Luxury UK Staycations
The long-anticipated final four episodes of Bridgerton Season 3 have landed on our Netflix screens. The latest instalment of the Regency-era drama, based on Julia Quinn’s historical romances and directed by Shonda Rhimes, continues to follow the ‘will they, won’t they’ love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). As well as the stellar cast and visually rich production, the series also serves up a dose of travel inspiration, taking us on a tour of some of the UK’s most beautiful locations and stately homes. Here’s where to follow in the footsteps of the Bridgertons when booking your next luxury staycation…Â
The Glossary Edit
luxury staycations inspired by Bridgerton
Bath, Somerset
THE FILMING LOCATION:
The Royal Crescent
The third season of Bridgerton may be set in London but, as with the previous shows, Bath features heavily as a stand-in for the city, and the elegant Royal Crescent makes frequent appearances. Built by John Wood in the late 18th century, the magnificent, curved row of palatial Georgian houses is a must-visit if you are looking for a luxury staycation in the city. Make a special pilgrimage to the beautifully restored No.1 Royal Crescent, now a museum, which doubles as the Featheringtons’ London home.
1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR
no1royalcrescent.org.uk
THE HOTEL:
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Just a few doors down, you’ll find The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. The vibe here is heritage chic, with each of the rooms combining sumptuous fabrics and period furniture with all the mod cons to ensure a luxe stay. Bag one of the rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the historic Royal Crescent lawns. Downstairs, the Spa & Bath House is dedicated to self-indulgence with an extensive holistic treatment menu and excellent sauna, steam and pool facilities. If you’re going to retox, do it in style in the hotel’s Montagu’s Mews bar – the Bridgertons would surely approve of a chilled glass of Taittinger.Â
16 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS;
royalcrescent.co.uk
HERTFORDSHIRE
THE FILMING LOCATION:
Hatfield HouseÂ
Hatfield House returns to our screens once again in the third series, its lavish rooms doubling up as the interiors of the Featherington’s London residence. Home to the Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury, the fine Jacobean house is open for the summer season; and do make time to explore the stunning parkland and gardens, complete with the magnificent Renaissance water sculpture, designed by one of Britain’s most prolific sculptors Angela Conner.
Hatfield House, Great North Road, Hatfield, AL9 5HX;
hatfield-house.co.uk
THE HOTEL:
The Grove
This opulent five-star hotel – the former home of the Earls of Clarendon – is just 18 miles from the centre of London (and 14 miles from Hatfield House) – and yet, it has all the feels of a rural retreat. Set in 300 acres, it’s a haven of tranquillity offering everything from perfectly manicured lawns to an ornamental canal and championship golf course. Choose one of the recently refurbished rooms or suites in the Grade II-listed mansion for the full period drama effect. There’s a wide range of restaurants and the newly renovated Sequoia Spa does delicious Bamford treatments. Afterwards, take a turn around the secluded walled garden, which is lined with rambling roses and fruit trees, or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool.Â
Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, WD3 4TG
thegrove.co.uk
WILTSHIRE
THE FILMING LOCATION:
Wilton House
It’s not hard to see why producers have returned to Wilton House, the 14,000-acre country seat of the Earls of Pembroke. Set in the rolling Wiltshire countryside just outside Salisbury, Wilton House has a series of ornate staterooms and a world-renowned art collection which includes works by the greats, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Pieter Brueghel. Its Single Cube Room, a state room designed by Inigo Jones in the 1500s, is the one you might spot in Bridgerton, where it is used as the setting for Queen Charlotte on her throne.
Wilton House, Wilton, Salisbury, SP2 0BJ
wiltonhouse.co.uk
THE HOTEL:
Lucknam Park
Arriving at Lucknam, you know you are in for a grand old time as you sweep up through an avenue of lime and beech trees towards the 18th century Palladian mansion-turned-luxury hotel. Bike — or ride —around its 500 acres before soothing any worn-out limbs in the handsome spa; we recommend the heated outdoor therapy room after a spoiling massage. For dinner? Its chandelier-strewn restaurant Hywel Jones has a Michelin star; try the signature seasonal tasting menu, with dishes such as Cornish lobster and Brecon lamb with morel mushrooms.
Colerne, Thickwood, Chippenham, SN14 8AZ;
lucknampark.co.uk
SURREY
THE FILMING LOCATION:
Painshill Park
Also making a reappearance in Season 3 is Painshill Park, Cobham, this time as the site where Lord Hawkins debuts his hot air balloon. The Park is a spectacular Surrey garden, landscaped in the mid-18th century by aristocrat the Hon. Charles Hamilton. Hamilton embarked on two Grand Tours across Europe as a young man, amassing ancient artefacts and romantic notions of creating a garden that appeared as a ‘living painting’ — something he would succeed in after acquiring the land at Painshill. A stroll around its acres reveals everything from a Gothic tower to a ruined abbey via a vineyard – and look out for its much-lauded lake and Chinese bridge which appear multiple times in the Netflix production.
Painshill Park, Portsmouth Rd, Cobham KT11 1JE;
painshill.co.uk
THE HOTEL:
Beaverbrook
Not far away is magnificent Beaverbrook. The country house hotel, nestled in the picturesque Surrey Hills, was once the home of press baron Lord Beaverbrook who was a consummate host, entertaining the beau monde at his 470-acre estate. Indeed, it has fed, watered and entertained the 20th century great and the good, from Winston Churchill to Elizabeth Taylor — with the various suites in the main house named after these illustrious guests. The Dowager suite is worth it for the divine and enormous pale pink bathroom alone. Then it’s a simple case of papers by the fire, Champagne cocktails in the Robin’s Nest Bar, followed by sushi and sake pairings in the restaurant.
Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8QX
beaverbrook.co.uk
OXFORDSHIRE
THE FILMING LOCATION:
Blenheim Palace
Though we saw it in Queen Charlotte, this is the palace’s debut in Bridgerton, appearing as the exterior of Buckingham House in series 3. The seat of the Dukes of Marlborough is impressive to say the least, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture with a park landscaped by Capability Brown. It was built as a gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from Queen Anne in the early 18th century. Today it houses one of the most important collections of portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries in Europe. There’s much to do here, whether exploring the opulent state rooms or walking around the grounds with its photogenic lake, cascading water features and huge adventure playground.
Blenheim Park, Woodstock, OX20 1PS
blenheimpalace.com
THE HOTEL:
Estelle Manor
Mere minutes down the road, Estelle Manor is the idyllic rural retreat – the Grade II-listed neo-Jacobean mansion is set in 3,000 acres of sweeping parkland and landscaped gardens. But this is a country haven for a new generation, where the vibe is unstuffy and fun. The decor reflects this fresh spin on luxury with carefully sourced antiques set against eclectic artworks and sumptuous, jewel-toned furnishings. The restaurants are under the expert helm of chef Richard Bias, while the 3,000 sq metre Roman-inspired bathhouse and spa – Eynsham Baths – is quite something. On sunny days, you’ll likely find guests on the South Terrace, sipping rosé by the Riviera-inspired 25-metre pool or battling it out on one of the outdoor Padel courts.
Eynsham Park, Oxfordshire OX29 6PN
estellemanor.com
YORKSHIRE
THE FILMING LOCATION:
Castle Howard
No stranger to the small screen, Castle Howard near York has played its part in 2008’s Brideshead Revisited as well as Bridgerton in 2020. A colossal 18th century pile that is more palace than castle, it has been home to three centuries of the Howard family. Exhibitions, curated archives and myriad artworks aside, there are sublime gardens to wander around with woodlands, lakes, fountains and temples.
Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA,
castlehoward.co.uk
THE HOTEL:
The Talbot Malton
Foodies will adore The Talbot at Malton. Owned by lifestyle doyenne Alice Naylor-Leyland’s husband Tom, it is a 17th century coaching inn perched on the River Derwent just shy of the North York moors. Just across the road is Talbot Yard, which shelters a brace of local producers, from gin to ice cream. Of course the hotel’s own food is superlative too and as locally sourced as possible, so look out for catch from Whitby Bay. After a day’s eating, both in-house and out, sink into one of the Talbot’s four posters for some well-earned rest.Â
The Talbot Malton, Yorkersgate, Malton, YO17 7AJ;
talbotmalton.co.uk
BERKSHIRE
THE FILMING LOCATION:
Basildon Park
Though we caught glimpses of Basildon Park in Berkshire as the Featherington’s garden, in series three the 18th century mansion’s interiors also make an appearance as the home of wealthy widow Lady Tilley Arnold. Set in 400 acres of parkland, the 18th century mansion was acquired by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s, after it was de-requisitioned following the Second World War. The couple lovingly revived the estate over the following years, bringing it back to life by acquiring a wonderful collection of fine furnishings and Old Master paintings. They also masterminded the landscaping, resulting in a spot that’s glorious in the summer months.
Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 9NR
nationaltrust.org.uk
THE HOTEL:
Cliveden House
An hour or so by car will bring you to Cliveden House, the neoclassical manor-turned-five-star retreat that was once the seat of the Astor family. Approaching the hotel along its sweeping drive sets the tone and you can easily imagine any one of Cliveden’s grand guests arriving for a weekend away (past visitors have included everyone from Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill to the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle). For a stay with a difference, book the hotel’s three-bedroom Spring Cottage. The 19th-century building, which has been exquisitely restored, sits on the banks of the River Thames, its private garden gently sloping down to the water’s edge. Guests can use the facilities at the hotel – you’ll likely want to make a beeline for the outdoor heated pool, which is flanked by comfortable loungers and two enormous hot tubs.Â
Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF
clivedenhouse.co.uk
Bridgerton is on Netflix.
