Top 9 Iconic ‘The Crown’ Filming Locations You Can Visit

Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

Beyond the bombast and the bomb blasts, season four of Netflix’s historical drama The Crown was its finest to date. Fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of season five in November, when the story picks up in the early 1990s with new cast additions — including Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Delbicki as Princess Diana, and Dominic West as Prince Charles. Yet the most awe-inspiring stars of the show remain unmoved: ancient British bricks and mortar.

From turrets and towers to barbicans and battlements, the magnificent backdrops are a major part of The Crown‘s appeal. The royal intrigue moves from palatial estates to magnificent manors, demonstrating the graceful ease of an expert courtier’s curtsey.

The real Queen Elizabeth II was less than courteous when it came to Netflix showcasing her many residences — including Buckingham Palace, Balmoral Castle, and Windsor Castle. Consequently, the producers had to scour the UK for suitable replacements, finding some incredible stately surrogates amid the great houses of Great Britain.

Read on for our ultimate travel guide to The Crown— and start planning your own regal retreat to England’s green and pleasant land.

1. Buckingham Palace

Season four presents the unforgettable scene of a soon-to-be Princess Diana roller-skating through the gilded corridors of Buckingham Palace while blasting out Duran Duran on her Walkman. The Palace itself, the monarch’s official London residence since 1837, was doubled by Lancaster House—a neoclassical mansion in the British capital.

Built in 1825, Lancaster House opens its doors to the public during London’s popular Open City festival. In the meantime, you can whet your appetite with this virtual tour.

2. Balmoral Castle

“The Balmoral Test” is a momentous episode in season four, when both Lady Diana and new British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher are invited to the Queen’s beloved Scottish hideaway. This location is where they are scrutinized by “the Firm.” Imposing the Firm. Imposing Ardverikie Castle doubles as Balmoral throughout every season of the show.

A Gothic masterpiece bristling with turrets, Ardverikie looks remarkably similar to Balmoral. Located near Inverness, it offers cozy guest cottages and lodges for rent on the grounds, and tours of the castle itself are also available.

3. Highgrove

Charles and Diana’s country estate, picture-perfect Highgrove in Gloucestershire, is still inhabited by the Prince of Wales today—along with his second wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles. For the show, the enchanting Somerley House on the Hampshire-Dorset border stands in as a remarkable stunt double.

Somerley, a striking country house on the edge of the New Forest National Park, resembles a magical place where one could enter a wardrobe and exit in Narnia. It hosts weddings, festivals, and concerts, providing a scenic location for a memorable event.

4. Windsor Castle

The venue for Prince Harry’s much-publicized wedding to Meghan Markle, Windsor Castle also features heavily throughout The Crown. The world’s oldest working castle was built nearly 1,000 years ago by William the Conqueror, and today serves as the Queen’s weekend home. In the show, it’s doubled by two properties: 16th-century Burghley House in Lincolnshire, and the fairytale-esque Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.

Burghley House, a grand Tudor mansion, has appeared in films including “Pride and Prejudice,” adding to its allure. Meanwhile, tours of the gardens and the castle of Belvoir are also offered, adding to its charm.

5. Sandringham

The Queen’s Christmas retreat, Sandringham is a relatively new addition to the royal property portfolio, having been in the family for four generations. In The Crown, it’s the setting for the season four finale, showcasing the importance of family gatherings during the festive season.

Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk, a pristine Tudor-Jacobean mansion, served as the backdrop for this gathering, where visitors can explore lush gardens, including a renowned hedge maze established in the 19th century.

6. Gatcombe Park

The home of Princess Anne, Gatcombe Park is a handsome manor house covering 730 acres of rolling Gloucestershire countryside, just six miles from her brother Prince Charles’s Highgrove hideout. In The Crown, Gatcombe is represented by Wrotham Park, a neoclassical mansion just north of London.

Wrotham Park’s extensive film and TV credits are impressive, showcasing its versatility. Although it’s known primarily for its stunning architecture, it’s also open for private hire—creating memorable moments in an elegant setting.

7. Althorp

Lady Diana’s ancestral home, Althorp, has been in her family for more than 500 years. In the show, this estate serves as a backdrop for her first meeting with Prince Charles, when she arrives to take her older sister out on a date.

The Althorp scenes were filmed at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. The real Althorp opens to the public during July and August, allowing guests to explore the estate’s rich history and beautifully landscaped grounds, though the grave of the late Princess Diana remains private.

8. Kensington Palace

Grand, gorgeous Kensington Palace in west London, birthplace of Queen Victoria, serves as Charles and Diana’s London residence in season four of The Crown. Producers chose a handful of venues to double as this important royal residence, led by the luxurious Hertfordshire stately home, Brocket Hall.

Brocket Hall, built in 1760, was one of Queen Victoria’s favorite estates. Presently, members of the public can stay in the luxurious Melbourne Lodge, a converted coach house that offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature.

9. Hedsor House

Hedsor House, a grand Georgian mansion on over 100 acres in Buckinghamshire, is a sought-after filming location for numerous television series. In season four of The Crown, its elegant interiors portray 10 Downing Street, the living quarters of the U.K.’s prime minister, played by Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher.

Unfortunately, unless attending a private event, the property remains off-limits to the public. However, Hedsor House can be rented overnight on rare occasions, allowing guests to experience its opulent atmosphere.