Chalfield manor

Great Chalfield Manor near Melksham in Wiltshire.

Have you watched Poldark? If so, you'll easily recognise Great Chalfield Manor, as it served as a film set for scenes from the series. When I visit various estates, I base my choices on the purely photogenic locations, but I don't give much thought to the fact that these places may also appeal to the directors and cinematographers of popular films and TV series. I usually find out at the very last minute that a super-popular film is being shot at the estate or palace I'm visiting.

In the second of two articles, Clive Aslet reveals how Great Chalfield Manor was loved back to life by an Edwardian engineer and his scholarly architect.

In the second of two articles, Clive Aslet reveals how Great Chalfield Manor was loved back to life by an Edwardian engineer and his scholarly architect.

Poldark fans will know this as the fictional Killewarren, home of the Penvenen family, inherited by Caroline, now married to Dr. Enys. It's typically shown from the front, but there are scenes in the current series shot here in the back garden. The estate is actually more than 150 miles from Bodmin, Cornwall. It's an interesting property with a very nice garden and well worth a visit.

A new season is starting here in the UK in June. Great Chalfield Manor is the fictional Killewarren, home of Ray Penvenen, played by John Nettles. Great Chalfield has been described as "one of the most perfect examples of the late medieval English manor house". It was built around 1465–1480.

Katy Campbell House Hunter on Instagram: “Great Charfield Manor rising from the reeds. #idealhome #manor #countryhouse #fifteenthcentury #architecture #manorhouse #cotswolds…”

It is hard to find a more delightful example of a medieval manor house than Great Chalfield Manor, surrounded by its seven acres of splendid Arts and Crafts gardens.

Courtyard garden, Great Chalfield Manor, Melksham, Wiltshire