Pride and Prejudice film and TV locations

Arguably author Jane Austen’s most famous book, Pride and Prejudice is still held in popular regard by literature, film and TV fans across the world. With over 20 million copies sold, it is one of the most popular novels in English literature.

Whilst Jane Austen was born and lived predominantly in Hampshire, her associations with the Peak District are largely written about when it comes to this particular novel.

Pride and Prejudice has never been out of print since the first locally produced editions in 1813, and it has been adapted into a handful of very successful TV and film versions. Thanks to the book’s evergreen popularity, there are several landmarks in the Peak District that have become pilgrimages and places of interest to fans of the adaptations. Inspiration for Pride and Prejudice is said to have come to Jane Austen during a trip to the area and, according to literary scholars, the novel was partially composed in Bakewell at the Rutland Arms whilst holidaying in the area.

Perhaps the best-loved adaptation of the novel was the 1990s BBC television series starring Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle and Alison Steadman. A total of 24 locations were used for the show but only a handful are in the Peak District itself. Colin Firth’s film career went stratospheric following his participation in the series which probably had a lot to do with how handsome he looked in a tail coat and top hat! Joe Wright’s 2005 film adaptation starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland also made use of some Peak District locales, so we are going to share some of them with you now…

But where was Pride and Prejudice filmed? Here are some Peak District locations that are linked to Pride and Prejudice.

Lyme Park

Adaptation: BBC drama (1995)

Remember the scene when Mr Darcy (Colin Firth) jumps into a lake following an energetic horse ride back home from the south? He dives in headfirst for a refreshing dip, and walks back out looking all wet and handsome - a scene which set Colin Firth's career on fire! The lake is situated at Lyme Park, a National Trust property, although quick dips are not recommended; it is not the lake directly in front of the house, but a deeper one further away. You can find both lakes with a wander around the grounds.   

Lyme Park House

Adaptation: BBC drama (1995)

This magnificent house was used as the architectural face of Pemberley, the fictional family home of Mark Darcy himself. There are many shots with the house in them, including the scene where Elizabeth Bennet takes her aunt and uncle for a look around the grounds (before she bumps into the post-swim, sodden Mr Darcy) This glorious house is surrounded by well-kept gardens, moorland and a deer park, and it’s no wonder it suited the likes of fictional Pemberley.

Information on Lyme Park House

• Address: Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
• 1400-acre estate offering fantastic walks and stunning views
• There is a rose garden, ravine garden and herbaceous borders to enjoy
• Children can enjoy the Crow Wood Playscape, badger den and rope walks
• Enjoy hot and cold refreshments, snacks and light lunches in the Timberyard Café.
• Opening times vary but can be found on the website 
• Prices: Adult (£10.50) Child (£5.25) Family (£26)
• Stay close by: Trinity Mews, sleeps 5

Sudbury Hall

Adaptation: BBC drama (1995)

Whist the exteriors of Pemberley were proudly shot at Lyme Park House, the BBC producers felt that the interiors of Sudbury Hall better suited the Darcy family. Open to the public, you are able to go and walk in the same rooms Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) did when she and her relatives were invited in by Mr Darcy himself; the long gallery will take you right back to the screen production, but we are sad to say that the large portrait of Colin Firth won’t be hanging up! The National Trust has produced a pamphlet which outlines all the locations used within the house during filming which is a fun thing to do of an afternoon if you are an adorer of the novel.

Keen an eye out for:

1. The Music Room – The housekeeper first leads them here when they get a tour of the home.
2. The Long Gallery – This is a long room displaying family portraits and people of importance. Mr Darcy's portrait hung at the end. This is where Lizzie gazes at him and re-evaluates her feelings for the mysterious man.
3. Double bedroom – There is a mantlepiece in one of the double bedrooms which is where Darcy writes a letter to Elizabeth Bennet.

Information on Sudbury Hall

• Address: Main Road, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 5HT
• Explore the glorious 17^th-century house
• Enjoy eight galleries of the Museum of Childhood and gift shop
• Coach House Restaurant offers hot and cold refreshments, meals and snacks
• Dogs welcome in the grounds and gardens (keep on a lead)
• Opening times vary but can be found on the website 
• Prices: Adult (£20.30) Child (£10.15) Family (£50.60)
• Stay close by: Forget Me Not Cottage, sleeps 5

Chatsworth House

Adaptation: Film production (2005)

Chatsworth House was chosen to be the fictional Pemberley in the 2005 production of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley. Exteriors and interiors of the house were used for sets and today you can visit the stately house and enjoy all it has to offer. You can find out about the history of the house with an introductory talk, or take the multimedia guide, or if you want something more personal you can book a tour with an expert guide who will tell you all about it.

Keep an eye out for:

1. The grand staircase and ceiling of the Painted Hall where Lizzie and her aunt and uncle start their tour of Pemberley.
2. The Sculpture Gallery was used in the scene where Lizzie Bennet sees the bust of Mr Darcy (the bust is still in Chatsworth as a souvenir from the filming and can be seen in the Orangery shop, through the gallery)
3. The veiled Vestal Virgin sculpture can be seen in the sculpture gallery and this is featured in a scene with Elizabeth Bennet.

Information on Chatsworth House

• Address: Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
• Victorian Rock Garden and Maze
• Farmyard and playground for the kids
• Calendar of events throughout the year 
• Opening times vary and can be found on the website 
• Discover our Bakewell holiday cottages 

Haddon Hall

Adaptation: Film production (2005)

Haddon's Banqueting Hall was dressed with curtains and transformed into the inn at Lambton during the 2005 film production. Haddon Hall is now the family home of Lord Edward Manners, who continues to restore the building. Much time and effort has been put into renovating the stained-glass windows in the 15^th-century chapel, used in the film, and re-pointing the walls. The house and grounds are open to the public, so go a see it for yourself!

Information on Haddon Hall

• Address: Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1LA
• Restaurant open to ticket holders and members of the general public
• Open daily: 10.30am – 5pm, all holiday time listed on the website
• Prices: Adult (£18.50) Child aged 0-15 (FREE)
• Discover our Bakewell holiday cottages 

Stanage Edge, Derbyshire

Adaptation: Film production (2005) and BBC version (1995)

The large gritstone edges that overlook Hathersage found fame on the big screen as the scenic spot where a windswept Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) dreamed of Mr Darcy in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice. People come from far and wide to experience this setting for themselves after seeing it on screen and, being part of a walking route, it is fairly easy to get to.

If you get to the small town of Hathersage you can find a footpath that takes you to Stanage Edge, it’s a three-mile uphill climb which should be done with a map and compass to keep you right. It boasts wonderful views and incredible sunsets - but like anywhere in Britain, prepare for the weather…

Location: 53.3473N, 1.6333W

Stay close by: Glen House, sleeps 6

Longnor

Adaptation: BBC drama (1995)

Longnor was used to visualise the fictional village of Lambton in which Elizabeth Bennet stayed with her aunt and uncle, although it is said that it was heavily inspired by Bakewell. You can visit the village yourself and walk down Chapel Street which you are bound to recognise from the series. It is a bustling village with a square and quaint streets of stone houses.

Longnor nestles just below the top of a ridge between the Dove and Manifold valleys and provides an excellent starting point for many walks, ranging from short ambles by the river to serious upland treks. It would make for a lovely day out. For more on the idyllic village that inspired Jane Austen, check out our Guide to Bakewell.

Location: SK17 0NS

Stay in Longnor: Horseshoe Inn, sleeps 12

The Peak District National Park was used in scenes throughout both of these main productions and spending time here - whether driving, walking or touring by bike - will help you to feel immersed in Jane Austen’s world. The Peak District had a heavy influence on the enduring novel, and it is no surprise why with the charming English landscape and traditional stone villages.

There have been other adaptations of Pride and Prejudice which you might not have heard of…

1940: An earlier film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Sir Laurence Olivier as Mr Darcy, was filmed entirely at MGM studios in Los Angeles. The outbreak of the Second World War prevented location work in England from being included.

2004: Another tribute was the Asian musical remix Bride and Prejudice from 2004, so if you fancy a Bollywood-style version, now you know where to look.

2016: Further off the mainstream is the not-so-great horror genre-mashup, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which was shot in Hampshire. The plot is largely intact with the same characters having to juggle their pent-up feelings with the outbreak of a zombie apocalypse.

Fun fact: The storyline for Pride and Prejudice inspired the first book and film in the Bridget Jones’ Diary series, and again the films starred Colin Firth as Darcy - this time as Mark Darcy.

Dust off your copy of Pride and Prejudice and stream your favourite TV/film adaptation in preparation for a great trip down memory lane, revisiting one of the best-loved British novels of all time - then book a holiday to complete the experience. We hope you enjoyed discovering these Pride and Prejudice movie locations. 

If you liked this blog and also love movies, read our guide about Peak District film locations.

We have some lovely holiday cottages throughout the Peak District; why not take a look at our collection to feel inspired?