Film locations
From Arundel Castle to Blenheim Palace, discover the locations which provided such a stunning backdrop to The Young Victoria.
Ham House
Ham House, in Richmond-upon-Thames, doubles as Kensington Palace where the young Victoria grew up, virtually a captive in her own home. Here she lived, with her domineering mother and her mother's chamberlain, Sir John Conroy as her guardians, until she takes the throne after the death of her uncle William IV. Ham House is a fine Stuart mansion, on the banks of the Thames with lavish 17th century interiors and formal gardens with famous lavender parterres, known as the Cherry Garden.
Find out more about Ham House
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral provides the setting for Victoria's coronation, which actually took place in Westminster Abbey. Sometimes known as St Mary's Cathedral, this historic Anglican cathedral was also featured in The Da Vinci Code in 2005, again taking on the role of Westminster Abbey. The cathedral's interior features heavily in The Young Victoria and provides a stunning background to a pivotal moment in the young queen's life.
Find out more about Lincoln Cathedral
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace takes on two roles in The Young Victoria. Interior shots of the palace provide the setting for King Leopold of Belgium's palace in Brussels, while the exterior doubles as Buckingham Palace. Victoria was the first monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace, which can be visited during open days. In the film, interior shots of Lancaster House double as the lavish Buckingham Palace.
Find out more about Blenheim Palace
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle, which is situated close to Littlehampton on the South Coast of England, is used for numerous scenes and acts as screen double for Windsor Castle. Scenes featuring St George’s Gallery, the King’s Private Rooms, the Grand Reception Room and the Entrance Court and Entrance Gate are all shot here. There are nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle which is surrounded by magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun. It was built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel.
Find out more about Arundel Castle
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle in rural Leicestershire plays the parts of Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Great Park. Scenes featuring Victoria’s bedroom and the Dutchess’ Drawing Room were filmed at this grand venue. Belvoir, meaning beautiful view in French, dates back to Norman times. The English pronunciation 'Beaver' was built up over many centuries through the inability of Anglo-Saxons to master the French tongue. Belvoir has been the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for one thousand years and is currently the family home of 11th Duke and Duchess and their five children.
Find out more about Belvoir Castle
Ditchley Park
The mansion at Ditchley was built by the second Earl of Litchfield, a member of the Lee family, in 1722, to a design by James Gibbs. Set in the idyllic surroundings of the Oxfordshire countryside, Ditchley was visited on numerous occasions by Winston Churchill throughout the Second World War, as it was deemed safer than his traditional country residence, Chequers. During filming, this property was used to represent Buckingham Palace, in particular Victoria’s sitting room.
Find out more about Ditchley
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park was used for outdoor London scenes including representing the street, Constitution Hill. Covering 183 acres, Greenwich is the oldest Royal Park and home to a small herd of Fallow and Red deer. The park is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site and host to the Prime Meridian Line.
Find out more about Greenwich Park
Lancaster House
Situated in the heart of London, Lancaster House is used to double for the ballroom, passage and reception room of Buckingham Palace. Commissioned in 1825 by the ‘grand old’ Duke of York, York House – as it was then known – was a hub of social and political life throughout the nineteenth century and also renowned for its stunning Louis XIV interiors.
Find out more about Lancaster House
Osterley Park
Osterley Park in south west London is a magnificent neo-classical house with fine Adam interiors, landscape park and 18th-century gardens. It is used for Buckingham Palace scenes including Victoria’s sitting room and ante room.
Find out more about Osterley Park
Wilton House
Wilton House near Salisbury doubles as Buckingham Palace and Rosenau Castle and is used for scenes which feature Albert’s room, gardens and music room, as well as for the White Drawing Room. The house stands on the site of a ninth century nunnery founded by King Alfred. This, in turn, was replaced by a twelfth century Benedictine abbey which, with its surrounding lands, eventually ended up in the hands of William Herbert around 1542. It has remained in the family since that time.
Find out more about Wilton House
Other Victorian locations
Osborne House
After first visiting Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, England’s longest-reigning monarch wrote: ‘It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot’... Look out for Victorian opulence, extravagant interiors, and jaw-dropping Indian décor in the Durbar Room. However, Osborne was also built as a family home and as you walk through the Queen’s bedroom, the nursery rooms and even royal bathrooms, you get an intimate glimpse into royal family life.
Find out more about Osborne House
