Apethorpe Palace

Among England’s greatest country houses, Apethorpe Palace holds a particularly important place in English history. Once owned by Elizabeth I, who inherited it from Henry VIII, the palace became a favoured royal residence during the Tudor and Stuart reigns.

This royal patronage resulted in one of the most complete and magnificent series of Jacobean State rooms in the Country, including a grand Long Gallery—the second largest in England—and the King's Bedchamber. 

Built around three historic courtyards, Apethorpe Palace reflects an extraordinary range of architectural styles, spanning from its Tudor origins through Jacobean grandeur to Georgian elegance and Edwardian refinement. While the palace is perhaps most renowned for its Jacobean features, including richly carved fireplaces, plaster ceilings, and oak paneling, later additions such as the Orangery, White Hall, Georgian Library, and Dovecot add further layers of visual texture and aesthetic opportunity.

The palace is further enhanced by its elegant loggias, which link the house seamlessly to its beautifully landscaped gardens. These open-air colonnades provide a stunning connection between the stately interior and the expansive grounds, offering both a striking visual feature and atmospheric location for shoots that require a blend of indoors and outdoors.

Key Features for Shoots & Filming:

• Three architecturally distinct courtyards

• Great Hall and Parlour

• Extensive state apartments with Jacobean detailing

• Dramatic Long Gallery

• Expansive formal gardens and parkland

• Elegant loggias connecting the house to the gardens

• Georgian library, Orangery, and White Hall 

• The Stable Block dating from the mid-17th century

As the only former royal palace in private hands, Apethorpe has recently undergone extensive, sensitive restoration by its current owners . Today, the palace offers modern conveniences—central heating, high-capacity electrical infrastructure, Wifi

Image Credits: Historic England Archives