Let's get one thing clear, we are 100 percent, completely and utterly obsessed with Disney+'s Rivals—and the good news is, season 2 is just as good as the first! The series, based on Dame Jilly Cooper's iconic novel of the same name, follows the glamorous and shocking lives of a groups of friends/frenemies in the upper class society of Rutshire.
Season 2 sees the battle between Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and arch enemy Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell)'s TV channels Corinium and Venturer reach fever pitch, as they fight over Central South West. Among the TV wars, there's countryside scandal, a lot of sex, full on ‘80s glamour and total chaos, not to mention a lot of horses too.
"Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences," reads the official description of the show. "As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?"
Like season 1, the eight-part season 2 is set in Rutshire, and as such, you can expect gorgeous country estates, grand houses, and quaint picturesque English villages take center stage. But is Rutshire real? And where was the series filmed? Here's what you need to know about Rivals' filming locations.
Is Rutshire real?
Disney+'s Rivals is set in the county of Rutshire, but unfortunately Rutshire is not a real place, and instead was created by Dame Jilly Cooper for her novel series The Rutshire Chronicles.
Rutshire is based on the Cotswolds and the three English counties which make up the area: Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire.
Where was Rivals season 2 filmed?
In order to bring to life the fictional county of Rutshire, filming for Rivals took place on location throughout Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
The town of Tetbury in Gloucestershire was used frequently and is actually where Dame Jilly Cooper lived for over 40 years. The town of Corsham, Wiltshire was also used in Rivals, as well as the cities of Bristol and Monmouthshire in Wales. Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire was also used.
Meanwhile, season 2 also sees the introduction of some new locations, including Devon (where Rupert and Cameron go into hiding), and potentially Ireland, where Declan O'Hara gets his documentary approved. As for the specific locations used, read on...
All the filming locations of Rivals season 2
Rupert's Devon getaway
In episode one of Rivals season 2, we see Rupert hiding Cameron out in his Devon cottage, after it emerges that Tony survived her attack at the end of season 1. It's a brief glimpse, but nice to see the cast getting out of Rutshire!
Freddie and Val's new house Bella Vista
Season 2 sees Freddie's success take him to new heights, as he and his family move into a lavish new home. The home is pure ‘80s glamour, satin sheets and shagpile carpets. In an interview to promote the series, the cast revealed the house actually belongs to two fans of the show.
Apparently, the private home was offered as a filming location by a mother and daughter who watched season 1 and felt they “needed to get their house in Rivals.” Imagine!
The Polo field
Polo is a new addition to the Rivals universe for season 2, and scenes were filmed in the grounds of Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire.
Charles Berkeley, custodian of the castle, told the BBC it was "rather fantastic" to have the crew and cast on site, adding, "it's not every day you have a film crew around and it's very exciting. It's like a small filming village that comes to the castle and recreates a scene. I'm very proud that we were able to have filming at such a wonderful building."
The Baddingham's home
The grand house of Tony and Monica Baddingham, known as The Falconry, was filmed on location at Neston Park. The property is a privately owned stately home, and is not currently open for visitors.
You may have seen the house before when it was used for filming scenes in BBC's 2008 Larkrise to Candleford and ITV's 2007 Persuasion.
The O'Hara's house
Easily one of the most stunning properties featured in Rivals, is The Priory, the home of the O'Haras. The Priory was filmed on location at Chavenage House, which is just outside of Tetbury. Aidan Turner, who plays Declan O'Hara in the series, will be all too familiar with the house, as it was also used for filming in the series Poldark, of which he was the lead.
The house is available for tours booked through reservation only, click here for more details.
Cameron Cook's house
Cameron Cook lives in the center of town in a house Tony purchased for her as part of the deal of Cameron moving to the UK. The house was filmed at a Grade II-listed property in the town of Tetbury known as Berkeley House, which is actually available as a holiday rental.
London scenes
Though mainly set in the Cotswolds, in the series the characters do occasionally visit London and these exterior shots were filmed in Bristol in and around Queen Square, Corn Street and Broad Street. The Cosy Club and the Harbour Hotel on Corn Street in Bristol were also both used during production, doubling as a London hotel, presumably where Maud and Declan go in episode one of season 2.
Rivals season 2 is available on Disney+ now
