The owner of Chavenage House, the stunning Elizabethan manor featured in Poldark and the Disney series Rivals, has opened up about what it was really like hosting the cast. The historic property serves as the home of the O’Haras in Rivals, with both exterior and interior scenes filmed there.
A Busy Filming Location
James Lowsley-Williams and his wife are currently renovating the 500-year-old house while juggling tours and the Disney production, which uses the estate as a primary location for its first two seasons. With a packed schedule, the couple grew close to the cast, including Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer, Bella Maclean, and Alex Haskell, who were often seen wandering the house during breaks.
James told Express.co.uk: “Poldark and Aidan Turner really got us on the map. We were well-known for Poldark, and we would have dozens of people waiting at the door. As it’s an Elizabethan house, the rooms are quite small, so we had to work around moving tours, but then we had to shut down because of COVID.”
Long-Standing Relationships
He added: “It was the same location team working on Poldark and Rivals, and they came back to us. We’ve known Aidan for years. He knows the house so well now and got on very well with my grandfather.”
The family attended the Rivals premiere and Jilly Cooper’s party. James noted: “It became like a family. It’s so nice to get on with the cast and crew, especially as they’re currently filming for series three.”
Fan Encounters and Surreal Moments
James explained how tours were meticulously planned around filming: “We’ve had to work the tours around Rivals filming, so they would walk around and see Danny Dyer playing Scrabble with Aidan, and they’d end up chatting. It was like walking onto the show in real life.”
He described surreal moments: “We’re renovating the main house, and Danny would just poke his head through the window and ask, ‘What are you guys up to?’ It was incredible having these lovely A-listers wandering around.”
Fans, known as “Aiden’s Maidens,” often visit the cafe hoping to spot the actor. James said: “He’s lovely about it too.”
Scenic Appeal and Tourism Boost
The house has appeared in numerous period dramas, thanks to its picturesque grounds. James said: “They like the view from the back because you get 30 miles of uninterrupted countryside. No pylons or motorways, it’s just unspoilt and lovely.”
James hopes the TV exposure will continue to draw tourists to Chavenage House and the Cotswolds, boosting local interest in the stunning architecture and landscape.
