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We’re heading back to Rutshire! The hit Disney+ show Rivals is back on our screens for its second series on the 15th of May! Based on the best-selling books by the late Dame Jilly Cooper, Rivals took both the nation and the staycation industry by storm.
In October 2024, upon the release of the beloved first series, searches for Rivals filming locations peaked with around 9,900 searches in the UK. Our analysis shows that Sykes saw a 13.7% YoY increase in bookings for holidays in the Cotswolds in the same month. This increase is 2 percentage points above average growth across all regions, suggesting that Rivals is the latest show in a long line of those fuelling the ‘set-jetting’ trend influencing UK travel.
Our latest Staycation Index confirm this, with Rivals coming in as the 10th most popular film or TV show that’s influencing travel. Our research also found that 15% of Brits are inspired by locations spotted on TV shows and films when choosing a staycation destination.
To celebrate the success of the show and the rise of the set-jetting trend, we’ve collated some of the most iconic Rivals filming locations, as well as a list of amazing Cotswolds properties where you can live out your Rupert and Taggie dreams in one of the most beautiful places in the UK.
Ready to uncover key Rivals filming locations and find your next dreamy Cotswolds getaway? Then read on…
Rupert Campbell-Black’s house in Rivals is actually filmed at Ammerdown House in Somerset.
Yes! Chavenage House in Gloucestershire was also Trenwith in Poldark but is The Priory in Rivals. Aidan Turner coincidentally, is the lead in both shows.
Although Rutshire isn’t actually a real place, Rivals was filmed across the Cotswolds, including counties such as Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Read on to learn about where Rivals was filmed specifically.
Rivals is filmed in multiple houses across the Cotswolds. However, Declan O’Hara, one of the lead characters’ houses is actually Chavenage House in Gloucestershire.
Rivals is filmed in multiple locations across Bristol including the Harbour Hotel, The Cosy Club and Bottle Yard Studios. Read on to learn more about where Rivals was filmed in Bristol specifically.
Covering the majority of the Cotswolds, it’s not surprising that most of the key Rivals filming locations are in this breathtaking county. Offering picturesque countryside, thriving cities and the quintessential honey-coloured villages that the Cotswolds is best known for, Gloucestershire is a must-visit region for those looking for a Rivals-themed getaway.
One of the main filming locations in Rivals, Declan O’Hara’s home The Priory is the base of many of the show’s most iconic scenes. From the family moving in during the first episode to the memorable 21st birthday/New Year’s Eve party, people are understandably keen to know where these scenes were filmed.
Known as The Priory in the show, the location is actually the idyllic Chavenage House in Tetbury. Eagled-eyed TV fans might recognise the house as one of the key Poldark filming locations, which famously also features Aidan Turner as the lead.
You can visit the house by reservation only and subject to availability, due to filming commitments. However, if you’re looking for a getaway inspired by The Priory, then we’ve got you covered. We’ve searched through over 750 properties in the Cotswolds and have found the perfect alternative for an unforgettable getaway.
Sleeping four guests in two bedrooms with one bathroom, this fantastic apartment set in Haslington House oozes Rivals vibes and Cotswolds charm. Surrounded by wildflowers and offering far-reaching views across the countryside, this holiday home in Malvern, Worcestershire is the perfect place for a getaway.
Making a dramatic appearance in episode one of Rivals, Cameron Cook is brought in as an American producer tasked with improving Corinium, Tony Baddingham’s TV company. With memorable scenes throughout the show and the explosive end-of-series cliffhanger, her story is key, meaning we often get a glimpse her glamorous home, Hamilton Terrace.
Tucked away in the Cotswold town of Tetbury, this Rivals filming location is actually Berkeley House at 16 The Chipping. This impressive whitewashed house is seen frequently throughout the first series and is sure to feature in series two.
Our destination dupe for this Rivals filming location is the breathtaking Cotswold House in Moreton-in-Marsh. Sleeping ten guests in five fantastic bedrooms, this sleek holiday home, although missing the white exterior of Cameron’s house, boasts the honey-coloured stone that the Cotswolds is famous for. With a cosy interior kitted out with woodburning stove, spacious garden and covered outdoor seating we’re sure Cameron Cook would give this property her stamp of approval.
Both Bristol and Somerset feature heavily throughout series one of Rivals, with memorable locations being used for key scenes. With a natural airy of whimsy, rolling countryside and historic villages, it’s easy to see why Somerset was used as one of the key Rivals filming locations.
Like Gloucestershire, the county is home to countless charming villages perfect for selling the atmosphere of Cooper’s novels. Whereas the bustling city of Bristol is perfect for some of the show’s more lively sequences and scenes meant to be filmed outside of the blissful Rutshire bubble.
The first Rivals filming location in Somerset is a bit of a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. Only featured very briefly in the series, despite being the home of one of the main characters, Penscombe Court is actually the impressive Ammerdown House in Somerset.
Rupert Campbell-Black’s sprawling estate lives up to all the stately Cotswolds stereotypes and echoes our first impressions of the character; grand, showy and a little obnoxious. Currently not open to the public, this stately home lies on the outskirts of Kilmersdon, a small village on the edge of the Mendip Hills.
Although you can’t currently visit the beautiful Ammerdown House, you could instead live out your Rivals fantasy at Hammonds Farmhouse. This wonderous property is perched on the edge of Stroud and sleeps sixteen guests in eight bedrooms with seven bathrooms. With characterful features including tall, honey-coloured chimneys, exposed beams and woodburning stoves, an unforgettable Cotswold family holiday could be on the cards.
Despite closing in 2020, The Battleaxes Pub in Wraxall, Somerset, was a key filming location during series one. Lead actor Aidan Turner revealed that the pub, dating back to 1882, was used multiple times. Even though you can’t visit the set now, you could book a memorable getaway in one of these pubs-turned holiday homes.
If, like me, Lizzie and Freddie’s love story is your favourite in the show, then this next Rivals filming location might be of interest. Cranmore Station in Somerset is the setting for the scene where Lizzie, played by Katherine Parkinson, catches the train. This epic scene marks the start of her love affair with Danny Dyer’s character Freddie.
Standing in as an out-of-the-Cotswolds filming location, the Harbour Hotel in Bristol is the setting of the award ceremony in series one. Nestled in the heart of Bristol’s city centre, visitors to the hotel will be within reach of must-visit attractions including Cabot Tower which offers expansive views across the city, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Bristol Aquarium.
The show’s first episode opens on a Concorde, a supersonic airliner which places us firmly in the 80s when the show is set. This filming location doesn’t take place in the sky but actually on the outskirts of Bristol at Aerospace Bristol. This museum had a plethora of air and space exhibits including the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot which was used as a filming location in Rivals.
The museum offers after-hours tours of this magnificent piece of history. Look forward to a welcome glass of fizz, tour of the Concorde and a chance to experience the unforgettable Concorde flight deck simulator.
Covering the southern part of the Cotswolds, Wiltshire is full of stately homes and cobbled villages with chocolate-box cottages that are so commonly associated with this region and the Rutshire aesthetic Cooper was trying to weave through her novels. Grounded in history, the region is full of bucket-list attractions including Longleat Safari Park, Stonehenge and the magnificent remaining eight white horses carved into hills.
With this history and a spectacular choice of stately homes as filming bases, we’re not surprised that Wiltshire, one of the most beautiful places in the UK, was chosen as one of the series’ filming locations.
Tucked away in Neston, just south of Corsham, Neston Park is a beautiful English country house with a vivid history. The current house dates back to 1790, but the estate has existed since the 15th century. Today the estate is best known as a filming location for key dramas including Poldark, Persuasion and Lark Rise to Candleford.
However, Rivals fans will recognise it as the home of the show’s big bad, aptly named Tony Baddingham. This media mogul is the show’s main antagonist, although this doesn’t take away from the beauty of his fictional home.
Unfortunately, this home isn’t open to the public as it’s still a functioning estate. But, if you’re looking for somewhere just as impressive, Batheaston House in Somerset is a close second.
This opulent holiday home is spread over four floors and sleeps twelve guests in six bedrooms with four bathrooms. With a grand exterior, huge windows and 1.15 acres of land, it’s sure to be a memorable choice. Inside, Tudor features are laced throughout including a rare charcoal stove, a well and exposed beams. If you’re looking for something special, this luxury Cotswold accommodation is the perfect fit!
If you’re looking to visit Cotschester, then you’ll be disheartened to learn that it doesn’t actually exist. However, there is a good consolation prize! This drama-packed village is inspired by countless Cotswolds towns and villages including some that we’ve already mentioned in this list.
However, the main village scenes were filmed in the town of Corsham just outside the Cotswolds. This historic market town had its very own 80s makeover to keep in style with the show’s setting. Although these elements won’t be visible on your visit, there’s plenty more to keep you occupied.
Pay a visit to the fantastic Corsham Court, which dates back to the 16th century or head over to the idyllic village of Lacock which is famed for being a key Harry Potter filming location. The spa city of Bath is also within reach of Corsham, ideal for those looking for one of the UK’s best city breaks.
Whether you’re looking to get your Rivals fix before the latest series airs or like I’ll probably do, you’ve binged the entire new series in one sitting and are left wanting more, then a holiday to the Cotswolds just might be on the cards.
Immerse yourself in the towns and villages that inspired these novels and perhaps even pay a visit to one or two of the key Rivals filming locations we’ve mentioned above.
To get your Rivals getaway started, we’ve collated a number of properties that, in our opinion, look like they could be featured in the latest series. Taggie famously said “Exciting things are going to happen to us in a place like this”, and we couldn’t agree more. The Cotswolds is without a doubt one of the UK’s best holiday destinations and is waiting to be explored!
Book your Rivals-themed getaway now..
Looking for more detail on these fantastic filming locations? Then we’ve got you covered, explore our handy map which shows the location and which set corresponds to which on-screen location…
Search data referenced in this article was sourced from Google Keyword Planner, focusing on Rivals filming location‑related search terms during October 2024, the month series one of Rivals was released.
Booking insights were drawn from Sykes Holiday Cottages’ internal booking data, comparing Cotswolds bookings year‑on‑year between 2023 and 2024 for the same period. To provide wider context, average year‑on‑year booking growth across all regions was also calculated, allowing Cotswolds performance to be benchmarked against overall trends.
Additional insight was taken from the 2025 Sykes Staycation Index, which surveyed 1,000 UK adults in April 2025 to understand the factors influencing staycation choices, including the impact of TV and film on travel inspiration.
All data is used to indicate correlation rather than direct causation, helping to illustrate broader patterns in TV‑led travel interest and demand.
If our guide to Rivals filming locations has inspired you to try out the set-jetting trend then there’s plenty of accommodation in the Cotswolds for you to choose from! You can also check out our Cotswold travel guide for more inspiration on what to do during your getaway.
Hi, I'm Steph and I've spent the past three years uncovering the best places and hidden gems that make the UK so special. Writing ...
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