Nine Beautiful Film Locations from Netflix’s Rebecca (That Yes, You Can Visit IRL)
Go behind the scenes of one of autumn’s most exciting film releases. Make like the de Winters as you explore the UK’s art-filled country manors and gardens that set the scene for Manderley, and hop between Devon’s rocky beaches and the sun-drenched shores of Monte Carlo.
28 October, 2020
- Words by
- Rae Boocock
Since
Since
the drop of Netflix’s adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s
1938 novel, we’ve been fantasising about a life spent swanning
between the exotic fringe of Monte Carlo, raucous costume balls in
Manderley and Cornwall’s wild and craggy coast. Perhaps minus the
ghost of Rebecca. And the leering Mrs Danvers, for that matter.
Sure, Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas put on
stellar performances, but the darkly romantic Manderley really is
the star of the show. It was shot across a number manor houses,
many of which make great day-trip destinations on a UK staycation.
And so we’ve scouted them out – and thrown in a few sunny French
film locations, should you need a more exotic hit of escapism.
Behind the scenes: the destinations behind Netflix’s new film
adaptation of Rebecca
thingstodo
Osterley House
Hounslow
Of course, while the de Winters and friends were partying
upstairs, Manderley’s servants were having their own get-together
“below-stairs”. That’s where the warren-like corridors and basement
kitchen of the 16th-century Osterley House come in. A fake fire,
food and crockery were added as props. Visit today (just a tube
journey from central London) and you might also recognise its
Tudor-era stable block – this is where Rebecca’s cousin, Jack
Favell, persuaded Mrs de Winter to try horse riding.
Stay: Bingham Riverhouse
thingstodo
Hartland Quay
Devon
Rebecca may be set in Cornwall, but those brooding beach scenes
were actually filmed in Hartland Quay, a scooch north of Bude. The
Atlantic careers into the rocky shoreline here, meaning that it’s
been the site of many shipwrecks over the centuries. Drop by to
spot unusual rock formations as you hop between coves or pick up
the South West Coast Path – bring good walking boots; this part of
the trail is notoriously tough.
Stay: The Red Lion Hotel
thingstodo
Waddesdon Manor
Buckinghamshire
The wonderfully OTT suite where Mrs Van Hopper and our
protagonist stay at the start of the film is actually in
Buckinghamshire not Monte Carlo – though you’d be hard pressed to
tell; this Renaissance-style chateau makes a believable stand-in.
Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild built the place in 1877 as a summer
retreat in which to entertain friends and family. Can’t carve out
the time to visit in person? Take a nosy at its rooms on a virtual
tour.
Stay: The Five Arrows Hotel
thingstodo
Hatfield House
Hertfordshire
thingstodo
Petworth House
West Sussex
Taking its cue from Europe’s baroque places, this Grade
I-listed, 17th-century country house is one of just a handful of
its kind in the UK to have its own purpose-built gallery. A few
prop artworks were brought in for filming, but some of the estate’s
collection is still in shot when Mrs de Winter is exploring
Manderley. Peruse its collection before wandering through the
pleasure gardens designed by Capability Brown and across the South
Downs beyond.
Stay: The Horse
Guards Inn
thingstodo
Mapperton House
Dorset
This sandstone manor near Beaminster doubles up as Rebecca’s
wing. Before Mrs de Winter was smashing porcelain figures here and
Mrs Danvers getting a bit too vigorous with the hairbrushing,
Mapperton also backdropped films such as Emma and Far from the
Madding Crowd. The Earl and Countess of Sandwich live there today.
We recommend exploring the Italianate gardens if you swing by –
you’ll spot the orangery where Maxim hosts a small family gathering
with Keely Hawes.
Stay: The Ollerod
thingstodo
Jardin Exotique de Monaco
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Tumbling down a cliff face in Monte Carlo, this botanical garden
is decorated with succulents first brought back from Mexico in the
1860s. It was founded by Prince Albert in 1902 and, during
construction, engineers found a natural grotto hidden beneath –
take a guided tour inside or simply find a quiet balcony from which
to gaze across the Mediterranean as the future Mr and Mrs de Winter
do at the start of their love affair.
Nice, France
Many scenes in “Monte Carlo” were shot in the French Riviera,
with some of Nice’s most glamorous buildings and sun-drenched
coastal roads evoking the rose-tinted era of travel in the 30s. The
grand, belle-epoque exterior and columned lobby of Le Régina sets
our eyes like saucers at the start of Rebecca. Queen Victoria once
stayed at this opulent hotel (converted to apartments in the 30s),
a short walk from the Musée Matisse.
Stay: Hotel Negresco
thingstodo
Bay of Billionaires
Cap d’Antibes, France
The small, rocky cove where Maxim and the nameless protagonist
canoodle on the golden sands is in this bay, where rich types have
built mansions since the 19th century. Should you visit today, we
recommend dropping by the belle-epoque Villa Eilenroc and gardens
designed by Charles Garnier, the architect behind Paris’s famed
opera house.
Stay: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc