Where was Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell filmed?
The world of Strange & Norrell, though unique in its magical history, also has roots in real history. This meant that the production team was able to shoot much of the series on locations, repurposed to become both domestic and fantastical places we see in the drama.
Although the team also went to Croatia and Canada to shoot Venice and the Battle of Waterloo respectively, much of filming took place in Britain. And if you fancy paying them a visit, look no further than our locations guide...
Kirkstall Abbey
is one of the most complete medieval Cistercian monasteries in Britain, with its origins dating back to 1152. Located on the banks of the River Aire and surrounded by beautiful greenery, it now hosts an annual festival and is free to visit.
The abbey was used as the location for Mr Norrell's extensive library at Hurtview Library - the perfect place for us to make our first acquaintence with the secretive magician. In need of a reminder? .
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
Fountains Abbey
This World Heritage site cared for by the National Trust provided multiple locations for the adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell. The elegant exterior of the 17th century Fountains Hall doubled up as Hurtfew Abbey, the home of the reclusive Mr Norell. While a pretty stone holiday cottage situated opposite the river Skell and weir in the picturesque Skell Valley on the estate provided the exterior for the cottage where Jonathan Strange performed his first ever spell.
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York Minster
In one of the most spectacular scenes of the series, Mr Norrell transforms the centuries-old statues of into living creatures, stunning the into submission.
One of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, work started on the current building in 1220 and took over 250 years to complete. Being a popular place for worship and to visit, the team needed to film in the evening to film their scene in York Minster, working quickly to capture everything inside the building in just one night.
Oakwell Hall
"But you are his equal"
Talented magical novice Jonathan Strange is encouraged to take up an apprenticeship.
was built in 1583 and is credited with being the muse that inspired the manor house Fieldhead in Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley. In Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, the interior and exteriors of the building are used to represent Starecross Hall, the mysterious, magical building where Strange first meets Segundas and Honeyfoot, and which we later see repurposed as a sanitorium by the latter two gentlemen.
The interior of the manor also provided the location for Strange's lodging in Portsmouth in episode 2.
You can take a closer look at its interior on the .
Wentworth Woodhouse
This privately owned Georgian residence, located near Rotherham, is twice the size of Buckingham Palace. Being so large, with an estimated five miles worth of corridors lining its interiors, the team were able to put it to extensive use, transforming rooms to provide the settings for key scenes such as the Lost Hope ballroom, the London residencies of Mr Norrell, Strange and Sir Walter Pole, the House of Commons and Shoreditch.
Wentworth Woodhouse recently opened to the public and .
