When Frankenstein assumed control of an elegant mansion

The team at a historic estate used for the latest Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein expressed hope that the film would draw a new audience to explore the heritage site. Burghley House, an Elizabethan mansion near Peterborough on the Cambridgeshire-Lincolnshire border, served as the backdrop for the movies gothic scenes.

Film crews transformed several rooms within the mansion into dark, atmospheric settings for director Guillermo Del Toros version of Mary Shelley's 1818 horror classic. Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, with Jacob Elordi portraying the creature.

Philip Gompertz, the estate's director of commercial visitor operations, noted that Elordi made a brief, surprise appearance on set, though production staff kept his visit highly confidential. Various rooms were adapted for different scenes, including the Bow Room, which was decorated with lavish paintings and staged with a specially built bed for key bedroom and birth sequences.

"This space provided the ghostly and mystical ambiance the director envisioned," Gompertz explained. "While Burghley is a Tudor mansion rather than truly gothic, its staircases and ornate rooms allowed it to convincingly take on that role."

The estate's grounds were filled with cranes and production equipment during filming. Preparing for the shoot required clearing rooms for set design, lighting, and props, including a large statue of an archangel and a four-poster bed constructed specifically for the scenes.

Gompertz emphasized the dual benefits of hosting film productions: financial support for maintaining the mansion and increased public interest, which typically boosts visitor numbers after the release. "Its always a thrill to see Burghley on screen. It consistently looks spectacular in any production," he added.

He also highlighted that the film crew was careful when moving around the historic property, ensuring the preservation of its valuable interiors.

The director and production team hope that the release of Frankenstein will encourage "film tourism" and introduce more visitors to the estate, continuing Burghley Houses tradition of serving as a cinematic landmark.

Author Commentary: Burghley House and the Rise of Film Tourism

The recent filming of Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein at Burghley House highlights the growing intersection of heritage preservation and cinematic production. As the estate’s director of commercial visitor operations, Philip Gompertz, emphasized, hosting such high-profile projects provides both financial support for maintaining historic properties and a platform to reach new audiences.

Transforming the Bow Room and other parts of the Elizabethan mansion into gothic settings demonstrates how flexible historic sites can be in adapting to creative demands. While Burghley is not inherently gothic, its ornate staircases and rooms convincingly fulfilled the director’s vision, showing that careful set design can bridge historical authenticity and cinematic storytelling.

Beyond aesthetics, the presence of film crews and actors like Jacob Elordi, even in brief, secret appearances, generates media attention and anticipation. This attention often translates into increased visitor numbers, a phenomenon known as "film tourism," which reinforces the estate’s role not just as a preserved site but as a living cultural landmark.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Burghley House and major film productions exemplifies a sustainable model for heritage sites: protecting historical integrity while leveraging contemporary media to broaden public engagement and ensure long-term viability.

Sources:

• When Frankenstein took over a stately home