Dear reader, when season 1 of Bridgerton was broadcast on Netflix in 2020, Castle Howard played a starring role in Episode 6, doubling as Clyvedon Castle. Based upon Julia Quinn’s novels, the eight-episode series features London in the regency era of Britain, during the debutante season. The Bridgerton family are the focus of this series, made up of… Violet (Mother) - Ruth Gemmell Edmund (Deceased Father) Anthony (Head of the Household) - Jonathan Bailey Benedict - Luke Thompson Colin - Luke Newton Daphne - Phoebe Dynevor Eloise - Claudia Jessie Francesca – Ruby Stokes Gregory – Will Tilston Hyacinth – Florence Hunt In season 1, Daphne Bridgerton’s story and relationship with the Duke of Hastings (played by Rege-Jean Page) is told. Each book and Netflix season will focus upon a different sibling and Season 2 will be all about Anthony and his search for a viscountess.
The House, Gardens and wider estate were highly featured in Episode 6, and also (briefly) in Episode 1, where our 18th century Walled Garden hosted a famous fight scene between Daphne and Nigel Berbrooke (played by Jamie Beamish).
Castle Howard’s Great Hall has always been intended as the main entrance to Castle Howard and in Bridgerton, it is accurately used in this way.
Sir John Vanbrugh was the Dramatist and Architect behind Castle Howard’s Great Hall. As Vanbrugh had never designed anything before, he recruited Nicholas Hawksmoor to aid him with the practical design and construction. Inspired by his theatrical background, Vanbrugh designed the great hall to be as dramatic and visually impressive as possible.
Find out more about Castle Howard's history
When the Duke and Duchess arrive on the North Front of Castle Howard, they are greeted by the household staff. One of the staff members, Matthew, is a Castle Howard team member, who stepped in as an extra for this scene. This was one of the many ways that the production team and Castle Howard fostered a collaborative working relationship while on location.
Although a variety of rooms were featured in episode 6, such as the Antique Passage, Turquoise Room, Long Gallery and Garden Room, the place where the Duke and Duchess spend most of their time is the marital bedroom. The more intimate moments between the couple take place here and Daphne learns why the Duke refuses to have children. This bedroom remains private and is still used to host guests at the Castle. Whilst it is a beautiful space with outstanding views of the North Front, it is a small room which had many implications whilst filming. Our Curatorial team worked closely with the production company to pack away any vulnerable items and make design changes. One subtle change was on the lining of bed canopy from its usual salmon pink to a deep green colour.
The Temple of the Four Winds lies at the eastern end of Temple Terrace, commanding stunning views across the hills. It was designed by Vanbrugh but remained unfinished at the time of his death in 1726; the interiors were finally decorated in 1738 by the stuccoist Francesco Vassalli.
In episode 6, the Duke and Duchess are often seen dining together on a formal refectory table. As they both become accustomed to their new positions and rebel against how many would expect the custodians of Clyvedon to act, they decide to take an evening stroll which is disrupted by a heavy downpour. This is when they both decide to take shelter in the Temple of the Four Winds.
The effect of this heavy downpour required a lot of special effects and teamwork between the production company and Castle Howard– with this scene filmed during the late evening.
The wider Estate of Castle Howard is approximately 8,800 acres, predominantly made up of local villages and farmland. One of closest villages is Coneysthorpe, which a variety of Castle Howard Holiday Cottages are based in.
Book a holiday cottage in Coneysthorpe In Bridgerton, Coneysthorpe is transformed into the set Clyvedon Village which the Duke and Duchess visit together during a fete and Daphne also visits as part of her duties, to gift some local produce from the Castle. The representation of the village is accurate to what it once would have been like, particularly with the use of the green space. A lot of the residents of Coneysthorpe proudly served as extras during this particular scene.