Where is The Crown filmed? Netflix drama's stunning UK filming locations revealed
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Netflix's popular royal drama The Crown has finally returned to our screens, as Claire Foy once again wows in her portrayal of the Queen alongside Matt Smith who plays Prince Philip.
And while there's plenty of drama and action to keep fans glued to the screens, it's not just the acting that's captured viewers' attention.
The series boasts some very beautiful backdrops from the opulent palace interiors, picturesque gardens and even glimpses of London's historical landmarks - and you can visit all of them.
In fact, The Crown isn't actually filmed in Buckingham Palace (the real Queen still resides there after all), but across a host of lavish manor houses and quintessentially British estates.
Whether you're after a staycation break or a day out, they're definitely worth adding to the bucket list.
We take a look at The Crown filming locations and how you can visit them...
1. Lancaster House
Although the majority of the series is set in Buckingham Palace, the cast and crew don't actually film at the Queen's iconic home.
Instead, they head further down London's Pall Mall to Lancaster House, which serves as a stand in; a fitting alternative thanks to its lavish interiors and grandiose state rooms.
The former home of nobility, nowadays the house is run by the The Foreign & Commonwealth Office who host events at the stylish venue.
Lancaster house isn't usually open to the public, but you can check it out during the annual ' Open House London ' event for free.
Where to stay: If you do want to catch a glimpse of Lancaster House, before heading to visit Buckingham Palace itself, then a hotel near Pall Mall would be ideal - check out these 6 budget-friendly options from Booking.com .
2. Ely Cathedral
(Image: iStockphoto)
While the Queen and Prince Philip tied the knot at Westminster Abbey, the crew weren't able to film inside the iconic church - so they recreated the wedding at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire instead.
It's no surprise that the cathedral caught the production team's eye. Built as an abbey church, the present building dates back to 1803 and boasts seriously spectacular architecture, not to mention the jaw-dropping interiors.
Adult tickets start from £8, while children under 16 go free.
Where to stay: TripAdvisor has searched out the 10 hotels closest to Ely Cathedral , but if you're after budget stays then Lastminute.com has a selection of hotels in Cambridge from £39 a night .
3. Eltham Palace
(Image: Universal Images Group Editorial)
Tucked away in South London, the stylish Eltham Palace boasts an Art Deco theme and was used for several scenes in Season 1, episode 8 of The Crown.
In fact, it provided the backdrop for travel-themed locations including Bermuda Government House, the HMSS Queen Mary, and the Queen's Quarters of the Royal Yacht.
Fans may also recognise the iconic Entrance Hall, where the Queen meets fashion designer Norman Hartnell in the series.
Adult tickets from £14.40, child tickets from £8.60 - you can see the full list of prices here . If you have an English Heritage membership , admission is free.
Where to stay: Premier Inn's London Eltham hotel has rooms starting from £35.50 a night, but you can also find a wealth of budget-friendly stays with Hotels.com on their Eltham page .
4. Greenwich Naval College
(Image: Axiom RM)
A World Heritage site in the heart of London's picturesque Greenwich district, the Old Royal Naval College sits riverside and served as the stand in for the Buckingham Palace courtyard.
In fact, a specially-built portico was attached to the building to add to its resemblance to the palace.
When it's not being used for filming, the college continues to draw in crowds of tourists looking to discover its beautiful features from the Painted Hall to the neo-classical Chapel.
A must if you're visiting Greenwich - it's just a short walk to the iconic Greenwich market too.
It's free to go an explore the college and its historic grounds (open daily), but some tours can incur an extra fee. Find out more on its website here .
Where to stay: Travelodge's London Greenwich hotel is about a five-minute walk to the centre where you'll find the Old Naval College. Meanwhile, you can also find ApartHotels and B&Bs on Trivago .
5. Waddesdon Manor
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
This striking Grade I Neo-Renaissance château sits in picturesque Buckinghamshire not only has a grandiose exterior, but has swanky interiors that have made it a firm favourite with filming crews for a host of shows including Downton Abbey and even Bargain Hunt.
Built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild as a weekend residence in the style of a French château for entertaining, today it hosts plenty of visitors looking to explore the breathtaking grounds and gardens.
Adult tickets from £10, child tickets from £5. Family tickets available from £25. Click here for more information .
Where to stay: Waddesdon Manor is close to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire - you can find some of the town's best hotels on TripAdvisor here , with prices starting from £49 a night.
6. Wilton House
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
This beautiful estate dates back to the 16th century, and is seeped in British history and culture - it's even been the home of the Earls of Pembroke for centuries.
Tucked away in the beautiful countryside in Wiltshire, Wilton House continues to be used for scenes set in Buckingham Palace, thanks to its opulent interiors and picture-perfect grounds.
Where to stay: Wilton House is a short distance from Salisbury, where you're more likely to find a wider range of hotels to suit any budget. Visit Wiltshire is a good source for finding the best of the area's luxury hotels, B&Bs and even a riverside hotel or two.
7. Woodchester Mansion
(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library)
Woodchester Mansion was turned into the grounds of Scottish school Gordonstoun for the scenes of Prince Charles' time at the school, reports Gloucester Live .
The 19th century house makes for an impressive location with its pristine grounds, not to mention the building itself towers over the landscape.
Where to stay: For those on a budget, Travelodge Stonehouse is fairly close to the impressive grounds.
8. Ardverikie Estate
This Scottish estate was used to represent the Queen's residence of Balmoral, thanks to its sweeping views of the countryside, not to mention features including the picturesque woodlands and meandering streams that can be spotted in the royal picnic scene with The Queen Mother.
Where to stay: There are self-catering cottages on the estate including the picturesque Gatelodge with its turrets and spiral staircase.