Maps of Movies

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Where Shakespeare in Love says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A film about London's theatres that was mostly filmed outside London: a castle in Oxfordshire, a country house in Hertfordshire and a beach in Norfolk.

Scenes and places

Auditions at the Rose (1593)

Shakespeare is stuck on a new comedy while Henslowe, deep in debt, starts auditions anyway. A young 'Thomas Kent' wins Shakespeare's attention with a speech, then runs when he asks questions.

Set in The Rose theatre, Bankside — The theatre where Shakespeare writes for Henslowe and where Viola, disguised as a boy, auditions. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The Rose was a real Elizabethan playhouse on Bankside, south of the Thames.

The ball and the balcony (1593)

Shakespeare slips into a ball and dances with Viola, struck speechless. Later he finds her on her balcony, where they admit the attraction before her nurse sends him running.

Set in The de Lesseps house — The wealthy merchant's house where Viola's betrothal is arranged.

The film's mansion is an Oxfordshire castle; the story only places the house in London.

Filmed at Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire — Played the de Lesseps mansion in the film. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The wager before the Queen (1593)

Viola is summoned to court to win approval for her marriage to Wessex, and Shakespeare tags along disguised as her nurse's cousin. In public he gets Wessex to bet £50 that a play can show the true nature of love; the Queen says she will judge it.

Set in The Queen's court — Where Viola's marriage to Wessex needs royal approval and a £50 wager is made.

The film shows the court only through its fireworks and halls; no real palace is named in the sources used.

Filmed at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire — Filmed here for the fireworks scene only. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Pub after the brawl (1593)

After winning the fight with Burbage's men, the Rose players celebrate. A drunken Henslowe lets slip to Viola that Shakespeare is married, though separated from his wife.

Set in The pub — Where the Rose players celebrate after fighting off Burbage's men.

No filming location for the pub appears in the sources used.

Marlowe's death and the church (1593)

News arrives that Marlowe is dead, and each lover fears the other is the victim. Shakespeare turns up at Viola's church, easing her fear and terrifying Wessex, who thinks he sees a ghost.

Set in Viola's church — Where Viola prays after news of Marlowe's death.

The sources name no real church for this scene.

A play at the Curtain (1593)

With the Rose closed and Viola's secret out, Burbage offers his Curtain theatre. Shakespeare takes the role of Romeo himself and Viola runs to the theatre on the day of the performance.

Set in The Curtain theatre — The rival theatre Burbage lends when the Rose is closed. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The real Curtain Theatre stood in Shoreditch, north of the City.

The beach (1593)

The film's last scenes play out on a wide, empty beach.

Set in A far shore — A shoreline in the closing scenes; the story gives no named place.

A long sandy beach on the Norfolk coast.

Filmed at Holkham Beach, Norfolk — Where the final scenes were filmed; the point shown is the nature reserve, not a surveyed spot on the beach. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Eton College Chapel, Berkshire — Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Middle Temple Hall, London — Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• William Shakespeare — A young playwright in 1593 London with writer's block and a theatre owner's debts to cover.
• Viola de Lesseps — A wealthy merchant's daughter who loves the theatre and disguises herself as a boy to audition.

Questions answered on the map

• Where was the de Lesseps mansion in Shakespeare in Love really filmed?
• Which English country house hosted the fireworks scene in Shakespeare in Love?