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You Can Visit These Houses From Netflix’s "Rebecca"

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

From House Beautiful

The very first line of Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca mentions Manderley, a regal English manor house that proves to be equal parts enticing and daunting, much like the relationship between Maxim de Winter and his second wife, Mrs. de Winter, both of whom call this estate home. For the new Netflix adaptation of the famed novel, a grand total of six different abodes were used to create Manderley, with Hatfield House and Cranborne Manor serving as the main interior and exterior, and Loseley House, Petworth House, Osterley House, and Mapperton House occasionally acting as the interior. And the best part? You can actually visit all of these English estates, because they’re all open to the public! Below, explore the history of these stunning homes, and recreate Manderley by planning a trip to these remarkable properties—but don’t let the spirits of the prior owners ruin your visit.

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

Hatfield House

Without even realizing it, you’ve probably seen Hatfield House too many times to count it on one hand. In addition to its starring role in Rebecca, Hatfield House makes appearances in Enola Holmes, The Favourite, the Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker” music video, The Crown, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Great, Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare in Love, and countless other productions. This home was built in 1611, making it just over 400 years old, and it’s remained in the Cecil family ever since. Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the 7th Marquess of Salisbury, is the current owner of Hatfield House, following in the footsteps of his ancestors over the last few centuries. This particular manor house is an example of Jacobean architecture and it sits on 42 acres of perfectly landscaped gardens. In Rebecca, we see Hatfield House’s black and white checkered floors, Persian rugs aplenty, wood paneled walls, and gilded antique frames and furniture. Hanging above the Gothic hand-carved staircase is a John Singer Sargent painting of Mrs. Hugh Hammersley, which serves as the inspiration for Mrs. de Winter's ball attire.

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

Cranborne Manor

When we first see Manderley, it’s an exterior shot of Armie Hammer and Lily James driving a vintage car with the sight of Cranborne Manor before them. This country house is located in Dorset, a county in the southern part of England. Oddly enough, Cranborne Manor has strong ties to the other main filming location for Rebecca, Hatfield House. In 1608, Cranborne Manor was remodeled for Robert Cecil, the 1st Earl of Salisbury, and just three years later, Hatfield House was built by Robert Cecil himself. Clearly, Cecil had great taste in homes—but the interconnectedness doesn’t end there. Cranborne Manor itself is not open to the public, but its gardens are, which were designed, in part, by Mollie Wyndham-Quin, who later helped restore the Hatfield House gardens.

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

Loseley House, Petworth House, Osterley House, and Mapperton House

The four remaining English manor houses that served as filming locations for Rebecca are: Loseley House, Petworth House, Osterley House, and Mapperton House. As with any house—whether it’s one that’s as grand as these, or not—these properties vary in their style, size, and historical background. And yet, it’s no wonder why these homes were enlisted to help bring Manderley to life—they all encapsulate author Daphne du Maurier’s vision for the now iconic house, which was inspired by her childhood visits to Milton Hall, the largest private house in Cambridgeshire, England. As Maxim de Winter says in Netflix’s Rebecca, “Manderley. It's more than a house—it's my life."

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