More than three decades after Colin Firth’s iconic swim in the BBC adaptation of *Pride and Prejudice*, Lyme Park in Cheshire continues to benefit financially from its role as the filming location for the scene. The National Trust property has seen an estimated £900,000 annual increase in visitor revenue linked to the show’s enduring popularity.

As the largest conservation charity in Europe, the National Trust oversees over 500 historic and natural sites across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Many of these locations have become popular filming sites, generating significant economic and conservation benefits. According to Harvey Edgington, the Trust’s senior film and location manager, the income generated from filming fees is reinvested directly into the maintenance and preservation of the properties involved. He highlighted the example of Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland, which served as Winterfell in the first two seasons of *Game of Thrones*, attracting up to 2,000 additional weekly visitors at the peak of the show’s popularity. This phenomenon of visiting filming locations, often called “set-jetting,” often brings international tourists and supports local economies.

Several recent film and television productions have featured National Trust sites. The Grade II-listed Cwmmau Farmhouse in Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire, showcased in *Hamnet* as Hewlands—the imagined childhood home of Agnes Hathaway—offered an authentic Tudor setting with minimal modifications. Nearby Weobley doubled for Stratford in the film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel.

*Downton Abbey*’s final film, *The Grand Finale*, featured Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, which contributed ornate interiors for Petersfield House, including the famous “singing staircase.” Basildon Park in Berkshire also appeared as the Crawley family’s London residence in the series. Claydon House, noted for its association with Florence Nightingale, had previously been a backdrop for *Far from the Madding Crowd*.

The fantasy epic *House of the Dragon* utilized National Trust-owned Holywell Bay in Cornwall for expansive coastal scenes, with nearby St Michael’s Mount representing the island home of House Velaryon. Both locations are known for their historic landscapes and architectural significance.

Calke Abbey in Derbyshire provided atmospheric interiors for the *Peaky Blinders* series, its preserved state lending itself to portraying wartime Britain. Filming there included scenes centered on the main character, Tommy Shelby. The estate’s conservation projects have benefited from location fees, funding updates like interior blinds and path repairs.

Other notable productions include *Bridgerton*, with Surrey’s Ham House and Garden serving as the setting for key scenes across season four. Osterley Park and House in West London also featured prominently, providing elegant 18th-century gardens for critical narrative moments. Montacute House in Somerset was the backdrop for the recently released satirical period drama *Savage House*, starring Richard E Grant and Claire Foy, with the Elizabethan architecture and gardens enhancing the film’s historical atmosphere.

The film *Madfabulous* chronicling the flamboyant life of Henry Cyril Paget, the “Dancing Marquess,” was partly shot at Plas Newydd on Anglesey, North Wales. The Grade I-listed mansion’s gardens and terraces contributed to depicting Paget’s extravagant lifestyle. An accompanying exhibition this summer displays costumes designed for the production.

Lastly, Penrhyn Castle in Bangor, North Wales, appeared in the Netflix drama *House of Guinness*. Built in 1840, the castle’s grand scale and interiors provided a fitting location to represent Ashford Castle, the Guinness family home. The production was created by Steven Knight, known for *Peaky Blinders* and *SAS Rogue Heroes*, and credits the castle’s oppressive historical links and architectural grandeur as key storytelling elements.

Overall, the use of National Trust properties in film and television continues to be a significant source of funding and increased visitor interest, supporting both preservation efforts and local tourism economies.