Wolf Hall, the well-reviewed BBC historical drama, is based on Hilary Mantel’s books Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. As part of a trilogy—these books look at the life of Thomas Cromwell, who was very important in Henry VIII’s court. There was a lot of praise for how accurately the show showed Tudor England, thanks to its great cast. Mark Rylance played Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis played Henry VIII. The beautiful filming locations really take viewers back in time and are one of the things that makes the show—stand out.
Some of the most beautiful and historically important places in the UK were used to film Wolf Hall. The settings add to the drama and Realism of the story. From grand castles to eerie cathedrals, the places where the show was filmed are just as interesting as the drama itself.
Wolf Hall’s Story
Wolf Hall is a story about Thomas Cromwell’s meteoric rise to power and eventual fall from power. Cromwell’s story starts with him being a poor lawyer and takes place in Henry VIII’s court, where politics are always a mess.
In Season 1, Cromwell is introduced as Cardinal Wolsey’s loyal servant. Wolsey’s downfall comes from not being able to get Henry’s first marriage annulled. Cromwell’s cleverness and resourcefulness earn him the king’s favor and put him at the top of the political ladder. Anne Boleyn’s dramatic execution at the end of the season marks a turning point in Cromwell’s career.
Based on The Mirror and the Light—Season 2 follows Cromwell’s continued rise as he deals with Henry’s marriages to Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves. But his luck eventually runs out—which leads to his tragic downfall and death. The show does a great job of weaving together personal problems with big historical events, giving us a very human look at one of history’s most mysterious figures.
Where was ‘Wolf Hall’ filmed?
Wolf Hall took a long time to film. Season 1 was shot from May to July 2014, and Season 2 was shot from November 2023 to April 2024. To show what Tudor England was really like, the production used 28 locations, most of them in the southwest of England. Let’s take our time and visit these places one at a time.
1. Forde Abbey in Dorset
Forde Abbey, a historic estate that dates back to the 1100s, was used for many different types of movies. Its cloisters were turned into halls where King Henry VIII got ready for his wedding to Jane Seymour. The Great Hall was turned into the king’s throne room, and Margaret Pole’s house was shown in the kitchen garden and drawing room.
2. Wells, South Somerset
Many of the show’s street scenes took place in the medieval streets of Wells. Wells Cathedral was a highlight because it gave the production team access that no one else could. The scenes seemed more real because the cathedral library had books that were more than 400 years old.
3. Great Chalfield Manor in Wiltshire
The Cromwell family lived in this Tudor manor with a moat. It was built between 1465 and 1480 and shows how important a successful merchant like Cromwell was. People can look around the whole house, including the bedrooms, garden, and courtyard that were used in the show.
4. Kent’s Penshurst Place
Penshurst Place was also Whitehall, the home of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. The Long Gallery stood out because it captured the grandeur of Tudor architecture. The gallery’s long, fancy hallways made it possible to show large groups of people dressed in period clothes.
5. Chastleton House, Oxfordshire
Chastleton’s interiors were used to show Wolf Hall, which is the home of — the Seymour family. Its small stone courtyard was where Cromwell had a traumatic fight with his father when he was young. Producer Mark Pybus said that the property had a “shabby” look, which was meant to represent the Seymours’ lowly beginnings.
6. The castle at Dover in Kent
With its medieval style, Dover Castle was used to show the Tower of London. The scenes of Anne Boleyn’s execution were filmed here—without any modern elements that might have taken away from the historical setting.
7. The house in Montacute, Somerset
This property owned by the National Trust stood in for Greenwich Palace. Its huge size and complicated design showed how grand Henry VIII’s court was. The richness of the time was shown by the wide staircases and Big windows.
8. Broughton Castle and Berkeley Castle
These two old castles added a sense of realism to the series. The fact that the same family had owned them for a long time gave the scenes a sense of lived-in history. People can visit these estates and get a feel for life in the Tudor era.
9. The London Palace of Hampton Court
Wolf Hall was able to film in the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace for the first time. Director Peter Kosminsky talked about how moving it was to film in places where Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, and Cromwell used to walk. The famous tapestries that were hanging on the walls made the room look even more beautiful.
10. The court in Barrington, Somerset
This Tudor manor house was used for many scenes inside. Its reclaimed wood paneling and open layout gave it a classic feel that was perfect for the show.
Is Wolf Hall worth watching?
Of course. This period drama, Wolf Hall is very well put together and has beautiful settings—great acting and great stories. Fans of historical dramas will love this show because it pays close attention to historical details and shows characters in complex ways. The settings make the experience even better by making viewers feel like, they’ve stepped into the tough world of —Tudor England.
Wolf Hall is a rich and rewarding show to watch that stays with you long after the credits roll. Whether you’re interested in the political intrigue, the historical detail, or the dramatic performances, you’ll enjoy it. This show not only brings history to life, but it also shows how the characters struggle in their personal and political lives. History buffs and drama fans alike should watch it.
See More: Where is the firehouse from Backdraft? (1991) – All Filming Locations
