Sussex Stately Homes on the Silver Screen

Sussex and the surrounding South East region have long served as the backdrop for period dramas and Jane Austen adaptations. With the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth continuing to drive interest in local filming locations, this spring provides a chance to visit several estates that have appeared on screen. Firle Place, located near Lewes, is a historic country house with Tudor roots and a Georgian facade that has been home to the Gage family for over 500 years. It served as the setting for Hartfield in the 2020 adaptation of Emma and houses an art collection featuring works by Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The property is scheduled to open to the public this spring starting on May 3.

In Brighton, the Royal Pavilion remains a prominent site for film productions, having appeared in My Policeman (2022), The Current War (2017), and Richard III (1995). The Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust is currently running several specialized tours. The Basement & Tunnel Tours and the Secrets of the Royal Pavilion Tour are ongoing, while the Behind Closed Doors Tour focuses on the upper chambers. There is also a general introductory guided tour every Saturday at 2pm. Not far away in Lewes, Anne of Cleves House offers a look into Tudor life. This 15th-century timber-framed hall house was part of the annulment settlement for Henry VIII’s fourth wife and is open from Tuesday to Sunday until November 8, 2026. Admission is £7.50 for adults, with a special "Medieval Life" event taking place today and yesterday, April 4 and 5, though the house remains open for regular visits throughout the season.

Further into West Sussex, Petworth House and Park is managed by the National Trust and features a Baroque style with an extensive art collection. It has been used as a location for Napoleon (2023), Bridgerton (2022), and Mr Turner (2014). Visitors this week might have caught the Spring Makers Market which took place on April 11 and 12. For those following the recent series Miss Austen, the town of Rye and the coastal area of Camber Sands provided key settings. Watchbell Street and the Church of Saint Mary in Rye were used for filming, while Camber Sands represented the scenery of Sidmouth.

Planning a visit to these locations involves checking specific seasonal schedules, as many operate on varying hours. For those interested in the broader literary trail, Jane Austen's House in Chawton has several events lined up for 2026. The 'Staging Pride and Prejudice' exhibition is running through the year, and a guided walking tour in Winchester is scheduled for April 18. Additionally, a virtual festival focused on Sense & Sensibility is set for the first weekend in May. These sites offer a way to see the architecture and landscapes that continue to attract major film and television productions to the Sussex area.