Film & Photography Location
About the Location
The 2,500 acre Penshurst Place Estate in Kent offers a wide range of beautiful locations for TV, film and stills photography. The list of possible locations is endless, from the limestone exteriors and beautiful medieval interiors of the House itself to the 11 acre Gardens and parkland beyond.
The State Rooms include The West Solar, Long Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Room, Tapestry Room, Panelled Room, Crypt and Nether Gallery. The Baron's Hall, built in 1341, is a fine example of medieval gothic architecture, with its 60ft high chestnut-beamed roof and a log fire piled in the central hearth. It has been described as "one of the grandest rooms in the world" and used for many a Royal Feast. The Hall is flanked on either side by vast 20ft-long trestle tables. Rooms available for private functions can also be used for filming include the 14th century Sunderland Room (East Solar), which is panelled and furnished with paintings and antiques of the period. The smaller Buttery has two fine tapestries hanging from the stone walls.
The Formal Walled Gardens, in the Baroque style, are another of Penshurst's treasures. A network of trimmed yew hedges and flower terraces make up an 11 acre patchwork of individual garden rooms which reflect the changing fashions of garden design. Features include a large Italian parterre, fountains, lily ponds, sundials, and orchards; all enclosed within the old walls.
Other facilities close to the House include a fully equipped catering kitchen, event fields, 2, 500 acres of ancient parkland and estate with lakes, estate properties, a Woodland Trail, Toy Museum and Gift Shop.
See our Photo Gallery for images of the location.
Previous Productions
2023: Paitning Birds With Jim and Nancy (Sky Arts)
2022: Renegade Nell (Disney Plus)
2021: The Boleyns: A Very Scandalous Family (BBC 1)
2017: Mary Queen of Scots (Clandestine Films)
Plus Wolf Hall, The Hollow Crown, The Princess Bride, Anne of A Thousand Days, regular smaller shoots and several corporate photo shoots.
Availability & Permissions
The House and Gardens are open to the public at certain times of the day during our visitor season. We may consider requests to close the property if required. We are also hired out for weddings which are contractually exclusive hire – held mostly at weekends. For permissions, to arrange a recce and to check availability, please contact our marketing department, here.
Location Fees
Due to the nature of the fabric of the building there are normally charges for any filming and photography. Please contact the marketing department for current location fees.
Insurance & Contracts
We require a minimum of £10m Public liability insurance. A copy of which must be supplied before commencement of filming or photography. We have strict insurer-led guidelines on lighting and fire watch requirements which will be supplied before filming commences.
A copy of our contract will be supplied in advance, to be counter signed by a salaried member of staff before filming or photography commences. Any location agreements your company wishes us to sign must be supplied in advance to review.