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The Crowns of England
United Kingdom
Netflix’s multi-award winning series "The Crown" has captured the hearts of Queen Elizabeth II fanatics, history lovers, and period-drama aficionados from all over the world. The engaging storylines, the cast’s superb performances, and the breathtaking sets leave us wanting more—we bet you binge-watched the whole series in one go! To keep us on a The Crown-induced high (and to tide us over until the next season), we’ve dug up the actual spots where the series filmed their theatrics! Head on over to the Queen’s homeland to discover spots where us common folk can have a taste of blue blood living!
Since Buckingham Palace is reserved only for the real Sovereign, The Crown’s Queen Elizabeth II (played by Claire Foy) finds home in Lancaster House instead, a stately home built in 1825 for the then-Duke of York and Albany, son of George III. The opulent interiors highlight wrought iron staircases, scarlet carpets, and elegant lamps—reflecting the grandeur of the royal residence perfectly. Gifted to the nation in 1913, Lancaster House is run by The Foreign & Commonwealth Office who holds events in its lavish rooms. Although closed to the public, it’s possible to book tours through the government website. Try to visit during the annual Open House London on September to get into the abode for free!
- +44 20 7008 2711
Stable Yard, St. James's, London, United Kingdom
- https://www.gov.uk/government/history/lancaster-house
Watch the royals and their guests come and go at Buckingham Palace’s Courtyard—oh wait, it’s the Old Royal Naval College! A UNESCO World Heritage site, the complex of historical buildings located at the heart of Maritime Greenwich held an important role in English past. It was the birthplace of the Tudors (Henry VIII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I), the whereabouts of Anne Boleyn during her arrest, a stage for Shakespeare’s plays, and the Royal Hospital for Seamen before it became the one of the best naval schools in Europe from 1873 to 1997. To resemble the actual yard, a portico was attached to the Old Royal Naval College’s facade, so look closely to see its similarity to the show’s driveway. Open daily, the structure also houses a beautiful Painted Hall and a neo-classical Chapel.
- +44 20 8269 4799
King William Walk, Greenwich, United Kingdom
- https://www.ornc.org/
Only England’s true monarchs are allowed to get married at Westminster Abbey, so The Crown’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (portrayed by Matt Smith) said their royal “I do’s” at Ely Cathedral, an Anglican church near Cambridge. Built in 1083, the Norman style basilica boasts grand cast iron doors, splendid stained glass windows, and towering archways—perfect to stand in for the iconic abbey church in London. You’re free to enter Ely Cathedral daily, but take a peek at the schedule of activities on their website for an unbothered trip. Splurge a little extra to see the entirety of the church, which features the whole ground floor, the Octagon and Lantern towers, and the National Stained Glass Museum.
- +44 1353 667735
Chapter House, The College, Ely City, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
- https://www.elycathedral.org/
Lyceum Theatre, a 1765 Beaux Arts landmark in London’s West End, has hosted many galas over the years—including a royal party during The Crown’s first season. An amalgam of styles and eras dating back to 1765, the playhouse is one of the United Kingdom’s most prominent and important theaters, holding various plays and musicals throughout the year. Today until September 2018, Lyceum Theatre holds shows for Disney’s The Lion King!
- +44 844 871 3000
21 Wellington Street, London. United Kingdom
- https://www.thelyceumtheatre.com/
Woodchester Mansion stood in for Gordonstoun—the esteemed Scottish school—in season two of The Crown. The haunting splendor of the building lends to the dramatic atmosphere of Prince Charles and Prince Philip’s challenging school days. Aside from the spirit of the character’s struggle looming in its halls, the Victorian Gothic house carries a plethora of ghost stories, making it a point of interest for fans of horror. The Crown fanatics (and brave souls) are invited to visit Woodchester Mansion every Friday to Sunday. There’s one guided tour for the morning and another one for the afternoon, but private tours are also available for big groups.
- +44 1453 861541
B4066, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
- https://www.woodchestermansion.org.uk/
In the latter part of The Crown’s first season, we see the Queen Mother (played by Victoria Hamilton) be enchanted by Castle of Mey which she purchased, restored, and used as a holiday home for the next half century. The exterior of the gorgeous fortress in the series is actually New Slains Castle—or at least, its remains—found on a cliffside overlooking the North Sea. Built in the 16th century by the 9th Earl of Erroll, the original six-mile property was blown up by King James VI after learning that the aristocrat contributed a traitorous plot. Today, the ruins of New Slains Castle continue to invite guests (with great caution) to enjoy its marvelous architecture and beautiful surrounding vistas.
A975, Cruden Bay, Peterhead, United Kingdom
The Crown has used Eltham Palace as a backdrop for many of its travel-themed locations, including the HMSS Queen Mary and the Queen’s quarters of the Royal Yacht Britannia. The Art Deco mansion was an ideal spot for the boat sequences, since the rooms on the first floor resembled cabins of luxury cruise liners during the 1930’s. Perhaps the most notable use of Eltham House was during the fashion show scene in the second season, where designer Norman Hartnell paraded dresses for Her Royal Highness to choose from. A visit to the impressive property—aside, of course, from embarking on a similar Queen-esque journey—merits a look into magical award-winning gardens, as well as other immersive activities such as games and music-playing.
- +44 20 8924 2548
Court Yard, Greenwich, London, England
- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/elthampalace
Balmoral Castle holds a special place in the Queen’s heart, as it is her go-to retreat during holidays. The Crown’s film crew were unable to book the real place, but Ardverikie Estate in Inverness-shire captured the essence of the summer manor just right. From its beginnings as a hunting lodge in the 1840’s, the structure has expanded to become the 19th century baronial house it is now. Vacation like Elizabeth II at any of Ardverikie Estate’s stunning rooms, which are open for accommodation. In between your royal beauty rests, walk along the premises’ unspoilt wilderness of forests and lochs.
- +44 1528 544300
Kinloch Laggan, Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Audley End House was mainly used for flashback scenes of the Queen and Princess Margaret (played by Verity Russell and Beau Gadsdon, respectively) during their childhood days. The Jacobean mansion’s portrait-lined halls worked as the girls’ study, while the upstairs library stood in for Eton College, where a young Elizabeth II questioned the discrepancy between her education and that of her peers. Now managed by English Heritage, Audley End House is open to the public for a fee. Catch some of the property’s events—a lot of which include horse shows!
Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom
- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/audleyend
One of the oldest airfields in England, Shoreham Airport plays a special part in The Crown as itself. The Art Deco terminal is seen during the Queen’s air travels, which include her arrival from South Africa after her father’s death, and her trips with Peter Townsend (portrayed by Ben Miles) to and from Northern Ireland. Today, Shoreham Airport is part of Brighton City Airport—an airfield used by flying schools and private aircrafts. In between waving hellos from the tarmac, try to get yourself behind the wheel of a plane for an out-of-this-world experience!
- +44 1273 467373
Cecil Pashley Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, United Kingdom
- https://flybrighton.com/
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