We explore some of the attractions featured in the new ITV period drama, Belgravia, to give inspiration for future visits.
The writing talent behind Downton, Julian Fellowes, is back with the new ITV series Belgravia, a period drama shot at suitably dramatic locations in England and Scotland.
Belgravia follows a similar template to Downton in that it swirls around the fortunes of well-to-do families, with their intrigues in love and family affairs creating the narrative drama. It is set, though, at an earlier time period, kicking off with the famous ball hosted by the Duchess of Richmond on the eve of the epochal Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Julian Fellowes has adapted his bestselling eponymous novel for the small screen, again working with the rest of the award-winning creative team behind Downton Abbey – namely Carnival’s Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant as executive producers, alongside Liz Trubridge and Fellowes. The stellar cast (which runs to 65 characters) includes Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Philip Glenister (Mad Dogs), Harriet Walter (The Crown), Alice Eve (She’s Out Of My League), Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones), Saskia Reeves (Luther) and James Fleet (Four Weddings and a Funeral).
The action surrounds the grand porticoed doors of perhaps London’s grandest neighbourhood, Belgravia. In real life Belgravia is suitably grand, but its swathe of embassies, with their high scrutiny and multiple restrictions, meant that Belgravia wasn’t suitable to star on TV as itself. Instead, various locations in the UK were sought, with many of the most dramatic scenes being shot in Scotland. The location scouts did a great job of finding the perfect settings for the 107 different locations and sets.
Below are a list of five of the locations that groups who are fans of Belgravia may be interested in visiting later this year and into next.
1. Moray Place, Edinburgh: This grand New Town circle of epic 19th-century buildings was the perfect stand-in for the elegant streets of Belgravia. On screen it is home to the houses of both the Trenchards and the Brockenhursts.
2. Manderston House, Scottish Borders (lead image): Many of the interior scenes were shot in the rarefied surrounds of one of Scotland’s most elegant country houses. You can spot the Morning Room, Ballroom, Drawing Room, upstairs bedrooms and the lavish sweep of the silver plated staircase.
3. Assembly Rooms, Bath: This was where the scene setting ball on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo took place. It boasts an illustrious history in real life as both Jane Austen and Charles Dickens were said to have been fans.
4. Hopetoun House, South Queensferry near Edinburgh: Scotland’s Versailles on the banks of the Firth of Forth is perhaps the grandest country house in the nation. Already a serial star of the Outlander TV series, Hopetoun is back again in Belgravia with its interior proving suitably impressive.
5. Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire: This grandiose Grade I-listed classical country house reclines in an expansive park in Hertfordshire. Think silk walls and Chippendale furniture. Groups can fine dine in the manner the characters of Belgravia would have been accustomed to in a restaurant housed in one of the many estate buildings.
