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Stars of the Silver Screen
Stars of the Silver Screen
They may not feature above the title, but many National Trust houses and gardens have 'starred' in the movies and on TV.
This is just a selection of our finest players. Visit them all to see where some of your favourites were made, and then try National Trust star-spotting next time you are at the cinema or in front of the box.
Basildon Park, Berkshire
Basildon Park, an 18th-century country house set in extensive parkland took a starring role in the 2005 production of 'Pride & Prejudice', as the location for Darcy and Elizabeth's first meeting at 'Netherfield'. The house is also the setting for the film's sumptuous ballroom scenes.
1. Grand 18th-century Palladian mansion
2. Fine collection of paintings, furniture and textiles
3. Saved from ruin and lovingly restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s
4. Glorious parkland overlooking the River Thames
5. Graham Sutherland studies for 'Christ in Glory' tapestry hanging in Coventry Cathedral
Image: © NTPL / Raymond Lea
View an aerial photo of Basildon Park
2. Fine collection of paintings, furniture and textiles
3. Saved from ruin and lovingly restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s
4. Glorious parkland overlooking the River Thames
5. Graham Sutherland studies for 'Christ in Glory' tapestry hanging in Coventry Cathedral
Image: © NTPL / Raymond Lea
View an aerial photo of Basildon Park
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire
Johnny Depp takes a bath in the Brewhouse in the 'The Libertine', a film about the 17th-century John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester. A whole street of the East End of London was also constructed here, complete with live pigs.
1. Shakespeare was rumoured to be caught poaching on the estate
2. 700 years of the Lucy family, with a uniquely extensive portrait collection
3. Colourful landscaped gardens by the River Avon
4. Great walking and picnic opportunities in the 'Capability' Brown deer park
5. Traditional family games, play area, maze and farm shop
Image: © NTPL / Matthew Antrobus
View an aerial photo of Charlecote Park
Image: © NTPL / Matthew Antrobus
View an aerial photo of Charlecote Park
Claydon House, Buckinghamshire
Filming includes the ballroom scene in the 1996 film of Jane Austen's 'Emma', starring Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Bad Pumpernickel Hotel in the 1998 BBC adaptation of 'Vanity Fair', starring Natasha Little and Nathaniel Parker, and a humorous party scene for 'Piccadilly Jim' in 2004, starring Sam Rockwell and Alison Janney. The film is a Julian Fellows adaptation of a PG Wodehouse story.
1. Georgian country house, decorated in fine Chinoise and rococo style
2. Intricate wood-carvings and a spectacular parquetry staircase
3. Lovely elevated setting in unspoilt countryside
4. Mementoes of Florence Nightingale who was once a regular visitor
5. Fascinating associations with the Civil War and the Crimean War
Image: © NTPL / Andrew Butler
View an aerial photo of Claydon House
2. Intricate wood-carvings and a spectacular parquetry staircase
3. Lovely elevated setting in unspoilt countryside
4. Mementoes of Florence Nightingale who was once a regular visitor
5. Fascinating associations with the Civil War and the Crimean War
Image: © NTPL / Andrew Butler
View an aerial photo of Claydon House
Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
This most glamorous and starry of houses has featured in many films and TV, including: 'Carrington' (1995) starring Emma Thompson, Jonathon Pryce, Rufus Sewell and Samuel West. 'Carry on Don't Lose Your Head' (1966), starring Sid James and the Carry On team. 'Chaplin' (1992) starring Robert Downey Junior. 'Thunderbirds' (2003), where the hotel was Lady Penelope's house and saw her pink car fly off the driveway. 'An Unsuitable Job for a Woman' (1997), a TV adaptation of the PD James novel starring Helen Baxendale and Annette Crosbie.
1. Listed landscaped park of Special Historic Interest
2. Stunning Italianate palace, (limited visitor opening)
3. Once home to American socialite millionaires, the 'fabulous Astors'
4. Charming grounds to explore, including a water garden and secret garden
5. National Collection of Catalpa (the Indian Bean Tree)
6. Elevated setting with fabulous views over the River Thames
Image: © NTPL / Hugh Palmer
View an aerial photo of Cliveden Park
2. Stunning Italianate palace, (limited visitor opening)
3. Once home to American socialite millionaires, the 'fabulous Astors'
4. Charming grounds to explore, including a water garden and secret garden
5. National Collection of Catalpa (the Indian Bean Tree)
6. Elevated setting with fabulous views over the River Thames
Image: © NTPL / Hugh Palmer
View an aerial photo of Cliveden Park
Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
Lacock's most famous role is as the Hogwarts School classrooms in 'Harry Potter, the Movie', but has also featured in: 'The Moonraker' (1958). A youthful George Baker starred in this costume drama, in his pre-Inspector Wexford days. 'The Grass is Greener' (1960), with Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons and Cary Grant.
'The Mayor or Casterbridge' (2000) with Liam Neeson.
1. Medieval cloistered abbey converted into a fine country house
2. Newly-restored botanic gardens
3. Fascinating museum dedicated to the 'Father of Modern Photography'
4. Uniquely preserved cobbled country village
Image: © NTPL / Andrew Butler
View an aerial photo of Lacock Abbey
2. Newly-restored botanic gardens
3. Fascinating museum dedicated to the 'Father of Modern Photography'
4. Uniquely preserved cobbled country village
Image: © NTPL / Andrew Butler
View an aerial photo of Lacock Abbey
Osterley Park, Middlesex
Osterley was in the 1997 film 'Mrs Brown', with Judi Dench and Bill Connolly. Also, perhaps uniquely, the house played another National Trust property, Blickling Hall, in an episode of the BBC's 'Still Alan Partridge'.
1. In the heart of West London
2. Tudor house transformed into an elegant neo-classical villa
3. Exceptionally fine Robert Adam architecture and interiors
4. 18th-century pleasure grounds, lakes and floral displays
5. Farm shop selling home-grown produce
6. Jersey Galleries exhibits work by local artists
2. Tudor house transformed into an elegant neo-classical villa
3. Exceptionally fine Robert Adam architecture and interiors
4. 18th-century pleasure grounds, lakes and floral displays
5. Farm shop selling home-grown produce
6. Jersey Galleries exhibits work by local artists
Image: © NTPL / Matthew Antrobus
View an aerial photo of Osterley Park
Montacute House, Somerset
Montacute played the part of Cleveland, home of the Palmer family, in the 1995 film adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. The house also appeared in the 2000 TV version of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' and it appears with Johnny Depp in the film 'The Libertine'.
1. Renaissance manor house filled with historic treasures
2. Fantastic exhibition of 17th-century textile samplers
3. Long Gallery boasts Elizabethan artwork from the National Portrait Gallery
4. Film location for 'Sense and Sensibility' (1995)
Image: © NTPL / Rupert Truman,
View an aerial photo of Montacute House
Image: © NTPL / Rupert Truman,
View an aerial photo of Montacute House
New discoveries for 2006
All your favourite National Trust places are back for 2006, along with some exciting new surprises. There's a heady mix of fresh discoveries to be made this year; perfect if you're planning a special day out. For more information on the above properties and more, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk...
Several National Trust properties are rumoured to be happy hunting grounds for an assortment of spooks. Here are a few stories behind some of them.
For more inspiration on days out, check out our gallery of stunning World Heritage sites in the UK.
