Have you seen it yet? Watched the whole series in one weekend? We thought so. Netflix original The Crown is back on our screens and we just can’t tear ourselves away. While we’re royally impressed with Emma Corrin’s portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales and have been wowed once again by Olivia Colman’s regal reign as Her Royal Highness herself, what we’re really intrigued by are the stars of the background – The Crown’s filming locations! Because while the storyline may have transported us from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral, we happen to know not all is as it seems. Prepared for a little movie magic? Let’s get set jetting in Hertfordshire…
Picture it - the gates are opened and the music builds as a car containing a “member of the Royal Family” draws up in front of one of the world’s most iconic palaces, or so we all thought… You may not think it, but the three acre backlot at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire conceals a full sized exterior of Buckingham Palace, used throughout all four series of The Crown. And it doesn’t stop there, as this movie making icon is also home to the outside of Downing Street (no, Gillian Anderson wasn’t really waving outside number 10), the living quarters of the Palace, private plane interiors and even the cabinet rooms. Phew.
Balmoral, The Queen’s Scottish residence and the setting for those strained scenes between Margaret Thatcher and the Royal Family in season four (anyone for a game of Ibble Dibble?) Where is this romantic Scottish icon in The Crown? Knebworth House, of course. A fairytale house that’s been the setting of Batman The Movie, and The King’s Speech, it’s no surprise this magnificent manor was chosen as the location of some of those jaw dropping scenes inside Balmoral. Fancy a bit more of a look around? Of course you do…step inside
It’s all about opulence and grandeur when it comes to recreating the various palace interiors, and Hatfield House’s regal rooms really fit the bill. Keep an eye out for this historic gem as it graces the screen not only as the palace interiors in The Crown, but also in award-winning films, The Favourite and The King’s Speech. And, as the childhood home of all three of King Henry VIII’s children, it’s safe to say it has more than enough royal history of its own. Ready to take a peek?
There has been many a tense scene between The Queen and her Prime Ministers during the course of The Crown, but some of our favourites have to be between Olivia Colman and Gillian Anderson. Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire serves as the private audience room where Her Majesty predicts Thatcher’s proposed cabinet and even learns that sometimes parents really do have a favourite child. What’s more, this Hertfordshire house also doubled up as Princess Anne’s residence, Gatcombe Park during filming, taking us from London to Gloucestershire, when we really never left Hertfordshire.
Have we piqued your interest? Find out even more about the rest of The Crown's filming locations...