The Crown Series 5 release date and filming locations

The fifth season of The Crown, with music composed by Martin Phipps, will air on Netflix on Wednesday, November 9. With a new cast including Imelda Staunton as the Queen, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana and Dominic West as Prince Charles, the series will cover the period from the early to mid-1990s.

1. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarchs and the Royal Family. It was Queen Elizabeth II's residence in London and her administrative headquarters.

The Palace is open to the public between July and October. You can visit the State Rooms and the gardens. Outside the visiting periods, the closest you can get is outside the gates.

The monument appears a lot on The Crown, especially the interiors, particularly for the Queen’s meetings with her Prime Ministers. However, Buckingham Palace never welcomed the film crew. It took no less than five mansions, palaces or listed sites scattered around the country to reconstitute Queen Elizabeth's residence, her interiors, her office, her apartments or the Palace courtyard.

How to get to Buckingham Palace?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 11 - Buckingham Palace

Blue route: Hop off at stop 17 - Buckingham Palace

 

2. The Old Royal Naval College

Buckingham Palace’s exterior was recreated in the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Its colonnaded entrance appears several times to represent the court of Buckingham Palace. Scenes showing Churchill visiting The Queen were shot in this place for season 1.

This monument, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1696 and 1712, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It originally housed the Royal Hospital for Seamen and was a training facility for the British Royal Navy between 1873 and 1998. Tours of the Old Royal Naval College are available daily from 10am to 5pm.

 

3. Lancaster House

The interiors of Buckingham Palace in season 4 were recreated in Lancaster House in London. This manor is a neo-classical mansion house commissioned by the Duke of York in 1825 and is located just outside St. James' Palace. It can be visited on the city's annual Open City Day.

How to get to Lancaster House?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 11 - Buckingham Palace

Blue route: Hop off at stop 17 - Buckingham Palace

 

4. Goldsmiths’ Hall

Goldsmiths’ Hall hosts a scene in season 4 when Diana, played by Emma Corrin, is roller-skating through Buckingham Palace.

In season 1, King George had his lung removed. In real life, a room was converted into an operating room in Buckingham Palace but the scene was shot at Goldsmiths’ Hall.

Goldsmiths’ Hall website offers a virtual tour. The monument opens some days each year with guided tours and can be hired as a venue.

How to get to Goldsmiths’ Hall?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 6 - St Paul's Cathedral

 

5. Clarence House

Clarence House, located next to St James Palace (one of the oldest palaces in London, completed in 1536), was the London residence of Lady Di and the Prince of Wales. It was previously the residence of the Queen Mother.

This royal house is open to the public but was not used as a film location. The scenes depicting Clarence House were filmed at High Canons Manor in Borehamwood.

How to get to Clarence House?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 11 - Buckingham Palace

Blue route: Hop off at stop 22- Green Park Station

 

6. 10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street is the official residence and the office of the Prime Minister in London. Anyone can see the famous black door. The interior shots for 10 Downing Street were filmed at Hedsor House.

How to get to 10 Downing Street?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 10 - Westminster Pier

Blue route: Hop off at stop 20 - Horse Guards Parade

 

7. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey in London hosted the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1947. The Ely Cathedral in the city of Ely was chosen for filming the scene of the wedding and the Queen’s coronation.

Westminster Abbey is usually open to visitors from Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Tickets for Westminster Abbey can be purchased online. You can also enjoy free online virtual tours on the website.

Located in the East of England, Ely Cathedral is located at the north of Cambridge. The cathedral opens from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and 1 pm to 3:30pm on Sundays. Tickets for Ely Cathedral can be purchased online.

How to get to Westminster Abbey?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 10 - Westminster Pier

Blue route: Hop off at stop 19 - Parliament Street

 

8. St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral has stood at the highest point of London on Ludgate Hill, for over 1400 years. In season 3, Winston Churchill’s funeral was held at St Paul’s. In season 4, we can see the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Both events were filmed in Winchester Cathedral. This cathedral is located in the city of Winchester in Hampshire, located only 90 minutes from London by train.

St Paul’s Cathedral doors open at 8.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10am on Wednesdays. Last entry for sightseeing is at 4pm. All tickets include entrance to the Cathedral Floor, the Crypt and the Dome Galleries.

How to get to St Paul’s Cathedral?

Yellow route: Hop off at stop 6 - St Paul's Cathedral

 

9. Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was the royal residence for Prince Charles and Diana. Some areas of Kensington Palace are open to the public: the Gardens, the King’s State Apartments and the Queen’s State Apartments.

Kensington Palace was recreated on three different venues for the series: Harefield Grove in Uxbridge (not open to the public), Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire (20 miles north of London) and Somerset Boarding School Wellington College (not open to the public).

How to get to Kensington Palace?

Blue route: Hop off at stop 27 - Kensington Palace

 

10. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle used to be The Queen’s home away from home in the UK. Located just over 25 miles west of London, Windsor can be easily reached by train, bus or car.

Windsor Castle is a working palace so it is subject to last-minute closures. It opens to the public Thursday to Monday between 10am and 5.15pm and closes at 4.15 pm in the Winter. Tickets must be booked in advance.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The chapel is open to visitors Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:15 (last entry 16:00).

For the series, many shots of Windsor Castle were filmed in Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire and Burghley House in Lincolnshire.

 

After all this sightseeing, get some fresh air in one of the many parks in the capital. Check out our top 20 parks in London.