There are three feature films to look out for this autumn that feature Knebworth House, Gardens and Park – ‘Victoria and Abdul’, ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ and ‘Paddington 2’. Martha and I were privileged to be included in the premiere ‘Victoria and Abdul’ at the Odeon Leicester Square – a special night, as it was also our 30th wedding anniversary. The film is good fun, and very beautiful, and we are proud that Knebworth House holds its own in the company of so many other stunning locations, including Osborne House and the Taj Mahal!
There is a short scene in St Mary’s Churchyard, and scenes in Knebworth House’s State Drawing Room, Library, Staircase, Queen Elizabeth Bedroom and Gardens… and a carriage ride up our Park’s central avenue, to which they have magically added snow. If you are eagle-eyed, you will also spot some movie magic as Victoria (Judy Dench) and Abdul (Ali Fazal) walk the length of one of the avenues in the Garden. Although they walk the full length of the avenue, in the close up of Abdul the background does not change – because if it had, my father would have had a cameo… in the form of his cedar tree jousting statue that they walk right past! My father did celebrate his 80th birthday this summer, but he wasn’t around in the 1890s!
Henry Lytton Cobbold
@HenryCobboldKH