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‘Rivals’ has finally returned for series two on Disney+, and we couldn’t be happier. With its eclectic looks, wild twists, and constant drama, this show has us absolutely glued to our screens. From the gripping will-they-won’t-they storylines, to the messy dynamics between the competitors, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
We couldn’t help but notice the stunning locations featured in the Jilly Cooper adaptation, many of which look incredibly familiar. Set in the fictional town of Cotchester, the beautiful backdrops of the Cotswolds and its surrounding areas offer a truly unique aesthetic that feels exactly like stepping back into the 1980s. We’re revealing the secret filming locations used throughout the series and helping you find the perfect Bolthole Retreats base to explore them. We know that historic, timeless architecture was top of the list for producers, but where exactly can you find them in real life?
Chavenage House – Tetbury
Serving as a true focal point of the show is the stunning Chavenage House. Positioned on the outskirts of Tetbury, this remarkable manor house was built in 1576 and features heavily throughout the series as the O’Hara family home.
It’s the ultimate setting for many of the show’s plotlines, providing the backdrop for lavish parties, explosive family conflicts, secret meetings, and a few dramatic interventions. If it looks familiar to period drama fans, that’s because it also famously doubled as Trenwith in Poldark, making this the second major series Aidan Turner has filmed here!
The Market House – Tetbury
Tetbury’s gorgeous Market House makes a brief appearance in the show. With the series’ vintage style and retro colour grading, this iconic yellow town hall looks like it was plucked straight from the 80s. Nearby Long Street and Market Street also feature as the backdrop for the fictional town of Cotchester, completely nailing that “back in time” look.
Berkeley House – Tetbury
Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) is one of the ultimate powerhouses in Rivals, and her home is located right in the heart of Tetbury! Berkeley House is the real-world setting for her property, which goes by the fictional name ‘Hamilton Terrace’ in the show. This gorgeous, bright white Georgian townhouse features large windows and adds a perfect splash of vintage sophistication to the screen.
Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire is a stunning location in the show. The production crew used the grounds to capture shots for the dramatic Rutshire Cup tournament in series two. Beaufort Polo Club was also featured as a location for close up shots of the polo match.
Immerse yourself in the setting of Rivals. Discover our properties in Tetbury >>
Neston Park – Wiltshire
The exquisite Neston Park takes centre stage as The Falconry, the luxurious country home of Tony Badingham (David Tennant). Nestled near the historic market town of Corsham in Wiltshire, the current house dates back to 1790 and stands as a masterclass in classic English architecture. With its sweeping driveway and dramatic views, the estate effortlessly captures the wealth and power of Tony Badingham’s character.
Langley Park – Chippenham
Image Credit: @langleyparkcotswolds/Instagram
Although the series features Neston Park as Tony’s house, the opening pool party at the start of Series 1, Episode 7 was actually filmed at Langley Park in Chippenham! This beautiful Georgian manor is set within 100 acres of woodland and gardens, but it’s the spectacular outdoor pool area that briefly steals the show.
Capture the charm of Rivals. Find your perfect Wiltshire retreat >>
Ammerdown House – Somerset
Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), the ultimate heartthrob of the series, is another character with an incredibly extravagant home. In real life, this spectacular location is Ammerdown House in Kilmersdon, Somerset. Built in 1788, it is another exceptional Grade I listed property featuring beautiful golden-toned stone and breathtaking windows that fit the show’s lavishness perfectly.
East Somerset Railway, Cranmore
The East Somerset Railway in Cranmore is another stunning backdrop used in the series. It’s a location treasured for its historic, old-school charm that looks and feels incredibly retro. This beautiful heritage railway is intertwined with the very start of the love story between Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) and Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), when they share a romantic moment together on the train!
Castlewood, Clevedon
The rivalry between ‘Corinium’ and ‘Venturer’ drives the whole show, and its iconic headquarters is actually Castlewood, a former North Somerset Council building in Clevedon. It’s a major location for the series, welcoming cast members from David Tennant to Emily Atack as they play Corinium’s top bosses and famous presenters.
Step into the world of Rivals and discover a handful of locations featured within the series. Looking for a base? Explore all of our exclusive holiday homes >>
FAQs:
1. Where was the Disney+ series Rivals filmed?
Answer: Rivals was filmed on location across the South West of England, featuring historic manor houses and market towns throughout Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset.
2. Where is Tony Baddingham’s house in Rivals located in real life?
Answer: Tony Baddingham’s grand country estate, ‘The Falconry’, is filmed at Neston Park, a striking 1790 Georgian house located near Corsham in Wiltshire.
3. Can you visit the O’Hara family home from Rivals?
Answer: The O’Hara home is filmed at Chavenage House near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, which is a private Elizabethan manor that occasionally opens to the public for booked tours.
4. Which real Cotswold town doubles as Cotchester in Rivals?
Answer: The historic market town of Tetbury in Gloucestershire doubles as the fictional town of Cotchester, with its iconic yellow Market House making a starring appearance.
5. Where was the opening pool party in Rivals filmed?
Answer: The extravagant outdoor pool party featured at the start of Series 1, Episode 7 was filmed at Langley Park, a beautiful Georgian manor in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
6. Where is Rupert Campbell-Black’s mansion located?
Answer: Rupert Campbell-Black’s extravagant home is filmed at Ammerdown House, a spectacular 1788 Grade I listed property in Kilmersdon, Somerset.
7. Where was the train station scene with Freddie Jones and Lizzie Vereker filmed?
Answer: The romantic, retro train moment between Freddie Jones and Lizzie Vereker was filmed on location at the historic East Somerset Railway in Cranmore.
8. Where is the real Corinium TV Headquarters from Rivals?
Answer: The iconic Corinium TV Headquarters is actually Castlewood, a former North Somerset Council building located in the coastal town of Clevedon.
9. What other famous TV shows were filmed at Chavenage House?
Answer: Before doubling as the O’Hara home in Rivals, Chavenage House famously served as ‘Trenwith’ in the hit BBC period drama Poldark.
10. Where is Cameron Cook’s townhouse in Rivals?
Answer: Cameron Cook’s stylish townhouse is filmed at Berkeley House, a bright white Georgian property located right in the heart of Tetbury.