Special locations are 'holy grail' for film makers

As some classic films are made and remade, location scouts face a constant challenge to find fresh filming locations.

So was the case with the 2026 version of the Jane Austen classic Sense and Sensibility which was previously shot in south-west England in 1995.

"The holy grail of location-finding is something new, that hasn't been seen before, and is very special, explains Eddy Pearce from location specialist The Westcountry Set.

Pearce said he discovered just that special place right on his doorstep when he came across Kingston Russell, a private home tucked away in west Dorset.

The house doubles as the family estate Norland, which Elinor Dashwood and her sisters are forced to leave when their half-brother inherits it from their father.

The film's creators favoured the location as it had not featured in a film before, while the director also liked its weathered facade.

In the 1995 version of the film, Saltram House at Plympton in Devon was used for Norland, prompting decades of film tourism at the National Trust property.

Kingston Russell owner Sam Carter and his family moved out of the property to allow the film crew full access.

"It's the first time I've ever been on a big budget film set," said Carter. It was amazing to witness."

The estate is now running special tours for Jane Austen fans.

Parnham Park's lake in nearby Beaminster was also part of the film. The location is used to explore Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrers' burgeoning relationship.

Kingston Russell is among several location in south-west England given a starring role in the new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.

Dartmoor, Mothecombe and a second country home in West Dorset also feature.

The locations were chosen for their raw natural beauty, mirroring the changes in financial situation of the Dashwood women, as they navigate the societal constraints of the Georgian marriage market, in their pursuit of love.

But while some new locations are used, the 2026 film also features some old favourites.

It is the second time Mothecombe beach in South Devon has been used to portray Barton Beach in the Jane Austen story.

The beach is part of the Flete Estate which also acted as a film set for the version directed by Ang Lee, starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Greg Wise and Hugh Grant.

The 1995 film also made use of Efford House with its view down to the water and the drive below. The property is now used as a holiday let.

The estate's current owner, John Mildmay-White, said: "This was 31 years ago and in terms of the estate, its been a real big driver for tourism here."

"We get people still coming now from around the UK and even from America to stay where Sense and Sensibility was filmed."

Audiences might recognise some other Devon places in the film, including Ditsworthy Warren House on Dartmoor which was also used by Steven Spielberg for Warhorse.

The Sense and Sensibility team were attracted to the area's remoteness and beauty, but a lot of work was needed to transform the roof and inside of the derelict cottage and garden into the Dashwood's home.

Production designer Francesca Di Mottola said she felt inspired by the moors and said it was a "fantastic location to work with" and it was like "working in a painting".

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She added the weather also brought its challenges during the four-week set construction.

"We had days of extreme heat when our construction team were on the roof so that was a struggle and then there were days when we could only work inside because it was so stormy."

Lee Morgan from the Devon Film Office said Sense and Sensibility dug deep into an "emotional use of landscape."

He added that big productions were an opportunity "to show the county off to its best".