Seven new Bridgerton filming locations you can visit

Bridgerton is back, and from London palaces to Bath ballrooms, here are some of the best places to experience Regency-era England.

The 16 May release of season three of Netflix's mega hit Bridgerton has inspired fans to do more than just watch the show's Regency-era high society seduction and scandal unfold. Fans of the series are increasingly booking trips to some the show's iconic filming locations, with the British rail- and bus-booking platform Trainline reporting that trips to Bridgerton-based destinations across England increasing by an average of 50% in the last year, and 135% year over year among American travellers.

According to VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, Bridgerton's newest season presents an opportunity to "promote [Britain's] world-renowned history and heritage and associated experiences to a global audience, inspiring visitors to come and see the filming locations and destinations for themselves."

From London palaces to Bath ballrooms, here are seven places around England where fans can experience Bridgerton's lavish drama for themselves.

Bridgerton lovers have much to see in England's bustling capital. A visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew Palace along the River Thames is a must for watchers of the Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Kew Palace was where King George III and Queen Charlotte lived with their family, and much of that history is preserved on site as a museum. Many scenes in the prequel were filmed at Kew's Belton House and the King's Observatory, built in 1769 at George's behest so he could observe Venus' transit.

Bookish Eloise and Penelope fans can't miss a trip to Hatchard's, London's oldest book shop, founded in 1797. While in the Piccadilly area, viewers can visit St James's Church, where the dramatic wedding scene between Anthony Bridgerton and Edwina Sharma took place in season two. Because it is a working church, fans will need to attend a service to view the interior filming locations.

There's a lot more Bridgerton to see in Greater London. A bit east in Greenwich, the Queen's House is the filming site of Somerset House, where the royal ball was hosted for Prince Friedrich of Prussia. The Old Royal Naval College and the Ranger's House also lent their exterior facades to many scenes to reflect the authentic architecture of Regency-era London. In the borough of Richmond, you can also visit Hampton Court Palace. Scenes were filmed in the Master Carpenter's Court, Fountain Court, Clock Court, Base Court, the King's Stairs and the Gardens.

An hour east of London, the town of Chatham is home to the cobblestone streets where Lady Featherington strolled with her ward, Marina, during a trip to see the slums, as well as The Historic Dockyard where the boxing saloon was staged in season one. There, the Duke practiced his one-two punch with his sparring partner Will Mondrich. Mondrich's character was inspired by Bill Richmond, a prominent Black boxer in Regency-era England sometimes called "Britain's first Black sports star".

The elegant city of Bath in south-west England has a starring role in the Bridgerton. "The city's golden, Georgian stone and grand buildings make the perfect stand-in for Regency London and provide fabulous inspiration for visitors planning a trip to the UK and Bath," a spokesperson at Visit West, Bath's tourism body, told the BBC. 

After the 90-minute train ride from London, Bridgerton fans' first stop in Bath should be the iconic Holbourne Museum. "We're delighted to be known as 'Lady Danbury's House' from Bridgerton and welcome the many tourists who come to take pictures of our beautiful Regency building," a museum's spokesperson told the BBC. Originally built as the Sydney Hotel in 1794, the Holbourne and its half-acre of stunning gardens have drawn discerning crowds for centuries. The hotel was converted into a museum in 1916, and one of Queen Charlotte's wigs is now on display.

"Queen Charlotte herself stayed opposite the Sydney Hotel on Sydney Place when she came to Bath 'to take the waters' in 1817, which were believed to help a variety of health conditions," the spokesperson said. While you're there, look out for a portrait of Queen Charlotte, a snuffbox from roughly 1770 and a mantel clock by a watchmaker to Queen Charlotte – each authentic to the time period in the Bridgerton series.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is home to the row of Georgian townhouses that serve as the facade of the Featherington residence in the series. Built between 1767 and 1775, the curve of the Royal Crescent is immediately recognisable, as is its manicured lawn overlooking Royal Victoria Park.

To get the most out of your whistle-stop visit, book a Bridgerton themed walking tour, followed by a quintessentially English afternoon tea at The Pump Room Restaurant, The Abbey Hotel Tea Bar or Roseate Villa Bath, where you can sip a cup of "Lady Whistledown" tea. For a bite, stop by The Abbey Deli, which was repurposed as Madame Delacroix's Modiste shop throughout the series.

On 15 June, visitors can attend the The Fancy Ball at the National Trust's Bath Assembly Rooms, where many ballroom scenes between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset were filmed. The occasion beckons attendees to dress in authentic Bridgerton-era formalwear for one night only.

If you miss the main event, the Dressing Fancy exhibit on Georgian attire will be on display through 30 June.

The ancient, walled city of York in north-east England is home to the Castle Howard and gardens (called Clyvedon Estate in the series) where Simon Basset and Daphne Bridgerton spend their honeymoon. "On 19 May and 23 June, visitors can enjoy a picnic afternoon tea in the beautiful grounds of Castle Howard whilst listening to the show's soundtrack played by a string quartet," said Yates.

Just under a two-hour train ride from London, Castle Howard offers lots to do. For just £5 for adults and £3 for children, you can book a beautiful cruise on the estate's North Lake. Access to Skelf Island and its adventure ground is included in a Gardens Ticket. The tree-top ropes course and climbing equipment are open to all ages.

Kingston Bagpuize House & Gardens is a new filming location for Bridgerton season three, but it was previously featured in Downton Abbey. The closest rail station is Didcot Parkway, and children under 11 get in free (adults can see both the house and the gardens for just £10).

While in Oxfordshire, you can visit Blenheim Palace, a Unesco World Heritage Site which stands in for Buckingham House, Queen Charlotte and King George III's home in the show. The English Baroque architecture and stonework made it an ideal filming location.

The county of Surrey, just south-west of London, is an easy train trip from the capital for fans of the show to get their fill. In season one of Bridgerton, Painshill Park is where the Featherington family picnic took place. Rumour has it that it will make another appearance in season three.

Created by Charles Hamilton to evoke a living landscape painting, it has 1800s and modern-day appeal. From 25 May to 25 June, book a visit to the Bugs and Butterflies Trail, where visitors can hike through the garden grounds while keeping their eyes peeled for insects and pollinators. Don't leave without seeing the breathtaking grottos and lake, and sampling Painshill's sparkling wine and winter gin.

According to Jody Ford, Trainline's CEO, the Bridgerton cast was spotted filming a scene at Claydon House in Buckinghamshire for season three. While we still don't know how many scenes were filmed there, we do know that the 18th-Century country house was a regular destination for Florence Nightingale.

Unlike other historical homes, a tour of Claydon House's museum room is an immersive experience. While the entire house has been the seat of the Verney family since 1620, many of its rooms are open to public visitors. Volunteers lead tours where visitors can sit on the couches and touch the furniture, just as a Bridgerton resident might have done more than 200 years ago.

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