Film Location
The stunning house, which over the centuries has been sympathetically converted from its monastic origins in 1141 to its present day use as a family home, and the beautifully maintained gardens, make Forde Abbey an ideal location for filming.
Far From The Madding Crowd
Forde Abbey most recently featured in ‘Far From the Madding Crowd,’ with the Great Hall appearing as the Corn Exchange, in the pivotal scene where Bathsheba first meets Mr Boldwood. Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen, along with almost one hundred extras, the crew and numerous support vehicles, spent three days at Forde Abbey. The film, as well as Forde Abbey’s starring role, have both received glowing reviews!
Other credits include:
Restoration (Miramax)
Forde Abbey, as well as other local film locations, was used in the making of this period film set in the court of Charles II starring Robert Downey Jnr, Meg Ryan, Sam Neil, Sir Ian McKellan and Hugh Grant.
Daniel Deronda (BBC)
In 2002 the BBC came to Forde Abbey to film parts of the television adaptation of George Elliot’s last novel, Daniel Deroda. Forde became the home of Daniel and Sir Mallinger. Filming took place over a week and, despite the July temperatures, Christmas was celebrated complete with Christmas tree and snow!
The German television company ZDF have also used Forde Abbey for their series of dramas based on the novels of Rosemunde Pilcher. Rosemunde was awarded an OBE in 2002, together with a British Tourism Award, for the positive effect her books and television films have had on tourism in the South West. A number of films based on her books, whose story setting is Cornwall, were in fact filmed elsewhere – including Forde Abbey.
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