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Wiltshire on TV and film

Wiltshire is full of historic sites and picturesque villages, so it’s no surprise that it has caught the eye of filmmakers and TV producers.

From action moves to period dramas, our patch has been the backdrop to some of the biggest productions.

Here are few locations you can explore, which are just a short drive from Salisbury.

Wilton House

If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, you’ll probably recognise Wilton House, just a 15-minute drive from Salisbury. This magnificent stately home and its grounds were transformed into Regency-era London for the Netflix series.

The 14,000-acre grounds, including the stunning Palladian Bridge, made appearances in several of the show’s outdoor scenes, and Wilton House itself stood in for four different residences.

The house was used as Queen Charlotte’s royal residence, Lady Danbury’s library, the dining room of Clyvedon Castle, and the home of the Duke of Hastings, where various scenes in corridors, studies, and a garden party were filmed.

Wilton House also made an appearance in The Crown, Netflix’s royal drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II – it was the backdrop for various royal gatherings and state occasions.

Wilton House is no stranger to Hollywood, either. It stood in for Mr. Darcy’s iconic Pemberley in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. The 2017 Tomb Raider reboot, starring Alicia Vikander, used the estate’s grand rooms and grounds for Croft Manor. In the 2009 film The Young Victoria many scenes were filmed at Wilton House including in the Double Cube Room – the iconic World War II headquarters where the D-Day landings where planned.

Wilton House has actually appeared in more than 40 films and TV series – you can see the full list on the website.

Old Wardour Castle

Located about 30 minutes from Salisbury, near the village of Tisbury, you’ll find Old Wardour Castle. The ruin dates back to the 1390s and in 1644, during the English Civil War, one side of it was blown up and never rebuilt.

Old Wardour Castle is perhaps best known for appearing in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner and Alan Rickman. The castle stood in for the Locksley family home, but enhanced with special effects, you may not have been able to tell!

Castle Combe

One of the most picturesque villages in Wiltshire, Castle Combe, is a favourite for film makers, especially those looking for the ‘quintessentially English’ backdrop.

In Stardust, the village of ‘Wall’ including the shop where Tristan (Charlie Cox) works, is Castle Combe. Famously dubbed “the prettiest village in England”, its stone cottages have been seen in the 1967 musical Dr Dolittle, as well as 2010s updating of The Wolfman with Benicio Del Toro, and Steven Spielberg’s film, War Horse.

Salisbury

If you’ve ever imagined Salisbury as the setting for a high-stakes James Bond chase, you’re in luck. No Time To Die (2021), starring Daniel Craig as 007, filmed some intense action sequences on the Ministry of Defence military training area on Salisbury Plain. The open space was used for explosions at Safin’s lair, intense car chases in Norway, and thrilling bunker-bomb scenes.

Salisbury Cathedral has also appeared on screen. It was the inspiration behind the 2010 TV mini-series Pillars of the Earth, based on the novel by Ken Follett. The famous cloisters at Salisbury Cathedral feature in the Spanish Princess, the 2019 TV drama based on novels by Philippa Gregory and some of Sense and Sensibility (1995) starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet was filmed in Cathedral Close.

Stonehenge

The ancient monument is one of the most famous and recognisable sites in the world, and it’s been featured in films and TV shows for decades. It was used in Doctor Who and has appeared in major productions like Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017).

In Thor, Dr. Erik Selvig, played by Stellan Skarsgård, is shown being arrested for being naked and dancing around Stonehenge. It was used as a battle site in Transformers, although the film studio did build a replica of the monument when it came to the actual battle scenes!

Wiltshire has had its fair share of screen time so wherever you visit in the county, you’re probably never far from a famous filming location. Keep an eye out the next time you’re watching something – you might just spot a place you know!