Bridgerton star found her artistic talent in creative Camberley
HER EARLY YEARS IN BORDER TOWN
WHILE the gorgeous scenery and luxurious outfits mean Netflix hit Bridgerton could be set in Surrey, it sadly is not. However, that does not mean the county has no links to the Regency sensation.
In fact, Kate Bridgerton, née Sharma, hails from the News & Mail’s very own Camberley. Simone Ashley, who plays the protective older sister was born in the border town in 1995. Also known for appearing in the popular series Sex Education, she was always a creative child, telling Vogue, “Music, film, photography and art were my fortes”.
While she may have got her start in Surrey, her acting prowess was not confined to the county for long. After leaving school at 16 the star went on to study at the ArtsEd School in Chiswick, before spending some time in LA.
Simone is not Bridgerton’s only Surrey link. The Chinese bridge in Painshill also has a starring role in the series, but unlike Simone only in the background. With an expansion of Shepperton Studios also on the cards, we could soon see other Netflix hits that got their start in the county.
It is perhaps not surprising that Simone was such a creative child given the number of cultural highlights in Camberley. The town has a much loved local theatre that hosts tribute bands, famous stand-ups and family-friendly productions. Located in Knoll Road, the venue is often the base for youth theatre classes, inspiring the next generation of Simone Ashleys.
In addition to the theatre the town is also home to several open air works of art. The Concrete Elephant is more than 60 years old and stands alongside the A30. Created by construction firm Trollope and Colls’ artist and writer Barbara Jones, the iconic symbol of the town was made from a surplus of concrete sewerage and drainage piping.
Into Our First World also calls Camberley home. The bronze sculpture by Ken Ford was unveiled outside the borough council offices in March 1993 and depicts a figure reading under a tree.
More about the town’s history can be found at the Surrey Heath Museum in Obelisk Way. It tells the story of the local area and currently covers the History of Motocross.
If the arts cannot inspire you, perhaps the natural environment will.
Swinley Forest covers an expanse of around 3,000 acres between Camberley and Bracknell in Berkshire. It was recently named one of the best places in the UK to have a walk.
This is not the only place the town has received national recognition for though. In 2020 it was also named one of the best places to buy a home with Homes & Property calling it “nice and leafy” and “deeply affordable by Surrey standards.”