Bridgerton season four abandoned the familiar Surrey countryside for something grander: the Dutch Golden Age estates that doubled as Regency England. Five properties across the Netherlands stood in for the glittering drawing rooms and manicured grounds where Colin and Penelope’s romance unfolded, and unlike the show’s previous seasons, these estates are actually open to visitors.
Which estates were used
Huis Doorn near Utrecht served as the Bridgerton family home, a 14th-century castle with 50 rooms and enough period detail that the production team barely needed to dress the sets. The formal gardens alone took three weeks to film. Kasteel de Haar, one of Europe’s largest castles, provided interiors for the ton’s most lavish balls. Its neo-Gothic turrets and hand-painted ceiling tiles were exactly what the costume and set designers were looking for.
Paleis Soestdijk, a former royal residence near Baarn, was used for intimate scenes. The estate sprawls across 75 acres and retains much of its original 18th-century furniture, which saved production designers considerable work. Hersteller Slot Zuylen, a moated manor house outside Utrecht, appeared in several outdoor scenes, while Kasteel Groeneveld near Baarn rounded out the locations with its woodland gardens and neoclassical interiors.
Castle Groeneveld
Visiting the real locations
All five estates accept tourists, though opening hours vary and some require advance booking. Huis Doorn (£12 entry) operates daily except Mondays; expect 90 minutes to cover the house and grounds properly. Kasteel de Haar (£16.50) offers guided tours in Dutch and English, essential for understanding the castle’s 19th-century restoration. Book online to skip queues, especially weekends.
Paleis Soestdijk is trickier. The palace only opens for guided tours on weekends (£15), and groups are capped at 25 people. Slot Zuylen (£10) sits in a quieter corner of Utrecht province and rarely gets crowded. Kasteel Groeneveld (£8) is the smallest and least visited, which makes it the most peaceful option if you’re after the actual Bridgerton atmosphere rather than crowds of fans comparing screenshots.
Practical planning
These estates cluster around Utrecht, about 40 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Rent a car or book a guided tour that hits multiple properties in a day; most run £60 to £100 per person including transport and entry. Spring and early autumn offer the best light for photography and the gardens are properly maintained. Avoid July and August unless you don’t mind trailing behind coach parties.
None of the estates sell themed merchandise or Bridgerton-specific refreshments, which is refreshingly honest. Several have decent cafes serving decent coffee and cake. Plan for a full day if you’re visiting more than two properties; rushing through three castles in four hours is possible but defeats the point.
