Stars of the screen
Find out which historic houses and dramatic landscapes you can see on-screen, from popular TV dramas to brand new films.
National Trust places Benthall Hall, in Shropshire, and Ashridge, in Hertfordshire, took starring roles in the mystery film Enola Holmes, starring Millie Bobby Brown. Hunt down the places that appeared on screen in the Netflix adventure when you visit.
Based on the beloved book series by Nancy Springer, Enola Holmes introduces the world’s greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, to his fiercest competition yet – his teenage sister.
Here’s how to follow in the footsteps of the cast (Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes, Henry Cavill and Sam Clafin as Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes and Helena Bonham Carter as their mother Eudoria) at National Trust places.
Surrounded by Shropshire countryside, and with a fine stone building and grand courtyard entrance, Benthall Hall was chosen as the filming location for the exterior of ‘Ferndell’, – the Holmes family estate. However, a lot of work was needed to make this well-cared for historic place look wild and unkempt for the film.
Along with the return of Sherlock and Mycroft to their family home, this location was also used to film carriage rides through the horse chestnut avenue and through gates behind the church into the front courtyard.
Lying in close proximity to the major London film studios, the woods at Ashridge are no stranger to the silver screen. They’ve been used as a film location for a huge number of productions, from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to Les Misérables. However, Enola Holmes was the first production that called for a temporary treehouse to be built in one of Ashridge’s beech trees.
Fortunately, the local ranger team have plenty of experience when it comes to working with film crews and were on hand throughout the filming process to make sure that the tree and its surroundings were well looked-after.
As well as showing off beautiful locations, filming directly benefits the places that star in the production. The income from location fees goes straight back into conservation work to care for historic houses and landscapes, so that we’ll all be able to see them both on screen and in real life for years to come.
Find out which historic houses and dramatic landscapes you can see on-screen, from popular TV dramas to brand new films.
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Ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows in an area of outstanding natural beauty