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The Crown movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Crown filmed?

2016

City Locations

England, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Spain

Location Types

Castles, Mansions, Churches, Victorian, Film Studio

Location Styles

Classic Car, Dated, Georgian, Gothic, Foreign

About The Crown

Created by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix, The Crown is a riveting historical drama series. The show started airing in 2016, spanning five seasons. Stephen Daldry helmed the production with Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Olivia Colman, Tobias Menzies, and Helena Bonham Carter as the main cast members.

The Crown follows Queen Elizabeth II's life, from her coronation in 1953 until the present day. It chronicles her relationships with her family members and prime ministers as well as historically significant events, including the Suez Crisis in 1956, Prince Philip's alleged extra-marital affairs in the 1960s, Margaret Thatcher’s rise to power in 1979, and many other moments that shaped Britain during this period.

Critics have lauded The Crown for its exceptional acting, directing, writing, cinematography, and production values. However, due to their deviations from history, the fourth and fifth seasons, in particular, received some criticism. However, the series has earned sixty-three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its first four seasons and won an impressive twenty-one awards.

Notably, it was named Outstanding Drama Series during its fourth season. Furthermore, The Crown garnered seven Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series - Drama at the 74th and 78th ceremonies. Actors Claire Foy, Emma Corrin, Olivia Colman, Josh O'Connor, and Gillian Anderson were all recognized with wins in the acting categories!

The Crown Locations

The production of The Crown has seen the show filmed in various locations throughout the UK and internationally. Most scenes were shot at Elstree Studios, north of London, and other custom-made sets were created to replicate iconic settings such as the Britannia, royal residences, and Downing Street.

For seasons 1 to 3, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire stood in for Windsor Castle, while seasons four onward opted to shoot at Burghley House in Lincolnshire. From the majestic Buckingham Palace to the historical Balmoral Castle, the show’s first four seasons were certainly memorable given the realistic recreations of iconic royal locations.

Internationally, filming took place in various Spanish locales, including Barcelona, San Telmo, Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Puerto Andratx, Mallorca, and Almería, Almería. Hungary served as a location for the second season, and some scenes of the series were also shot in South Africa.

Visiting any of these regions would be an incredible experience for fans of Netflix’s big-budget royal drama. Burghley House, now home to many historical moments from the show, offers a unique chance to walk where the show’s characters once walked.

Elstree Studios also housed several film sets used by The Crown production team, and the surrounding area is full of activity. Its proximity to Watford Junction station, just a short journey away from London, makes it a perfect destination for anyone looking for a staycation option with plenty of nearby attractions within easy reach.

Elizabeth gives a speech to the government scene in The Crown

Great North Rd., Hatfield AL9 5HX, United Kingdom

The scene in The Crown takes place in the Long Gallery located within Hatfield House. Elizabeth (Claire Foy) gives her speech confirming that she would be taking the name of Windsor.

The Long Gallery is a key location in the show, and it is depicted as a large and grand room with several pieces of opulent furniture, tapestries, and paintings, as well as chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There is also a fireplace surrounded by a cozy seating area. As Elizabeth speaks to the government officials present, she stands at the end of the gallery to deliver her message.

Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I in 1611, constructed Hatfield House. It has since been a residence for generations of his family. With its grandeur, the estate features dining halls, libraries, and drawing rooms adorned with centuries-old antiques as well as an ornately landscaped garden enveloped by blooming greenery.

Hatfield House is about 24 miles north of London, off the A1 motorway near Hertfordshire town center. By car, it is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via Barnet By-Pass/A1 from the London city center. If traveling by public transport, it takes around 45 minutes by train or bus from St Pancras Station/Kings Cross Station in London city center; you'll need to catch a train bound for Welwyn Garden City or Stevenage station followed by either a short taxi ride or local bus service to get there.

Father - daughter talk scene in The Crown

Englefield Rd, Englefield, Reading RG7 5EN, United Kingdom

As his death looms, King George VI (Jared Harris) has a heart-to-heart with his daughter to prepare her for life as Queen. He knows she is ready, but he wants to ensure that he passes on all the wisdom and knowledge that only experience can bring.

Engelfield as a filming location was quite fitting for this scene in The Crown, given that it was once home to the Blagrave family, who were prominent courtiers during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. With its stately architecture and sprawling grounds, Englefield House captured the importance of their conversation, this timeless setting added sophistication to an already touching moment. It is now owned by Conservative MP Richard Benyon and his family.

Englefield House is open to visitors from Monday to Friday. There are two ways to get there; by car or public transportation. If you travel by car, take the M4 highway towards Reading, then exit at junction 12 onto A4/Bath Road. Follow this road until you reach Englefield Road, where you will find Englefield House on your right-hand side.

By public transportation, take a train from London Paddington Station or Reading Station to Mortimer Station, 6 miles away from Englefield House. You can get a taxi or take regular bus services, which will drop you off at Englefield Church stop.

The death of Winston Churchill scene in The Crown

9 The Close, Winchester SO23 9LS, United Kingdom

The scene in the third season of The Crown depicts the funeral of Winston Churchill (John Lithgow), and his death deeply saddens the royal family. It was filmed at Winchester Cathedral, a beautiful and historic place in Hampshire, England.

The cathedral has been standing since 1079 and is full of ornate architectural details. The inside is adorned with intricate wood carvings and stained glass windows from centuries past. From its walls hang tapestries depicting scenes from the Bible.

The Winchester Cathedral has deep historical significance for many reasons. It was the site for several royal weddings, including that of Henry IV and Mary Tudor, as well as the final resting place for Jane Austen. It remains open to the public throughout the year, but at times it closes its doors for special services and gatherings.

To get to Winchester Cathedral, you can take a train or bus from London Waterloo Station directly to Winchester Station, which takes approximately 1 hour. You can then take a taxi or walk (15 minutes) to 9 The Close, Winchester SO23 9LS, United Kingdom, where you will find the entrance to the cathedral grounds.

Diana's Balmoral test scene in The Crown

Kinloch Laggan, Newtonmore PH20 1BX, United Kingdom

The scene at Balmoral Castle in The Crown is a defining moment for the royal family and Princess Diana (Emma Corin), where she passes their test and her relationship with Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) is solidified. The Queen invites the Thatchers (Gillian Anderson and Stephen Boxer) to stay over, creating an awkward atmosphere between these two very different families.

Ardverikie Estate in Scotland served as the setting for the memorable scene. This 19th-century house was rebuilt between 1874 to 1878, after a fire, and is situated on the banks of Loch Laggan, surrounded by dramatic landscapes of mountains and forests.

To reach Ardverikie Estate from Edinburgh or Glasgow, your best bet is to rent a car. The ride will likely take around 3 hours if you're coming from Edinburgh and 2 hours when departing from Glasgow. When approaching Gatelodge (grid ref NN 533896), park in the layby on A86 which lies a quarter mile west of it, visitors are asked to continue their journey by foot across the estate.

King Charles’s residence scene in The Crown

Somerley House, Ringwood BH24 3PL, UK

In seasons 4 and 5, viewers are transported to Highgrove, King Charles' favored royal residence. For this idyllic setting, producers chose Somerley House, a regal, stately home situated on the border of Hampshire and Dorset. This magnificent architecture is accompanied by acres of rolling parkland, which includes the beautifully landscaped gardens that have been tended to by the King himself.

In the 4th season, we witness an unfulfilling marriage between Charles (Josh O'Connor) and Diana (Emma Corrin). In contrast, in the 5th season, we observe a poignant scene of Charles (Dominic West) walking with Camila Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams).

The remarkable history of Somerley House dates back centuries to when the Okden family first came into possession in 1653. Subsequently, Sir William Doddington purchased the estate and constructed a Flemish gabled domicile within what is now known as The Walled Garden, an exceptional example of modern architecture for its era.

This original dwelling has since been replaced by the version of Somerley House we know today. Although not open to the public, The Estate graciously hosts corporate events, private parties, weddings, festivals, concerts, and film/photographic shoots.

To visit this majestic filming location of The Crown, make your way to Ringwood in Hampshire, which is easily accessible by road via M3 or railway with regular trains departing from London Waterloo station. Once there, it’s just a short drive (or taxi ride) away from your regal retreat.

Conclusion

The Crown is a highly acclaimed series that portrays the aristocratic life of Queen Elizabeth II. The brilliant artistry and attention to detail make this production genuinely remarkable. Claire Foy's portrayal of Elizabeth is a captivating display of the monarch’s solemn public figure and her inner turmoil.

Fans and critics alike praised Emma Corrin for embodying Diana with an endearing grace, warmth, and relatability that accurately reflects both her public persona and private struggles. The show is also bolstered by an authoritative script covering each season's political and personal developments.

The Crown also set itself apart from other period dramas, focusing on personal lives rather than grandiose storylines. One cannot ignore the sheer amount of cinematic talent brought together for this series; it has undoubtedly contributed significantly to the entertainment industry. Whether you are a British history fan or simply up for some quality binge-watching session, The Crown is worth watching.