The BBC's hit historical drama Wolf Hall is back for a second series, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, almost a decade after its first series.
The Wolf Hall TV series is based on a trilogy of novels by the late Hilary Mantel, which depict a fictionalised biography of Thomas Cromwell's rapid rise to power in Henry VIII's court. It's broadcast on BBC One and can also be watched on BBC iPlayer.
Where is Wolf Hall filmed?
Due to its period Tudor setting, Wolf Hall has been filmed at a number National Trust and English Heritage properties - with many used across Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Signs pointing towards filming locations such as Berkley Castle and Wells Cathedral (one of England's most beautiful cathedrals) displayed the letters WH, which were thought to stand for Wolf Hall.
Lighting these historical locations proved a challenge in the previous series. To keep the sets as historically accurate as possible, the crew used natural lighting sources (such as candles) wherever they could - which prompted criticism from viewers, who complained it was too dark. However, many of the locations that appeared in the first series have been used again for the second.
Wolf Hall filming locations
Dover Castle, Kent
Dover Castle, which is managed by English Heritage, doubles for the Tower of London - with the second series beginning moments after the execution of Anne Boleyn. In an interview with Radio Times, series producer Mark Pybus revealed that the team initially considered filming at the Tower of London, but there were too many modern buildings (and tourists) around it.
Wells Cathedral, Somerset
The awe-inspring architecture of Wells Cathedral means it's frequently used as a filming location, including Doctor Who, A Discovery of Witches and Becoming Elizabeth.
In Wolf Hall, Wells Cathedral doubles as the Palace of Whitehall where we see Henry VIII marry his third wife Jane Seymour.
Montacute House, Somerset
One of the filming locations from the first series, the Elizabeth mansion returns as Greenwich Palace - Henry VIII's main London seat. Montacute House's extensive grounds were used for external shots in the first series. While in The Mirror and the Light, its 15th-century tapestries frame an ageing, gout-ridden Henry VIII.
Hampton Court Palace, London
The crew were granted permission to film at Hampton Court Palace, which was one of Henry VIII's favourite residences. Scenes were filmed in The Great Hall - making it possibly the first TV drama to ever film interior scenes in the historical room. In Bridgerton, exterior shots were used of the palace for Queen Charlotte's residence, with Lancaster House in Westminster used for the interiors.
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As Henry VIII, Jane Seymour and Thomas Cromwell wandered its halls hundreds of years ago, it's certainly fitting that Wolf Hall could film there.
Other Wolf Hall filming locations include
- Great Chalfield Manor and Garden, Wiltshire - Owned by the National Trust, this was used as Austin Friars, Thomas Cromwell's home
- Horton Court, Gloucestershire - The Grade I-listed manor house was used as Thomas Cromwell's study in series 1 and 2. You can now stay in it as a holiday cottage
- Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire - This house can be spotted in scenes set in the grounds of the Seymour family home. No stranger to the silver screen, the house and village also be spotted in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and the BBC's Pride and Prejudice (1995)
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