Directed by the same team behind the celebrated Pride and Prejudice, the new Sense and Sensibility is one of the most anticipated films of the year.
As one of the most notable works in English literature, Sense and Sensibility has been adapted for the screen several times, bringing the story of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood to life. Many will remember the glorious cast of Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant in the 1995 film, which captured the public’s heart and set a high standard for future versions. George MacKay and Daisy Edgar-Jones lead the new Sense and Sensibility, one of the most anticipated films of the year, directed by the same team behind the celebrated Pride and Prejudice.
Although the plot is hardly a novelty, director Georgia Oakley retells the story of the Dashwood family. Having lived a comfortable life, the sisters are suddenly left without financial security following their father’s death, forcing them to relocate to a modest cottage in Devonshire. Jane Austen perfectly crafted these complex female characters as they struggle to overcome grief, poverty, and the pressures of a patriarchal society in which women were often relegated to the margins. Alongside the love stories that so often characterised Austen’s works and contributed to their enduring success, Sense and Sensibility offers a poignant analysis of hierarchical English society.
Kingston Russell House, Dorset
Photo by @cinemackayBefore Henry Dashwood’s death, the family lived happily at Norland Park, an estate supposedly located in Sussex which had belonged to their lineage for generations. The estate passed to his son from his first marriage, forcing the women to move to a small house which did not exactly match the romantic ideal.
Norland Park was actually filmed at Kingston Russell House, a manor near the village of Long Breda in West Dorset which dates from the seventeenth century. Surrounded by beautiful green spaces and endowed with luxurious interiors, the mansion is one of the county’s most remarkable but lesser known country houses. It is principally associated with the Michel family, who remodeled the western façade in the early eighteenth century to give it its more formal Georgian appearance.
Parnham Park, Dorset
Photo by @cinediaries.mp4Kingston Russell is unfortunately not open to the public. However, the most romantic admirers of Sense and Sensibility can visit the lake where Elinor and Edward share a tender moment, throwing stones into the water.
Set within beautiful gardens and woodland, Parnham is one of Dorset’s oldest and most important houses. Its character has been carefully preserved through creative restoration, exceptional craftsmanship, and a strong sense of community. Within the walled garden lies a charming restaurant showcasing the best of British produce from land and sea, with seasonal ingredients perfectly complementing the vibrant surroundings.
Knebworth House, Hertfordshire
Photo by @visitdorsetofficialThe Palmers live at Cleveland House, a spacious and modern Somerset residence with extensive pleasure grounds and a Grecian temple. These scenes were primarily filmed at Knebworth House, a romantic mansion in Hertfordshire with stunning architecture characterized by turrets, domes, and gargoyles silhouetted against the sky.
Ditsworthy Warren House, Devon
Photo by @visitdorsetofficialThe girls relocate to Barton Cottage, a modest building which serves as a constant reminder of their diminished social status. Located on the outskirts of Barton Park, the estate is owned by Sir John and Lady Middleton, who help the sisters settle into the simple rooms of their new home.
These scenes were filmed at Ditsworthy Warren House, a derelict farmhouse on the south-western edge of Dartmoor in Devon, which became a well-known filming location after appearing in Spielberg’s War Horse. This Grade II-listed farmhouse dates from the late eighteenth century and is associated with several ruined outbuildings used to farm rabbits.
Mothecombe Beach, Devon
Photo by @elledecorWhen Marianne trips and sprains her ankle while walking along a rocky beach, the handsome John Willoughby hurries to her aid. This scene was filmed at Mothecombe Beach, a perfect destination for those looking for a quieter corner of South Devon. The beach is large and unspoiled, with fine sand nestled in a sheltered cove and a small freshwater stream running down onto the shore. Thanks to careful maintenance, the surrounding landscape has remained remarkably undeveloped and beautifully preserved.
