PRIDE AND LOCATIONS
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the residences featured in Andrew Davies’s masterful BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice are still marvelled at some 25 years later. The locations remain some of the most glorious examples of England’s finest architecture.
While the Bingley sisters would gossip about the Bennets’ descent, Longbourn’s beauty is certainly not anything to be mocked. Standing as Luckington Court in Wiltshire, it was in recent years put up for sale, garnering a lot interest. Not bad for a residence slighted by Lady Catherine de Bourgh for having an “inconvenient sitting-room”.
Fortunately, many other locations can be visited through the National Trust. Belton House is in Grantham, Lincolnshire and served as the formidable Lady de Bourgh’s grand abode, Rosings Park. Ironically, Belton House’s owner, Sir John Brownlow, despite his wealth, decided to build it modestly. Lady de Bourgh would be displeased to know that the house is now open to the public.
It is also possible to retrace Elizabeth’s steps to Pemberley by visiting the magnificent Lyme Park, Stockport, and see the infamous lake. In the Peak District, it attracts thousands of tourists. Pemberley’s interiors can also be seen at Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire.
Contrastingly, Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, the location of the jovial Bingley’s Netherfield ball, is a private residence, but now also aptly a venue that can be hired for celebrations. The locations brought the adaptation to life and brought upon the realisation that a mere three miles to Netherfield from Longbourn by foot is in fact extraordinarily optimistic!
TALLULAH RUSHAYA For the real houses that inspired some of our great works of literature,