Filmmakers have been flocking to Yorkshire for an eternity to take advantage of its natural beauty, so it’s no surprise that producers found the perfect backdrop in the North York Moors (where the novel is set) for the brand new reboot of The Secret Garden. Starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters, the highly anticipated movie is officially available to stream on NowTV now, so to celebrate its release, we’ve rounded up the Yorkshire filming locations that created the magical backdrop for the film.
Helmsley Walled Gardens
Helmsley Walled Gardens is the backdrop to the titular Secret Garden in the movies, providing beautiful colours and a whimsical atmosphere to bring the fictional Garden to life.
Duncombe Park
You’ll see the Duncombe Park estate featured in the movie as Archibald Craven’s (Colin Firth) Misselthwaite Manor. In the ’93 film, fans may remember it was Allerton Castle, also in Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The heritage railway can be seen in the film in scenes featuring Julie Walters.
Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey was used in both the ’93 adaptation and the latest 2020 film, providing a stunning landscape for a number of shots in the movie.
Rievaulx Moor
Landscape shots around Rievaulx Moor were taken for the movie.
Roman Road, nr Goathland
Roman Road was also used to make up the landscape for the movie.
Speaking of the production to Screen Yorkshire, Rosie Allison – producer of the movie – said: “Yorkshire is the setting for ‘The Secret Garden’, and we were so keen to film there. We could not have been more thrilled with our time in God’s own county! We filmed around the North York Moors, including the Duncombe Park estate, Helmsley Walled Garden, Rievaulx moor, the Roman Road near Goathland, and the North York Moors heritage railway. We also spent a memorable day at Fountains Abbey.”
Adding: “The beauty of the locations is just breathtaking – and we were blessed with 10 days of continuous spring sunshine during our shoot there. This is my third time filming around the North York Moors (I was also there for ‘The Thirteenth Tale’ and ‘Testament of Youth’) and I just keep coming back for the glory of the landscapes and the architecture.”
June Tainsh of Helmsley Walled Gardens said of the movie: “We are thrilled to be a location for the latest adaptation of ‘The Secret Garden’. The benefits to health and well-being that the children discover in the film is at the heart of what we do here at the garden.”
The new movie follows the story of Mary Lennox, a neglected 10-year-old girl, who ends up the care of uncle Archibald Craven, whose wife has recently died in the garden – which he locks up tight as a result. The film is based on the classic 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The movie is available to stream with NowTV now and is in selected cinemas nationwide.
[Featured image: STX Films]
Read more: 7 Wonderful Yorkshire Castles That Are Perfect For An Adventure
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