From ‘Downton Abbey’ to ‘The Gilded Age’: 15 Lavish Real-Life Mansions From Hit Period Dramas

Highclere Castle, located in Hampshire, England, shot to global fame as the grand backdrop of Downton Abbey, the fictional home of the Crawley family. In real life, it’s the seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and the country estate’s jaw-dropping scale—300 rooms and 1,000 acres—reflects centuries of aristocratic legacy. With origins dating back to the 8th century and ties to British royalty (King Charles has stayed here), the property is as storied as it is cinematic.

Don’t expect to find it on the market anytime soon: Highclere remains a working family estate. However, the trailer for the final film in the Downton Abbey trilogy, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, hints at the possibility that the Crawleys may be interested in selling their ancestral home.

When Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes began scouting for an authentic period location in 2019 for HBO’s The Gilded Age, Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, New York, quickly emerged as a natural fit. Though Lyndhurst predates the Gilded Age itself, much of its legacy is deeply entwined with the era—particularly through its third owner, railroad tycoon Jay Gould, a real-life inspiration for the show’s “new money” magnate, George Russell. With its grand Gothic Revival architecture and preserved 19th-century interiors, the estate offered a telegenic backdrop that seamlessly matched the show’s lavish aesthetic.

Throughout seasons one and two, the mansion’s richly detailed rooms doubled as the New York City residence of old-money socialites Charles and Aurora Fane, relatives of the van Rhijns. Beyond the interiors, Lyndhurst’s grounds were cleverly repurposed as Central Park and the Sheep Meadow, while its 1894 bowling alley became the ferry terminal featured in the first epidose of seaon one, and its Carriage House stood in for the offices of The New York Globe.

Few period dramas have captured the imagination quite like Bridgerton, and few filming locations are as majestic as Castle Howard. Standing in for the Duke of Hastings’ fictional Clyvedon Castle in season one, this real-life Baroque masterpiece is located in North Yorkshire, England, and has been in the Howard family for more than three centuries. Construction began in 1699, and today the estate spans over 145 rooms and includes formal gardens, temples, fountains, and even its own chapel—making it one of the most architecturally significant private homes in the country.

Standing as a quintessential example of English heritage and, hence, a go-to setting for period dramas, Wilton House in Wiltshire has been the seat of the Earls of Pembroke since the 1500s. Its neoclassical staterooms and ornately embellished double cube room have famously doubled as Buckingham Palace in The Crown, The King’s Speech, and Young Victoria, while its sweeping grounds and iconic Palladian bridge have starred in Bridgerton, Emma, and Pride and Prejudice. From regency romances to royal biopics, the house’s undeniable charm continues to make it a favorite for directors seeking authentic aristocratic grandeur.

Chatsworth House delivered one of cinema’s most unforgettable period drama moments as Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Set amid the rolling hills of Derbyshire, England, the estate is the longtime seat of the Dukes of Devonshire. Its grand interiors, with more than 300 rooms, along with one of the most important private art collections in the country and manicured grounds, have made it a favorite for filmmakers and royals alike. A recently completed $40 million restoration underscores the kind of deep-pocketed commitment it takes to preserve a legacy property of this scale.

In Newport, Rhode Island, Rosecliff stands as a testament to the opulence of America’s Gilded Age elite. Commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs and designed by the acclaimed architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, the mansion draws direct inspiration from the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Built to host extravagant gatherings, Rosecliff became synonymous with high society and lavish entertaining. Today, following a $7.4 million renovation, the estate is open to the public as a historic house museum.

The mansion’s elegant white exterior is featured in HBO’s The Gilded Age as the residence of Sylvia Chamberlain, appearing notably in season one, episode seven, when Tom Raikes pays a visit. Rosecliff’s striking presence and rich history add an authentic backdrop to the show, embodying the era’s luxurious lifestyle and social intricacies with undeniable grandeur.

Nestled on more than 2,000 acres of rolling Oxfordshire countryside, Blenheim Palace is synonymous with British heritage. The principal home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only an architectural marvel but also a favorite backdrop for period dramas. Designed by the famed 18th-century landscape architect Capability Brown, the estate’s sprawling grounds and stunning interiors have lent their timeless elegance to countless productions.

Most notably, Blenheim Palace features prominently in both Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and the third season of Bridgerton. In the prequel, it doubles as the opulent Buckingham House, with the Great Court hosting royal guards and carriages, and the Water Terraces transformed for the series’ lavish final ball. Interestingly, Blenheim’s real-life ties to Queen Charlotte and King George III inspired renovations at the actual Buckingham House.

With 70 rooms bathed in marble imported from Italy and Africa and a library mantel sourced from a French château, the Breakers not only stands as the grandest of the famed “summer cottages” built in Newport, Rhode Island, but it also serves as a breathtaking centerpiece of HBO’s The Gilded Age, embodying the era’s opulence and fierce social ambition. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt between 1892 and 1902, this Renaissance Revival mansion was commissioned by the Vanderbilt family as a statement of their immense wealth and power during America’s most extravagant era. 

On The Gilded Age, The Breakers’ Italian Renaissance great hall and music room double as Bertha Russell’s dazzling New York City ballroom, showcased in the show’s final ball scene in season one. The mansion’s sprawling billiard room also provides a dramatic backdrop for George Russell’s strategic business discussions. Behind the scenes, the preservation society worked closely with HBO’s production team to protect the historic interiors, creatively adapting elements like the original billiard table to fit filming needs without compromising the estate’s integrity. There’s no official public sale price for The Breakers since it was purchased by the Preservation Society in 1972 for $365,000.

Belvoir Castle, perched in the rolling countryside of Leicestershire, England, has become a favorite stand-in for regal residences on screen, notably doubling for Windsor Castle in The Crown and Young Victoria. This romantic Gothic Revival fortress, home to the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, commands an impressive presence with its battlements, turrets, and sweeping views over more than 15,000 acres of parkland. Its timeless architecture and expansive grounds make it one of the most evocative and historically rich estates in Britain—though it remains firmly in the hands of the Rutland family.

The Elms, a grand limestone mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, was completed in 1901 for coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind and epitomizes the opulence of America’s Gilded Age. Modeled after the Château d’Asnières near Paris, the estate was one of the first in Newport to be wired for electricity. Today, it stands in as the fictional home of the newly wealthy Russell family in The Gilded Age. While exterior shots in the HBO series suggest a sweeping waterfront setting, the estate is actually landlocked. Inside, the mansion’s sprawling basement kitchen, once staffed by dozens of servants, cleverly doubles as the Russells’ New York kitchen.

Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England, is a star in its own right, having played host to a procession of iconic period dramas, including The Favourite, Rebecca, and The Crown, to name a few. The 17th-century Jacobean mansion, in the Cecil family for over 400 years and now the home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury, is famed for its strikingly symmetrical façade, richly decorated interiors, and sprawling parkland—all just a short drive from London. Its timeless elegance and versatility have made it a go-to location for filmmakers seeking the perfect blend of historical gravitas and beauty that lends itself perfectly to film and television cameras.

The moment when Pemberley comes into view in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice remains unforgettable for fans of the Jane Austen classic. Often hailed as the definitive screen version, this series perfectly captured the turning point in Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s romance and brought to life the very estate many imagined from the novel’s descriptions. The house featured is Lyme Park, located in Disley, Cheshire, within the scenic Peak District.

Lyme Park was historically the home of the Legh family and later the Lords of Newton, with its architecture evolving over several centuries from the 16th through the 19th. Now managed by the National Trust, the estate is open to the public, allowing visitors to step inside and experience firsthand the setting of one of literature’s most enduring love stories.

Belcourt of Newport, completed in 1894 for the fortunately born banker and social figure Oliver Belmont, is a striking Château-style mansion crafted by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt. Inspired by the hunting lodge at Versailles built for Louis XIII, Belcourt was uniquely designed to accommodate Belmont’s extensive collection of horses and automobiles. After gifting the estate to his second wife, Alva Vanderbilt—who had previously built another of Newport’s massive cottages, Marble House, with her first husband —Belcourt became a social hub for Newport’s elite. Lavish parties and gatherings filled its grand halls, attracting prominent figures from politics, business, and the arts. Belcourt also makes a memorable appearance on HBO’s The Gilded Age in season one, episode eight, as Mrs. Astor’s opulent Newport residence.

Nestled on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll, Scotland, Inveraray Castle brought authentic Highland drama to Downton Abbey’s 2012 Christmas special as the imposing Duneagle Castle. With its classic turrets, battlements, and mist-shrouded lochs, this 18th-century estate is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll and offers a striking blend of history, rugged beauty, and architectural confidence. Unlike many period drama estates, Inveraray is open to the public, allowing visitors to step inside a genuine Scottish stronghold steeped in centuries of clan history. Its dramatic setting and storied past make it a coveted prize for any collector of historic estates—though its current status as a family home and visitor attraction keeps it firmly out of reach for now.

One of the first of the grand mansions along Newport’s famed Bellevue Avenue, Château-sur-Mer was completed in 1852 by architect Seth C. Bradford for the merchant trade tycoon William Shepard Wetmore, with interiors crafted by Ogden Codman Jr., co-author of Edith Wharton’s The Decoration of Houses. Château-sur-Mer earned its place in high society with its exotic decor and by hosting grand events such as the 1857 Fête Champêtre and the 1889 debutante ball for Edith Wetmore. The estate’s historical significance extends beyond social pageantry; Wetmore’s son, George Peabody Wetmore, served as Rhode Island’s governor and later U.S. senator.

In The Gilded Age, Château-sur-Mer’s impressive façade stands in for Caroline Astor’s Beechwood House, providing an authentic backdrop for the series’ depiction of Newport’s high society. Inside, the mansion’s elegant rooms are used to film pivotal scenes, including Mamie Fish’s doll tea party in the hallway, dining room, and ballroom. Several bedrooms and offices within the estate double as living and working spaces for characters such as Agnes and Oscar van Rhijn, Anne Morris, and Patrick Morris.