Filming Locations of the Disney+ Series Rivals
Explore the real-life English estates and historic sites behind the hit series.
1Production Across English Landscapes
The Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel Rivals utilizes the scenic Cotswolds to recreate the fictional 1980s county of Rutshire. Production crews filmed across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire to capture the lavish lifestyle of the elite. These historic rural settings provide the authentic backdrop for the show's chaotic dinner parties and polo matches.
2Historic Estates as Residences
Chavenage House, an Elizabethan estate built in 1576, serves as the O’Hara family home, known as The Priory. Meanwhile, the Grade II-listed Berkeley House in Tetbury portrays the residence of American producer Cameron Cook. These properties, often featuring classic stone architecture, define the visual identity of the show's upper-class characters.
3Transforming Towns into Rutshire
The town of Tetbury was transformed into the fictional village of Cotchester, complete with period-accurate signage referencing Margaret Thatcher. Corsham in Wiltshire also provided historic streetscapes to flesh out the village setting. These locations were carefully reimagined to reflect the specific aesthetic of the 1980s era depicted in the series.
4Bristol as a Media Hub
Bristol serves as a central production hub, with the Castlewood office in Clevedon doubling as the Corinium TV headquarters. The production also utilized TBY2 at The Bottle Yard Studios to construct replica 1980s television sets. Additionally, the city's Corn Street was used to film various London street scenes and club sequences.
5Polo and Sporting Venues
The prestigious Beaufort Polo Club hosted the Rutshire Cup sequences, capturing the high-stakes atmosphere of the sport. For additional match footage, the crew constructed a custom pitch within the grounds of the 12th-century Berkeley Castle. These venues highlight the show's focus on the leisure activities of the British elite class.
6Preserved Heritage and Transport
The East Somerset Railway’s Cranmore station provided the setting for a key rail-side encounter between characters Freddie and Lizzie. This heritage site, which operates steam trains, offers a distinct period atmosphere. The production also filmed inside a preserved Concorde aircraft at the Aerospace museum in Bristol for the show's opening scenes.
7International Filming Locations
Beyond the English countryside, the production moved to Spain to film episode six. The Grand Hotel Las Dunas in Estepona served as the primary location for the characters' stay. Scenes were also captured in Malaga, specifically around the historic Calle San Agustin and the terrace of the Casa de los Bates Restaurant.
8Public Access to Sets
Many filming locations, such as Chavenage House and Berkeley Castle, remain open to the public for tours and visits. Others, like the private Neston estate, are restricted. Fans can visit these sites to experience the real-world geography that shaped the visual narrative of this popular, high-stakes television drama series.
Original article: The Independent – Travel — Filming Locations of the Disney+ Series Rivals