One of the largest and best preserved monastic sites in England, Castle Acre priory has recently played the setting for the opening sequence in Stephen Poliakoff’s new feature film “Glorious 39”. The movie tells a mysterious tale set around a traditional British family on the eve of World War Two, staring Bill Nighy, David Tennant and Romola Gari, who you may recognise from the recent BBC version of Emma. See a preview of the movie at www.glorious39-movie.com; you may even spot Castle Acre priory!
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Wrest Park is probably best known for its spectacular gardens, however early this year the sumptuous interior was shown off in all its glory in Lily Allen’s “The Fear” music video.

In the playful, Alice In Wonderland-esque video, Lily sings about the pitfalls of fame as she dances around the large country mansion full of oversized presents, balloon people and dancing waiters.
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Set in tranquil parkland with panoramic views over London, Kenwood House boasts sumptuous interiors and important paintings by many great artists. With such a spectacular location and interior it’s no surprise the house has appeared in numerous blockbuster movies including Notting Hill (1998) starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, where it doubled as Henry James’ movie shoot and then in1999 providing the backdrop for Mansfield Park starring Harold Pinter.
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Once the childhood home of Henry VIII, Eltham Palace been the setting for many dramatic scenes. In recent years it’s also been the setting for photo shoots, popular TV drama, including Poirot, adverts including the current Debenhams Christmas advert which you can watch here and of course numerous films.

In 2008 the dining room doubled as the wood panelled lounge of a luxury ocean liner in Brideshead Revisited (2008). More recently the elegant palace played host to a 40s period piece “Shanghai” starring John Cusack (which comes out later this year). The movie revolves around an American ex-pat who returns to Shanghai in the months before Pearl Harbour due to the death of his friend. .
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One of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th-century English manor house, Aydon Castle was used as the backdrop for the feature film “Elizabeth”. Starring Cate Blanchett the film follows the historic early years of England's Tudor Queen and deals with the twin themes of power and politics.

Filming took place in the North East for two months and many of Northumberland's stunning castles featured in the film. Three scenes were filmed at Aydon as it doubled as a torture chamber in the Tower of London, the rooms of Walsingham, and even the interior of a country manor house where Amy, the wife of Robert Dudley, is dramatically thrown downstairs.

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Dover Castle is a must stop for the historical movie buff. Transformed into the Tower of London for the beheading of Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) in “The Other Boleyn Girl”, the property was one of the more gruesome locations of the film. The filming was quite an ordeal - a room within the Keep was fashioned to create Anne’s cell (using a false wall), all the windows in the Keep yard had false fronts so they looked Tudor, not Napoleonic, ready for Anne’s be-heading (multiple on the day!), and the top car park was covered in a dark brown substance and a scaffold erected, ready for Lord Roachford to be dragged and beheaded in front of a baying crowd of extras.
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The beloved seaside retreat of Queen Victoria today offers a glimpse into the private family life of Britain's longest reigning monarch. With its magnificent Royal Apartments and extensive grounds it has also in recent years formed the back drop for the Oscar nominated “Mrs Brown” starring Judy Dench and Billy Connolly. Based on events following Victoria’s retreat to Osborne House after Prince Albert’s death, Osborne provided the perfect setting.
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Where better to film a movie about Charles Darwin than in his very own home! “Creation” starring Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly, focuses on Darwin’s family life and in particular the relationship he had with his daughter Annie.

A number of scenes in the film were shot at Down House in Kent, where Darwin lived and worked for 40 years.
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Romantics out there are sure to remember the blockbuster movie of the early 90s - Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. In this classic retelling of the timeless legend, Robin Hood (played by Kevin Costner) robs from the rich to give to the poor, and in the process has his own heart stolen away by a woman's smile.

What movie buffs may not know is that old Wardour Castle was used to depict Robin’s ancestral home. Shortly after the film opens his father (actor Brian Blessed) rides to his death through the gates of Old Wardour when the masked Sheriff of Nottingham arrives with a party of horsemen. The film company temporarily altered the gateway with a mock timber facade for this scene.

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