UK Historic Homes Brace For Booking Boom Following New Bridgerton Season

Historic homes in the UK are preparing for a surge in bookings as the new season of Bridgerton premieres on Netflix. Data from Storied Collection, a premier collection of privately owned historic castles and estates available for exclusive use, tracked the impact of the second season on reservations. Nearly every property experienced an increase in web traffic, enquiries, and bookings, with some seeing up to a 300% rise.

The Earl of Derby, owner of the historic Grade II Knowsley Hall, commented, "Whether it's Downton Abbey, The Crown or Bridgerton, every time one of these series lands, the phone starts ringing and the emails start pinging. The last series of Bridgerton gave us a welcome boost post-COVID and we look forward to seeing what season three brings. My prediction is, with travel restrictions gone, and so many cultural and ancestral links to the UK, this time the U.S. will catch fire with enquiries and bookings."

Michael Goldin, COO of Storied Collection, which offers 17 privately hired historic castles and estates across the UK and Ireland, said, "The show has a phenomenal impact on the estates and families we work with. We work with Earls, Lords, Ladys and Viscounts just like in the show, and as soon as an episode airs, the ‘Bridgerton Bounce’ begins. Viewers start to daydream mid-show; people start to wonder if there is a castle or historic home out there for their family get-together and the digital traffic rockets."

Goldin added, "Our analysis shows the series has a real impact on people wanting to look, find and book historic houses rich in British history and culture. We are expecting North American demand on our website alone to double as the show dominates the next few months on Netflix. History is sexy and it sells."

Properties within the Storied Collection are no strangers to the limelight themselves. Dabton House in Scotland was also a backdrop to the popular series Outlander; the House of the Northern Gate in Scotland, which was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II and a younger King Charles III, featured in The Crown; Gilmerton House in Scotland has hosted celebrities such as the Beckhams and Jimmy Choo; and Mapperton House in England has appeared alongside Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow for Emma and Robert Downey Jr. for Restoration.

To complete the Bridgerton circle, Dabton House is owned by a Duke; Knowsley Hall is owned by an Earl; Carlton Towers is owned by a Lord; Gilmerton House is owned by a Sir; and Mapperton House is owned by a Viscount. All are available for exclusive private hire for family or friend celebrations, film or magazine shoot locations, as well as corporate retreats.

The impact of popular TV series on historic properties highlights an interesting trend where cultural productions drive tourism and interest in heritage sites. As viewers become more engaged with these shows, they seek to experience these historical settings firsthand.