With wide open plains, quaint villages and centuries old buildings, as well as an abundance of beauty spots, it’s no surprise that Surrey has featured on a number of Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows over the years and is considered a first-class filming location. Here’s our pick and the best Surrey film locations…

THE CROWN: Horsley Estate, East Horsley

Built by Sir Charles Barry in 1820, who also designed The Houses of Parliament, Horsley Estate is set in acres of Surrey parklands. It was once home to the Lovelace family, and most notably Lord Byron’s daughter Ada Lovelace, who was regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers, due to her pioneering work on mathematician Charles Babbage’s mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine. Now an upmarket hotel, De Vere’s mansion house, Horsley Towers, has recently had a multi-million pound makeover and was also featured in Netflix’s hugely popular series The Crown – seen in season two, episode six, Horsley Towers appears on screen as the German Marburg Castle in Hesse.

CASINO ROYALE: Dunsfold Park, Cranleigh

Situated between Guildford and Godalming, much of the aerodrome’s work was classified and remained a mystery until the Official Secrets Act was lifted in the early 1990s. Dunsfold airfield began life in 1942 after the First Canadian Army began construction of an emergency airfield. Up until 1945, a variety of aircrafts including Typhoons and Spitfires operated from it but after the war, it became a repatriation centre and over 47,000 prisoners of war were returned home. Dunsfold, though, is perhaps best known nowadays for being the home of BBC1’s car series Top Gear but has also featured in several blockbuster movies including Batman Begins, The Da Vinci Code and World War Z. It also doubled up as Miami Airport in Daniel Craig’s first-ever outing as James Bond in Casino Royale.

THE FAVOURITE, Hampton Court Palace

The Favourite is a historical period drama telling of the eccentric Queen Anne and her relationship between two cousins vying to be the monarch’s main aid. Making use of the opulent grounds of Hampton Court Palace, filming took place in this iconic Surrey location along the Thames with scenes shot in The Cartoon Gallery, Fountain Court and Henry VIII’s kitchens

DIANA: Fetcham Park, Leatherhead

Tucked away in the leafy parish of Fetcham is a stunning wedding venue and offices, which is steeped in history. Rarely open to the public, Fetcham Park was once home to an MP, London banker and a captain, as well as serving as a boys’ boarding school called Badingham College from 1927-1940. It is the mansion’s wall and ceiling murals by esteemed artist Louis Laguerre which are still a talking point – having been recently restored, the murals are painted in a baroque style, depicting mythological themes. Rooms at Fetcham Park were seen in the biographical film Diana, starring Naomi Watts, masquerading as the Imperial Suite from The Ritz in London.

VANITY FAIR: West Horsley Place, Leatherhead

Now home to Grange Park Opera during the summer season West Horsley Place is used to accommodating large crowds in its walled gardens. But it was the mansion that was recently the set for lavish period drama Vanity Fair, featuring a whole host of British talent including Michael Palin, Olivia Cooke and Martin Clunes. The medieval house which sits on 380 acres of land, dates back to 1425, although there has been a building on site since the Saxon period. Once owned by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I is known to have stayed at West Horsley Place on several occasions. The building is now on the Historic England’s At Risk Register and a major restoration project is underway to bring it back to its former glory.

Best of the rest Surrey filming locations

DOWNTON ABBEY

This historical drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the family’s Edwardian country mansion Downton Abbey. Byfleet Manor is the location of Dowager Violet’s home and its magnificent facade is often seen on screen.

A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL

A three-part TV series starring Hugh Grant, based on the story of British Liberal Party leader, Jeremy Thorpe. Surrey County Hall in Kingston played host to various scenes in the drama, including the old court room, cells and external courtyard. Scenes were also filmed in Esher and Englefield Green.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry discovers an old book marked as “the property of the Half-Blood Prince” and begins to discover Voldemort’s dark past… Scenes were filmed at Bourne Wood in Farnham, and at Surbiton train station. 

SKYFALL

Skyfall, sees Daniel Craig return again as 007,for an action-fuelled mission, to track down and destroy the latest threat to MI6 and to M. The large expanse of heathland at Hankley Common (MoD site) near Elstead in Surrey, is the setting for Skyfall Manor, Bond’s childhood home, which in the film is based in Scotland.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

The classic story of a prince who turns into a beast, and must find a way for local girl Belle to fall in love with him, in order to break the spell. Jelly’s Hollow at Winterfold Wood in Cranleigh, was used for scenes in the dark forest.

For more Surrey filming and London film locations check out this post.