Thoresby Hall, a stunning country house located in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, has been a popular location for filmmakers for many years.

With its grand architecture, beautiful gardens and picturesque surroundings, it’s easy to see why it has been chosen as a filming location for many movies and TV shows.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the films that have been shot on location at Thoresby Hall.

Great Expectations (1999)

One of the most well-known movies filmed at Thoresby Hall is the 1999 adaptation of Great Expectations, directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow.

In the movie, Thoresby Hall was used as the setting for Miss Havisham’s grand mansion. The hall’s stunning interiors, including its grand staircase and opulent dining room, perfectly captured the decaying grandeur of the character’s home.

The Ruling Class (1972)

Another notable movie filmed at Thoresby Hall is The Ruling Class, a 1972 British comedy-drama directed by Peter Medak and starring Peter O’Toole. The hall served as the location for many of the interior shots of the grand estate, including the ballroom and various other rooms in the house.

The film tells the story of a paranoid schizophrenic aristocrat who inherits the title of 14th Earl of Gurney, and the ensuing power struggle that takes place within his family.

The Duchess (2008)

The Duchess is a period drama directed by Saul Dibb and stars Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. The movie tells the story of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, who was a prominent figure in 18th-century English society.

Thoresby Hall was used as a filming location for several scenes in the movie, including the ballroom scenes and the exterior shots of the Duke of Devonshire’s estate. The hall’s grandeur and opulence were a perfect match for the movie’s period setting.

Jane Eyre (2011)

In 2011, Thoresby Hall was used as a location for the film adaptation of Jane Eyre, directed by Cary Fukunaga and starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.

The hall was used as the setting for Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr. Rochester, the main character in the novel.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The Dark Knight Rises is a superhero movie directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, and Anne Hathaway.

The movie was the third and final installment in Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and was a critical and commercial success.

Thoresby Hall was used as the filming location for several scenes in the movie, including the exterior shots of Wayne Manor. The hall’s gothic architecture and picturesque surroundings perfectly suited the dark and moody tone of the movie.

The Crown (2016-)

The Crown is a historical drama series created by Peter Morgan for Netflix. The series follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her early years to the present day.

Thoresby Hall was used for several episodes of the series, including the interior shots of Buckingham Palace and the exterior shots of Sandringham House.

The hall’s grandeur and majesty perfectly suited the regal atmosphere of the show.

The Black Prince (2017)

The Black Prince is a historical drama film directed by Kavi Raz, which tells the story of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab.

Thoresby Hall was used as a filming location for the movie, with its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens providing the perfect backdrop for the film’s historical setting.

Journey’s End (2017)

Journey’s End is a 2017 British war drama directed by Saul Dibb and starring Sam Claflin, Asa Butterfield, and Paul Bettany. The film is set during World War I and follows a group of British soldiers in the trenches.

Thoresby Hall was used as the location for several scenes in the movie, including the officers’ mess.

The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

The Haunting of Bly Manor is a supernatural horror series created by Mike Flanagan for Netflix. The series is a follow-up to The Haunting of Hill House and tells the story of a young governess who is hired to look after two orphaned children in a remote country house.

Thoresby Hall was used as the filming location for Bly Manor, the creepy old mansion where the show takes place.

The hall’s gothic architecture and sprawling grounds were a perfect fit for the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of the show.

Other Films

Thoresby Hall has also been used as a location for several other films and TV shows over the years, including the TV series Victoria, in which it doubled as the interior of Buckingham Palace, and the movie The Haunting (1963), directed by Robert Wise.

In conclusion, Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire, England, has been a popular location for filmmakers for many years. Its grand architecture, stunning interiors, and picturesque surroundings have made it the perfect backdrop for many movies and TV shows.

From literary adaptations like Great Expectations and Jane Eyre, to historical dramas like The Black Prince and war films like Journey’s End, Thoresby Hall has been a versatile location for filmmakers to capture their stories on screen.