Numerous popular TV series have filmed in the Cotswolds, including major dramas like Downton Abbey (using Bampton for the village), the crime series Father Brown (filmed in Blockley), and historical dramas like Poldark (using Chavenage House). Other productions include This Country, Sister Boniface Mysteries, and features like Bridget Jones's Diary, showcasing the region's iconic villages and stately homes.
The Cotswold village of Bampton doubles as the fictional village of Downton in the hit drama series Downton Abbey. Many of the houses, church and pub exteriors have been used in the filming.
A young Jersey actress has landed a role in Disney+'s latest series of Rivals, the comedy-drama based on Dame Jilly Cooper's bestselling novel. Amelie Child-Villiers, 17, plays Beatrice Baddingham, the on-screen sibling of David Tennant's real life daughter, Olive in the 1980s drama set in the Cotswolds.
Poldark, Chavenage, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. Chavenage House is a wonderful Elizabethan house of mellow Cotswold stone which is a family home as well as often being used as a location for TV and film productions.
The Cotswolds is home to numerous celebrities seeking rural charm, including David & Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Jeremy Clarkson, Hugh Grant, Simon Cowell, and Alex James, while royals like King Charles III and Princess Anne have estates nearby, and recent reports suggest Beyoncé & Jay-Z are building there, making it a celebrity hotspot. Other stars spotted include Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Dornan, Damien Hirst, and J.K. Rowling, drawn by privacy, beauty, and proximity to London.
This is probably the most iconic village in the Cotswolds — the view from the bridge looking toward the old weavers' cottages is one you'll have seen all over Instagram, but it still feels magical in person. There isn't a long list of things to do here, and that's part of the charm.
In November 2024, Ellen and her wife – former Arrested Development star Portia de Rossi – swapped out the luxuries of LA life for the bucolic comforts of the Cotswolds.
He has since chosen to opt for a quieter life with a move to the British countryside, with a manor house close to Wadhurst in East Sussex. Many had wondered why Mr Depp had not chosen a property in the Cotswolds instead, due to its increasing celebrity nature in recent years.
And Ellen is just the latest American flocking to this stretch of the British countryside. She's joined by home owner in the area, Brad Pitt, while Tom Cruise and Ariana Grande have both spent time staying there. Oh, and then there's her new friend, Kate Moss, who has a home 30 minutes away in Little Faringdon.
The historic village of Lavenham, in Suffolk, was also used to create Godric's Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010). Lavenham Guildhall, a 16th-century, higgledy-piggledy timber-framed building, became Harry Potter's parents' derelict house on screen.
The Cotswolds are a popular filming location for many TV series, including historical dramas like Downton Abbey (using Bampton as Downton village) and Poldark (using Chavenage House), comedy mockumentaries like This Country, mystery shows such as Father Brown (filmed in Blockley), and fantasy/sci-fi productions, with locations like Puzzlewood appearing in shows like Merlin and Doctor Who. Other notable shows include The Diplomat, Sister Boniface Mysteries, and The Buccaneers.
One of the most enchanting Harry Potter filming locations is Lacock Village, a quaint and historic village nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. Lacock has been featured in several Harry Potter films, including "The Philosopher's Stone," "The Chamber of Secrets," and "The Half-Blood Prince."
Arlington Row on Awkward Hill is a nationally notable architectural conservation area depicted on the inside cover of all United Kingdom passports. It is a popular visitor attraction, reportedly one of the most photographed Cotswold scenes.
Where is the most photographed place in the Cotswolds?
Today, we spotlight what is arguably the most photographed location in this picturesque region: Arlington Row in Bibury. Known for its enchanting charm and historical significance, Arlington Row captivates visitors from around the world, making it a must-visit destination for photographers, tourists, and locals alike.
No, Taylor Swift does not own a permanent home in the Cotswolds, but she rented a luxurious £3.3 million cottage near Chipping Norton for her UK Eras tour dates in 2024, using it as a base to unwind, often with boyfriend Travis Kelce. She utilized the exclusive, celebrity-favored area for peaceful retreats, close to spots like Soho Farmhouse and the Beckhams' home.
Simon Cowell has given fans a glimpse inside his lavish Cotswolds mansion. The Britain's Got Talent judge, 66, his fiancée Lauren Silverman, 48, and their 11-year-old son Eric swapped London for an £8 million farmhouse in Oxfordshire in 2021.
The Cotswolds are a popular filming location for many TV series, including historical dramas like Downton Abbey (using Bampton as Downton village) and Poldark (using Chavenage House), comedy mockumentaries like This Country, mystery shows such as Father Brown (filmed in Blockley), and fantasy/sci-fi productions, with locations like Puzzlewood appearing in shows like Merlin and Doctor Who. Other notable shows include The Diplomat, Sister Boniface Mysteries, and The Buccaneers.
Where did they film Father Brown Gardeners of Eden?
In previous seasons, Blockley church doubled as Father Brown's church – St Mary's Catholic Church in Kembleford. Meanwhile, other Gloucestershire sites, like the villages of Upper Slaughter and Guiting Power were used for scenes, alongside Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe Railway Station.
Besides going on location, the series was also filmed in Bristol at The Bottle Yard Studios. The Podlark production built key interior sets, including Poldark's Cornish home and the Red Lion pub. They have created about eighteen sets across three studios by the end of the series.
