The top mansions & heritage houses used in films & TV

These days most British stately homes echo gently to the sounds of tinkling tea cups and tourists. But did you know many have a thrilling past packed with medieval betrayals, ill-fated romances and battles to the death? Well, in film and on TV, anyway.

Here’s our guide to some of the UK’s best heritage houses as seen on screen…

Wolf Hall - Great Chalfield Manor

Wiltshire’s modest moated medieval manor is no stranger to the screen, having played a part in The Other Boleyn Girl, Lark Rise to Candleford and Tess of the D’Urbervilles. In the BBC’s acclaimed TV adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning novel Wolf Hall, the 15^th century gem doubles as Thomas Cromwell’s bustling and happy ‘Austin Friars’ home. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Downton Abbey – Highclere Castle

The ‘real’ Downton Abbey – the magnificent Victorian manor where the smash hit ITV series is filmed – is home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, whose family have lived in the Newbury site since 1679.

Downton Abbey author Julian Fellowes is a longstanding family friend and had Highclere in mind when writing the series. It is now a magnet for period drama-loving tourists, and visitors can see relics of the Egyptian finds of the 5^th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as 1,000 acres of parkland, the state rooms, bedrooms, woodland and follies. www.highclerecastle.co.uk

Bridget Jones’s Diary - Stoke Park

Once a private 18^th century estate, now a luxury country club, Buckinghamshire’s Stoke Park is best known for its starring role in Bridget Jones’s Diary.

The famous ‘mini break’ and rowing scene between Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) were shot in the mansion, lakes and Pennsylvania Suite. It is also the site where Sean Connery’s 007 and arch-villain Goldfinger played golf in the 1964 Bond movie, as well as a set location for Wimbledon, Bride & Prejudice and Layer Cake. www.stokepark.com

Game of Thrones – Castle Ward

Castle Ward’s historic farmyard is home to Winterfell, seat of the House of Stark in HBO’s hit American fantasy drama. It’s where you will find the Whispering Wood as well as key scenes including the Baleor battle and Brienne’s confrontation with the Stark men. The County Down house itself is a classical-meets-gothic 18^th century mansion, with man-made canal, beautiful sunken garden and views across the tranquil Strangford Lough. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The Dark Knight Rises – Osterley Park & House

It’s hard to picture this genteel Georgian country house and gardens near suburban Hounslow as the setting for Christopher Nolan’s epic Batman adventure, but its interior was actually the setting for Wayne Manor, home of Bruce Wayne – aka Batman himself. It isn’t the first time the estate has been seen on the silver screen. 1960 Cary Grant movie The Grass is Greener was shot there, as was the 1984 film Top Secret! Starring Val Kilmer, and even an episode of 1970s cult series The Persuaders, with Roger Moore and Tony Curtis. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Written by: Alexa Baracaia