Estate to shut over school holidays for Amazon shoot

A historic estate will be closed to visitors for more than a week during school holidays while filming takes place for an Amazon production.

Wrest Park in Bedfordshire will shut on Friday and not reopen until 25 February, covering the half-term period.

Silsoe Parish Council warned residents that fireworks will be used on Sunday and Monday, both in the afternoon and evening, as part of the filming on the undisclosed production.

English Heritage, which looks after the Grade I-listed estate, said: "Filming provides an important additional income stream that directly supports the conservation and long-term protection of places like Wrest Park."

The charity acknowledged that the closure, particularly during the school holidays, was "not an easy choice".

It continued: "Our experience shows that high-profile filming can deliver significant long-term benefits, which help us to ensure that our sites are here for future generations to enjoy."

Residents were notified of the plans in advance, English Heritage added, with extra discussions held with the neighbour living closest to the site due to their animals.

Wrest Park has a reputation as a filming location, previously appearing in Bridgerton, a Lily Allen music video, and 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Amazon currently has several UK‑based projects in production, including a sequel to the romantic comedy Red, White & Royal Blue and a new adaptation of Tomb Raider starring Sophie Turner.

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