The series is based on the novel of the same name by English writer Evelyn Waugh and tells the story of the life of an English boy, Charles Ryder, and his friendship with the Marchmain family, who lived in Brideshead Castle. Since the plot takes the main character to different parts of the world, filming took place in Italy and the UK. The film crew visited Oxford and Venice, and the Marchmain family estate was Castle Howard, which is often seen in English films and TV series. 

Filming Locations:

Brideshead Estate

In the Film

The scene where Sebastian drives Charles in a car. They stop by the riverbank and see the walls of a luxurious castle. Sebastian says his family lives there. Charles looks admiringly at the palace and says he would like to live there too. The scene takes place in the first episode.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Castle Howard, located in North Yorkshire, England. The palace was the residence of a noble aristocratic family for three hundred years. The building includes 145 richly furnished rooms, surrounded by a park where peacocks roam.

Lord Marchmain's House

In the Film

The scene where Charles and Sebastian arrive in Venice to visit Sebastian's father. Lord Marchmain lives here with his mistress Cara. A servant meets them at the door and informs them that his lordship is absent, having gone to the Lido. The scene takes place in the second episode.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in Venice, at Palazzo Barbaro. Two adjacent palaces belonged to the noble Barbaro family until the mid-19th century. One building was built in 1435 in Gothic style, and the second in 1649, acquiring Baroque features.

Steamship

In the Film

The scene where Charles is on a steamship. He enters a cabin, where his wife Celia is on the phone. She invites her friend to a party. It turns out the friend is Julia Flyte, an old acquaintance of Charles. She is also on the same ship. Scene from the eighth episode.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane hotel in London. The deck scenes were filmed on the ocean liner "Queen Elizabeth 2", while the cabins were transformed into rooms of the five-star hotel. The building has 303 bedrooms, one of which served as the set for the scene.