Have you ever sat down to watch one of your favourite television shows or films and thought to yourself: ‘Wow, that’s a unique house’? British TV has featured a host of interesting homes that have us wishing we lived there, with many encapsulating unique architectural styles from this nation perfectly.
In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most famous non-standard homes featured in some of the best TV shows and films in the UK.
Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle)
Used in all five series of the show and both feature films, Highclere Castle is a big part of Downton Abbey’s storytelling. Seeing the real-life castle’s exterior each episode sets the scene of an early 20th-century Yorkshire estate, filled with period drama, the world has been obsessed with since 2011.
The fictional Downton Abbey is home to the upper-class Crawley family plus their servants, and this isn’t completely different to Highclere Castle’s history. Sitting in Hampshire, the castle’s estate dates back to the eighth century and has been home to generations of aristocracy, plus the royal family briefly had possession in the 16th century.
The Jacobethan and Italianate style renovation was created with help from Sir Charles Barry, and the impressive 8,000 acres has been carefully taken care of for centuries. Barry was the architect behind the Houses of Parliament, which is why some of Highclere’s gothic lines are so similar.
The Eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon now live in the nearly 300-room castle, and they do allow visitors. There’s even an Egyptian exhibition as the Fifth Earl was an integral part of discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Juliet and Peter’s Home, Love Actually (27 St Luke’s Mews)
If you remember the infamous scene in 2003 rom-com, Love Actually, where Juliet (Keira Knightley) opens her door to Mark (Andrew Lincoln) and his placards, you probably also eyed up the pink house it takes place in.
It’s located at St Luke’s Mews in affluent Notting Hill, sitting amongst many other contemporary homes selling for eye-watering prices. It has multiple floors and a chic aesthetic that many would love to live in, plus the added bonus of a roof terrace.
The iconic pink exterior is easily recognisable, and the house itself is very popular on guided tours. The current owner wasn’t actually aware of her house’s famous past, so she finds the attention fascinating (she does wish people would stop looking through her windows, though).
The understated Victorian architecture is lovely to look at, plus it’s part of a bustling area in our country’s capital, which has also had shows like Peep Show filmed there.
Trenwith House, Poldark (Chavenage House)
Keeping audiences captivated since 2015, this brooding period drama features Trenwith House, the grand home of the Poldark family. Trenwith House is based in Cornwall, but its real-life counterpart, Chavenage House, is actually in Gloucestershire.
Poldark is set in the 18th century, but the Chavenage estate dates back to the ninth century. Notable owners of the home include Thomas Seymour, Edward Stephens, and George Williams Lowsley-Hoole, whose direct descendants now own the house.
Edward Stephens bought the estate in 1564, which is why the house itself has an Elizabethan style. Elegant panelling and carvings in several rooms, plus the eye-catching billiard room, were added by Henry Hannes Willis in 1801. Architect John Thomas Micklewaite would then add the east wing.
Over the last 400 years, the house has been preserved with care, making it ideal as a filming location. Poldark isn’t the only show that has actually used the house, with the 2024 series Rivals also utilising it as Declan O’Hara’s fictional home.
Otis and Jean’s House, Sex Education (Symonds Yat Chalet)
For architecture lovers, Otis’ red and white home is a highlight of Netflix’s raunchy comedy, Sex Education. It’s based in the village of Symonds Yat and down the road from the University of Wales, surrounded by stunning woodlands that almost hide it from sight.
This lovely chalet has a recognisable Norwegian style, with a colourful exterior and interior. It was built in 1912, but the current look is down to the creative restoration of the current owners, who purchased it in 2002. It’s been extended seamlessly with several spaces added and completely new plumbing added.
A highlight of this rural home is the decked balcony that has a truly breathtaking view, plus there’s a staircase that takes you straight down to the River Wye.
Sex Education fans love to visit Symonds Yat, including the chalet, and the locals have gotten used to it, so as long as you’re respectful, you could add it to your travel bucket list.
Pemberley, Pride and Prejudice (Chatsworth House)
Based on the 1813 Jane Austen novel of the same name, 2005’s Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, utilised the stunning Chatsworth House as Mr Darcy’s estate.
Pemberley’s size and grandeur represent Mr Darcy’s wealth and status, so with 35,000 acres, Chatsworth Estate fits the bill perfectly. Belonging to the Devonshire family for 17 generations, the Derbyshire home is a history lover’s dream.
Built in the 15th century before being updated in the 17th, it’s home to countless artworks and historical artefacts. In the 1800s, the Sixth Duke of Devonshire would renovate further to match his social, bachelor lifestyle. A lot of the current aesthetic, plus the gardens (which include the record-breaking Emperor’s Fountain) are thanks to him, architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville and gardener Joseph Paxton.
It’s survived civil war, world wars, visits from the royals and financial struggles, so with all that history behind it, we can see why, arguably, the most popular Jane Austen adaptation included this beautiful building.
221B Baker Street, Sherlock (187 North Gower Street)
Home to one of TV and literature’s favourite twosomes, Watson and Holmes, 221B Baker Street is portrayed in the BBC series, Sherlock, by this quaint Bloomsbury address. Ironically, it’s about a mile away from the real Baker Street.
Sitting next to Speedy’s Cafe, a regular spot for the detective duo, 187 isn’t overly unique in its design, sitting in the nation’s capital, but the magic comes from the fans who still actively visit, keeping the space busy.
The real 221B has a blue plaque noting that Sherlock Holmes ‘lived’ there, but 187 has its own blue plaque. Apparently, Italian patriot Giuseppe Mazzini lived there.
It’s very close to Euston station, so if you want to visit the TV-famous spot, you can get there easily.
Geraldine’s Cottage, The Vicar of Dibley, (Turnville Cottage)
Found in Buckinghamshire, this little cottage was the home of the hilarious Geraldine Granger for three series of The Vicar of Dibley, hosting a plethora of memorable antics.
The village of Turnville is incredibly charming and has been used as a filming location for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Midsomer Murders, Killing Eve and Goodnight Mr Tom so, it makes sense that the popular 1990s sitcom would head there too.
In a classic Tudor-style design, the cottage has been fairly well-kept, looking nearly identical as it did 30 years ago while featured in the series with loyal fans of the show still visiting to take a look. St Mary the Virgin Church, which acted as St Barnabas in the sitcom, is also a beloved stop for fans.
Though the cottage itself hasn’t been publicly sold to new owners, the Grade II-listed ‘Church Cottage’ next door (which was also seen on the show) was up for sale in 2022 for £900,000, which gives us an idea of what Geraldine’s old home could go for.
The Bridgerton Family Home, Bridgerton (Ranger’s House)
Equal parts racy and demure, Bridgerton is a cultural phenomenon that has changed how many of us see horse-drawn carriages. Part of the period drama’s DNA is the historical locations used for the exterior shots. This includes Ranger’s House, which plays the titular Bridgerton family’s main residence in the series.
The Bridgerton’s home is supposed to be in regency-era Mayfair but Ranger’s House is actually in another part of London, Greenwich. It’s a Georgian Villa, originally owned by wealthy naval officer, Francis Hosier and designed by architect, John James. For Hosier, it was in the perfect location as it was near the River Thames and the Royal Hospital for Seamen.
Hosier sadly died at sea only a few years into owning his home and after it was passed between a couple of Lords and an Earl, it landed in the hands of Richard Hulse, a barrister, art collector and deputy governor of the Hudson Bay Company of Canada. He added a new north wing and then the house became the official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park (hence the name of the house now). Notable rangers included royals such as Caroline, Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline) and Prince Arthur of Connaught.
Since that, Ranger’s House has had many lives, briefly becoming tea rooms, community changing rooms (while the grounds were used for sports), and then headquarters for the No. 2 Reserve Horse Transport Depot. It has now been restored multiple times and is owned by English Heritage. It’s also home to the Wernher Collection, a private art collection which you can book to visit.
Insuring your non-standard home
For when regular home insurance just won’t cover your circumstances, Adrian Flux has a selection of non-standard home insurance policies so you can find one to suit you and your needs.
Call us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that suits you.