👑 The Crown filming locations in Britain: 7 spots on the map

"The Crown" drew millions of viewers and turned British estates into a tourist route. The palace halls in the series were filmed far from only in palaces.

We've put together seven locations worth seeing with your own eyes: from the estate where Elizabeth I grew up to castle ruins on the Scottish coast. Hatfield House is about 30 km from London (as the map shows), and Ely Cathedral welcomes visitors until 4:30 pm (as of 09/2026, cathedral website). For each spot you'll find its role in the series, opening hours, and admission cost.

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How the "Crown" locations route works

💡 In short:

The locations are spread across England and Scotland: closest to London are Hatfield House, Old Royal Naval College, and Audley End House.
Admission to the estates is almost always paid, and hours and seasons change. Check them before your trip.
In late fall and winter the houses are closed, and the parks run on reduced hours.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official websites of the sites.

Below are seven spots in England and Scotland. The order in the list doesn't match a driving route, so build your own using the map. Distances are shown as the map shows, and we checked prices and schedules on the estates' and museums' own websites.

1. Hatfield House in Hertfordshire

Hatfield House is where Elizabeth I spent her childhood, and it's also where she learned she would take the throne. In the series the estate played Marlborough House, the London residence of Queen Mary, grandmother of Elizabeth II. Besides "The Crown," "The King's Speech" and "Sleepy Hollow" were filmed here.

Panorama of London with Big Ben and the Ferris wheel

Getting there: the estate is about 30 km north of London (as the map shows), nearest town Hatfield.
Admission and hours: in 2026 the interiors are open only with a £10 supplement on top of the ticket to the park (as of 09/2026, official website). The gardens welcome visitors Wednesday through Sunday.
The catch: outside the season you'll only see the park. The house itself is closed.

2. Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire

The wedding of young Elizabeth and Prince Philip was filmed right here. Westminster Abbey wasn't opened for filming, and Ely Cathedral resembles it in layout. The set designers recreated the 1947 decor almost down to the details. Before "The Crown," the cathedral appeared in the drama "The King's Speech."

Ely Cathedral among trees from the water

Admission and hours: the cathedral is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm (as of 09/2026, official website). Tickets are recommended to be booked in advance.
The catch: it's an active place of worship. During services, tourist access is restricted.

3. Old royal naval college in Greenwich

The college courtyards portrayed the inner courtyard of Buckingham Palace: arrivals of important figures and part of the ceremonies are shown here. The complex stands on the south bank of the Thames in Greenwich and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Domes and colonnades of the college in Greenwich

Admission and hours: the grounds and chapel are free, and an adult ticket to the Painted Hall costs about £19 (as of 09/2026, official website).
The catch: the painted hall is sometimes closed for weddings, private events, and filming.

4. Woodchester Mansion in Gloucestershire

Woodchester Mansion has long served as a filming location. Downton Abbey and The Famous Five were shot here. The Gothic mansion stands in a wooded valley far from towns, and its empty halls easily turn into interiors from another era.

Stone gargoyle in the shape of a bird on a facade

Getting there: the house stands in a valley among woodland in Gloucestershire, reached by walking paths (use a map).
Tip: opening days change, so check the schedule on the estate's website before you go.

5. Audley End House in Essex

The great hall and library at Audley End stood in for Eton College, Windsor Castle, and Balmoral in flashbacks featuring the young Elizabeth and Margaret. The estate belongs to English Heritage, so there is a museum, a park, and a Victorian kitchen garden here.

Audley End House against a lawn and rainbow

© The original uploader was Paul W Wells at English Wikipedia . · CC BY-SAPhoto: The original uploader was Paul W Wells at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

Admission and hours: an adult ticket costs about £20, a child ticket about £12.50 (as of 09/2026, English Heritage).
Who it's for: if you're traveling with children, stop by the 1830s nursery. Visitors are allowed to try on costumes and play with replica toys (according to English Heritage).
The catch: last entry to the house closes 1.5 hours before the end of the day. Plan your arrival in advance.

6. Slains Castle on the coast of Scotland

In the series, the ruins of Slains Castle played the Castle of Mey, which the Queen Mother later buys. The ruins stand above Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire. Only the exterior was used for filming: inside there have long been no walls or roof.

Ruins of Slains Castle on cliffs, aerial view

Getting there: the ruins stand directly above Cruden Bay, reached on foot from the village (use a map).
Tip: no tickets or ticket office needed here. Bring a jacket: the site is exposed to all winds.

7. Wilton House near Salisbury

Wilton House also served as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace, and its rooms are recognizable from Pride and Prejudice and Outlander. The house belongs to the Pembroke family and is known for its painting collection. In 2026 you cannot go inside.

Wilton House: stone manor house with a lawn

Admission and hours: in 2026 the house itself is closed for heating system renovation, with only the park and gardens open (as of 09/2026, official website).
The catch: the park season is short: from April 12 to September 10, last entry at 4:30 pm (as of 09/2026, Historic Houses).

If you want to see several locations in one day, take a guided tour: the guide will show you the palaces and tell you which scenes were filmed here.

Tours and tickets in London

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside all seven locations?

No. Hatfield House and Wilton House open their interiors only during the season, and Wilton House is closed for renovation in 2026. You can go inside Ely Cathedral, Audley End House, and the Painted Hall almost every day. Woodchester Mansion welcomes visitors on a special schedule. The ruins of Slains Castle are always open.

Where was Elizabeth and Philip's wedding filmed?

The wedding scene was filmed at Ely Cathedral: Westminster Abbey was not opened for filming. The crew checked every detail against archival footage.

How much does it cost to enter the estates?

Prices vary. A ticket to Audley End House costs about £20 for an adult, the Painted Hall about £19, and Hatfield House requires a £10 supplement on top of the park ticket (as of 09/2026, Audley End page). Check the exact price on the estate's website before your trip.

When is the best time to visit The Crown locations?

The best time is from May to September: during this period the parks are open, and some estates keep full hours. In fall and winter the houses close, leaving walks along the avenues. Check the calendar on the site's website before you go.

What should you see if you only have one day?

In one day you can realistically cover Hatfield House and the Old Royal Naval College: both are close to London. Start with Hatfield House in the morning, and head to the Painted Hall after lunch, when the tour groups thin out.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're based in London, go for Hatfield House and the Old Royal Naval College: they're easy to combine into one route. For halls and paintings, save Ely Cathedral and Audley End House. For a sea view, set your course for Slains Castle.

For more ideas on screen adaptations, check out our articles: a guide to TV series filming locations and a Harry Potter route.

If you want to see several locations with a guide, take a look at The Crown tours on GetYourGuide.

7 Locations of The Crown in Britain: where to go and what to see