Pride and Prejudice locations
The fact that the East Midlands was used extensively in filming Pride & Prejudice is especially fitting given that Jane Austen drew on the Derbyshire landscape for some of her most descriptive passages in the novel. Austen's descriptions of the county refer to there being 'no finer county in England than Derbyshire'.
Derbyshire
In Derbyshire, stay at the small luxury hotel The Peacock at Rowsley (www.thepeacockatrowsley.com), in Rowsley. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen used this hotel during filming. While in the area, visit Chatsworth House (www.chatsworth.org). Its stone exterior and sweeping parkland portray Pemberley, Mr Darcy's home, in the movie. Tour the rooms and take in rooftop views.
Haddon Hall is the present-day home of Lord Edward Manners. The Hall transforms into the Inn at Lambton in the movie, while its dining hall becomes Elizabeth's bedroom.
The magnificent Peak District is featured in the movie, including an evocative shot where Keira Knightley surveys the sweeping vistas before her. You'll also find the picturesque village of Hathersage close by.
Lincolnshire
In Lincolnshire, about 90 miles southeast, is Stamford, one of the finest stone Georgian towns in England and the setting for Pride & Prejudice's Meryton Village. The George Hotel of Stamford (www.georgehotelofstamford.com/), said to be one of England's greatest coaching inns and is where Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland stayed.
It took six weeks for carpenters, painters and other craftsmen to transform St. George's Square and the Arts Center into the village. You can take a walking tour of the Stamford locations used in the movie, as well as dine at the award-winning restaurant at The George.
You must visit Burghley House (www.burghley.co.uk/), one of the grandest houses of the Elizabethan age. Burghley House is Rosings in the movie, and features exquisite rooms and décor used in the film. It also featured in the blockbuster starring Tom Hanks, The Da Vinci Code.
The Heaven Room became Lady Catherine's drawing room and the Bow Room became the dining room, appearing very much as it does today. The outdoor scenes of Rosings were also shot here, where in one scene Mr Collins points out the ornate west facade of the house to Lizzie, remarking, 'The most extraordinary sight in all Europe'.
Other locations
In addition to the East Midlands, you’ll find more 'Pride & Prejudice' sites as you travel south to Basildon Park (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-basildonpark/) in Lower Basildon. Here, visit the 18th-century Palladian mansion, which is used for the set of Netherfield Park, Mr Bingley's temporary home. The manor is located in 400 acres of parkland overlooking the River Thames in Berkshire.
In Wiltshire, a short stroll from Stourhead House (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-stourhead/) you'll discover the circular Temple of Apollo with its graceful stonework. Lying in secluded privacy, this is one of the finest landscape gardens in the world and the setting for a dramatic encounter in the rain between Lizzie and Darcy.
In Kent, stop off at Groombridge Place Gardens (www.groombridge.co.uk/), located near Tunbridge Wells. Here you can see the location for Longbourn, the Bennett family home, a tranquil house of mellow brick, set within acres of garden.