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The real-life locations used in the new series of The Crown
From stately homes to a Balearic villa, here's a look at the filming locations used in the latest Netflix series
The final series of The Crown has debuted on Netflix, following the Royal family into the late 1990s and beyond. Viewers will see Princess Diana’s courtship with Dodi Al-Fayed, her inevitable, tragic death, and William and Kate’s early relationship.
Reviews have not been particularly kind to the programme. This newspaper gave the series two stars, citing its “real contempt” for the family and lack of fun. While previous series have been met with praise for their sensitive depictions of wartime Britain, the sixth has been met with some cynicism. Regardless, many will be keen to see the depictions of our most modern royals – especially as the repercussions of its events continue to reverberate today.
One of the most captivating parts of The Crown has always been the locations. From gilded dining halls to vast country estates, the setting of the drama has commanded attention. These are the locations used in series six of The Crown – and how to visit them.
On screen: St George’s Chapel, Windsor
In reality: York Minster
St George’s Chapel has a storied history among the royals. It’s a place of worship, used by the family and the community. It’s also a place of burial, and one of remembrance – many royals have been interred here, including the late queen. But its replacement in The Crown is equally important in British history. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the Gothic cathedral is the resting place of Harold Godwinson, among earlier kings of Northumberland.
The church looms over the city of York – it is significantly more imposing than St George’s Chapel – with its impressive Gothic towers and mediaeval stained glass. There remains a royal connection, too, as last year a statue of the late Queen Elizabeth was unveiled in the west facade of the Minster.
How to visit: York Minster is open throughout the week for both visitors and worship. Adult tickets start at £16; children under 17 and residents of York are eligible for free entry. Find out more on the York Minster website.
On screen: Balmoral
In reality: Ardverikie House
Ardverikie House has been a stand-in for the Queen’s favourite residence, Balmoral, for numerous seasons of The Crown. The manor is still, however, best known as the fictional Glenbogle manor in Monarch of the Glen, and the brooding, lochside estate is now home to thousands of red deer.
Its small-screen ambitions aside, the grounds are open to the public via eight guesthouses. Among them is a turreted gatehouse, perhaps even more charming than the faux royal palace itself.
How to visit: Self-catering cottages sleep between two and 13 people, starting from £250 for a two-night stay. Find out more on the Ardverikie House website.
On screen: St Andrews University
In reality: St Andrews University
Royal Holloway University stands in for some university scenes in this final series of The Crown, but St Andrews is, mostly, filmed at St Andrews. Here, Kate studied art history while William graduated from a geography course. Away from the lecture halls, the student-filled town is a wonderful place to visit (as is the windswept coastline).
Visitors should visit the university campus and the golf courses, but should also stroll around the rest of the town: its high street, dotted with independent shops and cafes, is a vibrant place to spend the afternoon. Prince William was apparently very fond of Forgan’s, a contemporary restaurant with a modern Scottish twist.
How to visit: A self-guided walking tour of University sites is available on the St Andrews website. Discover the best places to stay in the town using our hotel guide.
On screen: Various, including Villa Windsor
In reality: West Wycombe Park
The Georgian Villa Windsor, in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, was occupied by Charles de Gaulle after the Second World War. In the context of The Crown, however, that isn’t what concerns us. Of more interest is its occupation by the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, and its subsequent leasing to Mohamed Al-Fayed. It was visited by Dodi Al-Fayed and Diana on the day of their deaths in 1997.
The Crown’s showrunners did not head to France to film this scene. Instead, they filmed this and various other interior shots at West Wycombe Park, an elegant National Trust property in Buckinghamshire. An Italianate country home, the landscaped park looks out over a historic village and hillside.
How to visit: West Wycombe Park is open from April to October, with tickets starting at £11. The village and hillside are open to the public all year round, without a fee. Find out more on the West Wycombe Park website.
On screen: Windsor Castle Royal Lodge
In reality: Basildon Park
The 30-room Royal Lodge is located about three miles south of Windsor Castle. It was the Queen Mother’s residence from 1952 until her death in 2002, and has more recently been occupied by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
In The Crown, its stand in is the 18th-century Basildon Park in Berkshire. The National Trust property was restored by the Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s; it’s now decorated with Old Masters and traditional furnishings. Its historic parkland is ideal for a crisp, winter stroll.
How to visit: The House, grounds, shop and tearoom are open most days from 10am until 4pm. Access to the whole property costs £16.50 per adult. Find out more on the Basildon Park website.
On screen: Various, including a jewellers
In reality: The Royal Exchange, London
The Royal Exchange in London is used for various glamorous locations in the sixth series, including as hotel corridors and a jewellery shop. It’s no surprise: The Royal Exchange was built in 1566 as the first purpose-built centre for trading stocks. It was decimated by fires in both the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, was damaged by bombing in the Second World War, and returned to its trading floor origins in the 1980s.
Now, the building is home to various luxury shops and restaurants, making it an ideal place to pick up Christmas presents (and stop for a cocktail afterwards).
How to visit: The Royal Exchange is situated next to Bank Underground station. Retailers have varying opening hours; check the website for more details.
On screen: Ritz Hotel, Paris
In reality: Phoenix Arts Club
The Ritz Hotel in Paris was, of course, a crucial part of Diana’s final hours. Owned by Mohammed Al-Fayed, it’s where the Princess and Dodi ate prior to the fatal paparazzi chase. The Crown chose not to film the scenes in the Hotel itself, instead using the legendary Phoenix Arts Club in London as its duplicate.
The late-night cabaret theatre lurks below the Charing Cross Road, and while it is nominally a private members club, visitors can buy tickets to variety shows for as little as £15. The old-school bar, full of heavy wooden furniture and decorated with the posters from previous shows, feels like a relic from a bygone age.
How to visit: The bar is open to members and those with tickets for the cinema or theatre. Find out more on the Phoenix Arts Club website.
On screen: Castel del Ste Therese, St Tropez (Al Fayed’s Villa)
In reality: Villa Castillo de Mallorca
While many scenes for this series of The Crown were filmed in the UK, some were captured overseas. Among them are the shots of the Al-Fayed villa in St Tropez, where Diana and Dodi first met (and where they sought respite before their fateful decision to head to Paris). The property was put up for sale in 2015 with an asking price of £70 million.
The Crown showrunners used another private property, the Villa Castillo in Mallorca, as its surrogate. Diana visited this villa too, and while it is available for rental, its weekly rates (starting at £31,000) might put the casual holidaymaker off a booking.
How to visit: Malllorca is home to many luxurious villas. If you fancy a more glamorous getaway, operators such as AMA Selections and Abercrombie and Kent can provide options.