Where was The Crown filmed? Discover the most stunning palaces, castles, and global locations of The Crown filming locations.
From the glittering corridors of Elizabeth’s childhood palaces to sun-drenched retreats across the globe, The Crown filming locations whisk viewers into a world where tiaras feel weighty, whispers carry intrigue, and even corgis seem to have a flair for drama.
Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton, who play Queen Elizabeth II, wear the crown with poise, patience, and the occasional barely-contained eye-roll.
Philip (Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies), Charles (Josh O’Connor, Jonathan Pryce), and Diana (Emma Corrin, Elizabeth Debicki) add charm, romance, and side-eyes so sharp they could pierce palace windows.
Step into a world of crowns, corgis, and palace whispers, from Buckingham Palace’s ballrooms to Balmoral’s misty Highlands, where duty meets intrigue – and the occasional eyebrow raise.
History, humor, and heartbreak intertwine, making every scene a masterclass in royal spectacle – elegance tempered with humanity, and a touch of cheeky British charm.
Table of Contents
👑 Explore The Crown Filming Locations
Where was the Crown filmed? The Netflix series spans the UK, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and more, offering a truly global canvas.
With sets so sumptuous you might curtsy out of habit, a cast that carries history on their shoulders, and drama as sharp as a crown jewel, these filming locations transform monarchy into a living, breathing spectacle – equal parts elegance, charm, and scandal.
🏰 Wilton House – Buckingham Palace Interiors
Location: Wilton House, Wiltshire, England
The Crown Cast: Claire Foy (young Elizabeth), Matt Smith (young Philip)
Where was The Crown filmed at Buckingham Palace in Season 1? Wilton House was one of the grand estates that doubled as Buckingham Palace, where young Elizabeth practiced curtsying, endured sibling rivalries, and perfected the discreet royal eye-roll.
With gilded rooms and perfectly staged pomp, the setting captured the weight of a crown-in-waiting – long before it ever graced her head. Every polished corridor and echoing chamber reflected the quiet transformation of a princess learning the choreography of power.
Historical facts:
- Wilton House’s 17th-century interiors mirror those of Buckingham Palace.
- Royals historically practiced etiquette and hosted private audiences in similar halls.
🌳 Burghley House – Windsor Castle Gardens
Location: Burghley House, Lincolnshire, England
The Crown Cast: Claire Foy (Elizabeth), Matt Smith (Philip)
Where was The Crown filmed at Windsor Castle? Burghley House was one of the key estates that stood in for Windsor Castle’s grand exteriors and sweeping gardens.
Here, young Elizabeth wandered through manicured lawns, traded secrets with Margaret, and perfected her polite escape from royal supervision – while corgis launched unsanctioned sprints across the grounds.
Between rose-lined paths and stately fountains, she balanced royal decorum with childhood mischief, proving that even a future queen wasn’t immune to a bit of muddy chaos.
Historical facts:
- Burghley House’s gardens were used to emulate Windsor Castle.
- Royals historically enjoyed games and lessons in discretion here.
🏞 Ardverikie Estate – Balmoral Castle
Location: Ardverikie Estate, Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The Crown Cast: Olivia Colman (Elizabeth), Tobias Menzies (Philip)
Where was The Crown filmed in Scotland? Ardverikie Estate stood in for Balmoral, the Queen’s misty Highland retreat, where Elizabeth and Philip rode through heather-lined trails, wandered beside shimmering lochs, and endured the occasional soggy hunting expedition.
Fog-draped hills and sweeping vistas set the stage for reflective walks and quiet moments of royal candor. This Crown filming location perfectly captures Balmoral’s blend of grandeur, wilderness, and the charming unpredictability of life beyond palace walls.
Historical facts:
- Balmoral has been a royal residence since Queen Victoria purchased it in 1852.
- Royals historically used it for leisure, hunting, and family bonding.
🏛 Lancaster House – Buckingham Palace Interiors
Location: Lancaster House, London, England
The Crown Cast: Claire Foy (Elizabeth), Matt Smith (Philip)
Where was The Crown filmed at Buckingham Palace in Season 2? Lancaster House in London stood in for the palace’s lavish interiors, perfectly capturing the grandeur of royal life without ever needing a security clearance.
Many of the series’s most iconic moments – including Elizabeth’s early state meetings, diplomatic receptions, and official portraits – were filmed here.
Its real-life neoclassical architecture and gilded ballrooms mirror the scale and splendor of the real Buckingham Palace, giving every scene that unmistakable royal polish (and just enough echo to remind you it’s very much not a normal house).
Historical facts:
- Lancaster House historically hosted foreign diplomats and state dinners.
- Its architecture perfectly mirrors royal interiors from Elizabeth’s era.
🏰 Belvoir Castle – Windsor Castle Exteriors
Location: Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, England
The Crown Cast: Olivia Colman (Elizabeth), Tobias Menzies (Philip)
Where was The Crown filmed at Windsor Castle in Season 2? Belvoir Castle doubled as the castle’s grand exteriors, where Elizabeth strode through courtyards, attended formal processions, and carried herself with poised composure.
The estate’s sweeping façades and manicured grounds captured Windsor Castle’s scale and ceremony, providing the perfect backdrop for royal duties, quiet reflections, and the occasional private moment that revealed the humanity behind the crown.
Historical facts:
- Belvoir Castle’s architecture echoes Windsor Castle’s iconic look.
- Historically, royals conducted ceremonial walks and public appearances here.
🏰 Hatfield House – Royal Lessons & Court Intrigue
Location: Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, England
The Crown Cast: Claire Foy (Elizabeth), Matt Smith (Philip)
Where was The Crown filmed at the royal courts? Hatfield House transformed into the regal interiors where Elizabeth learned duty, discretion, and the intricacies of family drama.
The house’s Tudor-era charm and meticulously recreated period décor hosted lessons in protocol, whispered family secrets, and corridors thick with tension.
Hatfield House provided a Crown filming location that blended elegance, drama, and subtle humor, letting viewers witness Elizabeth’s formative years with all the proper pomp – and just a hint of palace mischief.
Historical facts:
- Hatfield House was the childhood home of Elizabeth I and retains Tudor architecture.
- Its interiors historically hosted royal ceremonies and education.
🤴🏻 Prince Philip’s Youth – Formative Years & Adventures
The Crown Cast: Max Irons (young Prince Philip)
In The Crown Season 1, Prince Philip’s early years were portrayed with historical accuracy and cinematic flair. Max Irons played the young Philip, capturing both his aristocratic upbringing and the experiences that shaped his character.
Filming locations:
- Corfu, Greece (recreated in the UK): Showcased the grandeur of Philip’s family heritage, palaces, gardens, and early lessons in duty and pride.
- Gordonstoun School, Scotland: Depicted his boarding school challenges, sporting drills, and discipline that forged resilience.
- UK estates: Family gatherings, formal portraits, and private reflection moments highlighted preparation for his future royal role.
Historical context:
- These locations emphasize Philip’s complex upbringing, from Greek exile to British aristocracy, foreshadowing his eventual role as consort to Elizabeth II.
🐘 South Africa – Elizabeth & Philip’s Romantic Trip
Location: Drakensberg Mountains & surrounding regions, South Africa
The Crown Cast: Claire Foy (Elizabeth), Matt Smith (Philip)
Where were The Crown filming locations in Africa? In The Crown Season 1, South Africa served as the exotic backdrop for the Commonwealth Tour of young Elizabeth and Philip, filmed at the picturesque Lord Carnarvon House and its surrounding estates.
The Drakensberg Mountains provided sweeping vistas, while riverside lodges offered privacy for stolen moments of romance. The series shows her receiving the fateful news of her father’s passing amid this stunning setting, immediately ascending to the throne.
Historical facts:
- The real Princess Elizabeth toured South Africa shortly after her 1947 wedding, accompanying her parents before her 1952 ascension to the throne.
🌞 Mallorca – Princess Margaret’s Caribbean Villa
The Crown Cast: Helena Bonham Carter (Princess Margaret)
Where was The Crown filmed in Season 3? In The Crown Season 3, Mallorca, Spain, was the filming location for Princess Margaret’s villa, Les Jolies Eaux on Mustique.
It was filmed at the luxurious Villa Sol De Mallorca, with sunlit terraces, lush gardens, and elegant interiors, showing Margaret’s private retreats, social gatherings, and the personal scandals that were impossible to ignore.
Scenes highlighted her romantic affairs and the tensions that these caused within the royal family, offering a candid glimpse behind palace walls. Filming in Spain allowed the series to capture the tropical luxury and isolation of the villa while maintaining logistical ease.
Historical facts:
- Les Jolies Eaux was Princess Margaret’s private retreat on the Caribbean island of Mustique, purchased in 1959.
- The villa became infamous for hosting glamorous parties and high-profile romantic liaisons, sparking public and royal scrutiny.
- Margaret’s behavior at Les Jolies Eaux contributed to several scandals, including rumors of affairs and conflicts with palace protocol, making it a pivotal setting for The Crown’s drama.
🏛️ Cromwell House – Churchill’s London Residence
The Crown Cast: Winston Churchill played by John Lithgow (Season 1–2) and Jonathan Pryce (Season 3–4)
Where was The Crown filmed in Season 4? In The Crown, Winston Churchill’s London residence was primarily recreated at Cromwell House in London. The stately interiors and period-accurate décor provided the perfect backdrop for Churchill’s study, drawing rooms, and private chambers.
From Churchill’s cigar-filled study to the grand drawing rooms, every detail reflected the gravity, wit, and occasional stubbornness of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. The set accurately reflected 1940s–1950s London interiors, down to furniture, lamps, and period-appropriate wallpaper.
Historical facts:
- Cromwell House was chosen for its architectural similarity to Churchill’s actual London home and its cinematic flexibility.
🎓 Gordonstoun School – Young Charles’ Formative Years
The Crown Cast: Josh O’Connor (older Charles), Billy Jenkins (young Charles)
Where was The Crown filmed in Season 5? In The Crown Season 5, young Prince Charles’ boarding school experiences were filmed at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, the real-life institution he attended.
The series captured dormitory life, early morning drills, and rugged outdoor activities that shaped his character and resilience. The young prince navigated the school’s austere corridors, sprawling grounds, and training fields, portraying both the discipline and occasional rebelliousness inherent to a royal boarding education.
Historical facts:
- Gordonstoun was chosen by Prince Philip for its rigorous curriculum, outdoor education, and character-building ethos.
- The Crown faithfully recreated its harsh routines and social hierarchies, highlighting the formative influence of boarding school life on Charles’ later public persona.
🎖️ Caernarfon Castle – Prince Charles’ Investiture
The Crown Cast: Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles), Olivia Colman (Queen Elizabeth II), Tobias Menzies (Prince Philip), Marion Bailey (Queen Mother)
In The Crown Season 5, Prince Charles’ iconic investiture as Prince of Wales was filmed at Caernarfon Castle in Wales, faithfully recreating the grandeur and historic significance of the 1969 ceremony.
The scenes capture the tension, pride, and subtle undercurrents of expectation surrounding the young prince, from donning ceremonial robes to the precise bowing and oath-taking, while dignitaries and Welsh representatives watch with solemnity.
Historical facts:
- The investiture was a meticulously choreographed event designed to reinforce Charles’s role as heir apparent.
- The Crown emphasizes the spectacle, pageantry, and national attention, highlighting how public duty began shaping his persona from an early age.
🏛️ Halton House – The Exterior of Villa Windsor
The Crown Cast: Elizabeth Debicki (Princess Diana), Salim Daw (Dodi Fayed)
In The Crown Season 5, Halton House in Buckinghamshire masqueraded as Villa Windsor, the chic Parisian pad of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
The scenes show Mohamed Al-Fayed purchasing and restoring the villa, a dramatic gesture to the British royal family that unfolds with all the elegance – and occasional eyebrow-raising tension – fans expect.
With its stately façade and neoclassical flair, Halton House convincingly stood in for the real villa tucked in the Bois de Boulogne, giving viewers the impression of Parisian sophistication without crossing the Channel.
The production cleverly paired Halton House’s exterior with interiors filmed at West Wycombe Park, also in Buckinghamshire, creating the illusion of a fully authentic French residence.
Historical Facts:
- Halton House is located near RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire.
- Villa Windsor was originally built in 1929 and became the Windsor residence from 1953 until the Duke died in 1972.
- Mohamed Al-Fayed’s purchase and restoration of the villa is faithfully dramatized in the series.
🚢 Diana & Dodi – Coastal Walks of Romance
The Crown Cast: Elizabeth Debicki (Diana) and Salim Daw (Dodi Fayed)
In The Crown Season 6, multiple locations in Barcelona and Mallorca, Spain, doubled for the sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline of Saint-Tropez, where Diana and Dodi Fayed took their famous ocean strolls.
The production captured sweeping cliffs, sandy beaches, and sparkling waters, turning every step into a moment of cinematic intimacy. The actors brought the scenes to life, walking hand-in-hand along the shoreline, sharing quiet conversation, and subtly hinting at the tension beneath their high-profile romance.
Historical facts:
- These sequences portray Diana and Dodi enjoying personal escapes along the French Riviera, capturing both the glamour of royal life abroad and the mounting pressures that would tragically unfold.
- Filming in southern France allowed for authentic Mediterranean vistas while maintaining production control, blending historical accuracy with cinematic elegance.
🏛️ Dartmouth House – Recreating the Ritz in Paris
During the filming of The Crown Season 6, the actual Ritz Paris was unavailable for filming due to privacy and security concerns.
Multiple sets were built and locations used – including Dartmouth House, and the RAF Halton Officers’ Mess in Aylesbury – standing in for the fateful night of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed’s final evening.
The production meticulously recreated the Ritz’s grandeur, from gleaming chandeliers to polished wood floors, capturing the opulent dining rooms where romance, tension, and tragedy unfolded.
These Crown filming locations allowed viewers to witness the drama of that historic night while maintaining the elegance, decorum, and cinematic authenticity the series is known for.
Historical facts:
- Dartmouth House was chosen for its stately interiors, period-accurate décor, and cinematic adaptability.
- The set faithfully reproduced the luxurious atmosphere of the Ritz, preserving historical accuracy and visual drama.
Although this is by no means a comprehensive list of The Crown filming locations, it does include some of the most stunning and memorable ones. From Wilton House’s glittering halls to Ardverikie House’s Highland mists, The Crown transports viewers into a world of drama, humor, and regal spectacle.
With impeccable acting and historically accurate sets, fans experience monarchy as it’s never been quite like this. So don your imaginary tiara, practice a curtsy, and revel in the drama, charm, and occasional chaos of these royally captivating locations.
Disclaimer: ‘The Crown’ and all related images, clips, and content are the property of Netflix and Left Bank Pictures. This fan-created article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the show’s creators.
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