Bingley's (Simon Woods) relationship. Darcy is determined to profess his love for her despite her inferior social rank. The strong contrast between their emotions creates an intense atmosphere of tension. Darcy said he acted that way because he thought Jane wasn't interested. Liz argues that Jane is shy and doesn't express her feelings openly. Liz also mentions that Mr. Wickham (Rupert Friend) had alleged that Darcy had deprived him of his inheritance.

This scene was filmed at the Temple of Apollo in Stourton, Warminster, UK. This beautiful 18th Century structure sits atop a hill on the Stourhead estate, home to the Hoare family for over 200 years. The Temple of Apollo, which is circular, was added to the gardens in 1765. Its purpose was to visually outshine the Temple of the Sun at Kew Gardens, which William Chambers constructed. It is surrounded by gardens and lawns that create a magical atmosphere, perfect for this pivotal moment in the story of Pride and Prejudice.

Getting to Stourhead Garden is easy if you’re visiting the area. The temple can be reached by car or taxi from London. The road will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train to Warminster from London Paddington Railway Station. You can take a taxi to Stourhead Garden, which will take approximately 20 minutes.

Conclusion

Pride and Prejudice is a captivating film that brings to life the beloved classic novel by Jane Austen. Joe Wright’s adaptation of the book into the 2005 romantic drama was impressive and was met with critical acclaim. The actors in the movie, especially Keira Knightley portraying Elizabeth Bennet, delivered outstanding performances that had viewers enthralled throughout the film. The script was well-written, capturing Austen’s novel’s wit and charm while providing its creative take on it. Joe Wright’s idea to set it earlier than usual provided an exciting twist to the story, allowing for a more raw and realistic depiction of life at the time.

The movie undoubtedly left a big impression on viewers who were touched by its examination of themes such as love, class systems, and social expectations for women during this period. The actors beautifully complemented the various filming location in the UK, bringing to the forefront the immense charm, grace, and beauty of Regency architecture.

All in all, Pride and Prejudice (2005) is most certainly worth watching regardless of whether you’re already a fan of Jane Austen or not. It offers an accessible introduction to her work through its charming storytelling and beautiful cinematography, making it a timeless classic that can be enjoyed repeatedly by both old fans and new viewers alike.