by Anna Hann
posted on 14 October 2025
Autumn has arrived in golden splendour. The mornings are crisp, and the roads, winding and tree-lined, beckon forth with the promise of romance and adventure. What better season for a most elegant escape, inspired by the pages and screens of beloved tales? You will, of course, require your own carriage — nay, a motor car — that shall whisk you to such enchanted destinations.
Call in at the Duke of Hastings’ estate
Wilton House, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, is a Palladian masterpiece whose gilded chambers and sweeping lawns stood in as the Duke of Hastings’ estate in Bridgerton. More than one glittering ballroom of scandal and intrigue was filmed here, making it a must for those who long to promenade through Lady Whistledown’s world. The house also played a starring role in The Crown, where its staterooms doubled as Buckingham Palace.
A Jane Austen jaunt to Bath
If one wishes to follow in the footsteps of where Miss Austen herself once wandered, there is no finer place than Bath. The cobbled crescents and grand Assembly Rooms seem made for a promenade worthy of a period drama close-up. The Jane Austen Centre offers exhibitions, characters in costume, and a delightful Regency tearoom — a fitting stop for any admirer. A hired motor-carriage (with far more comfort than the horse-drawn sort) shall ensure arrival in utmost style.
Take tea with the Crawleys at Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle, the true seat of Downton Abbey, rises from the Hampshire landscape with turrets, tapestries, and an air of dramatic expectations. Though the saga is drawing to a close on screen, the castle continues to welcome visitors eager to step into the world of Lady Mary, Lord Grantham, and their illustrious household. Grand state rooms, Egyptian artefacts, and sweeping grounds await discovery.
A cinematic journey to Castle Howard
In Yorkshire, Castle Howard has played host to Bridgerton balls and a lineage of other fine productions. Its baroque façade, sprawling gardens, and mirrored lakes invite both grandeur and reflection. A day trip across the moors, ending in such magnificence, ensures a finale as sweeping as any closing chapter.
A stately interlude at Waddesdon Manor
In Buckinghamshire, Waddesdon Manor enchants with French Renaissance-style architecture, ornate interiors, and manicured parterres that could easily stage a royal arrival. Featured in both Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte, it offers art collections, ornamental gardens, and seasonal displays. Pause for tea in the Manor Restaurant and linger in the aviary for a whimsical flourish to the day.
Your carriage awaits
Though heroines of centuries past relied upon horse-drawn conveyances, today’s traveller may relish a carriage of rather more comfort. Be it a nimble motorcar for winding lanes, or a stately saloon for journeys long and languid, the right hire shall see every mile unfold with no small measure of delight.
