Where Was 'A Discovery Of Witches' Filmed?

Filming locations can make or break a fantasy series, and 'A Discovery of Witches' chose wisely. The show’s aesthetic hinges on places that feel both grand and intimate—like the vampire-owned Bishop House, which was filmed at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Its tapestries and stone corridors ooze history.

For modern contrasts, Cardiff’s streets doubled for London, offering sleek backdrops for Matthew’s scientific world. The most brilliant choice? Using the lesser-known Tretower Court in Wales for flashbacks. Its 15th-century architecture sold the time-travel scenes without needing excessive set dressing.

What fascinates me is how they balanced authenticity with practicality. Venice’s canals required permits for night shoots, while Oxford’s colleges imposed strict filming hours. Yet every location feels seamlessly woven into the narrative. If you loved the visuals, I’d suggest visiting Hay Castle in Wales—it wasn’t in the show but has the same eerie charm.

I can confirm the filming locations are almost as magical as the story. The show used real-world spots that perfectly matched its gothic vibe. Oxford University steals the show with its ancient libraries and spires—those scenes where Diana researches magic? All shot in the actual Bodleian Library. The vampire council’s dramatic meetings happen in the stunning Gloucester Cathedral, which looks straight out of a medieval fantasy. Wales doubled for upstate New York, with Brecon Beacons National Park providing those misty forest scenes. Italy’s scenes were filmed in Venice, because where else would you set immortal drama? The production team nailed the atmosphere by picking locations that felt timeless.

Let’s geek out over the filming details of 'A Discovery of Witches'. The series blends real-world elegance with supernatural flair, and the locations play a huge part.

Oxford is the heart of it all. The Bodleian Library’s Duke Humfrey’s Library became Diana’s academic playground—those wood-paneled walls and antique books are 100% real. Exeter College stood in for Matthew’s vampire academia, with its cloisters adding that centuries-old mystique. For the French château scenes, they used Penrhyn Castle in Wales; its neo-Norman architecture gave those vampire family gatherings serious gravitas.

The Italian segments were shot across Venice and Treviso. Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei’s gold-leaf ceilings and frescoes made it the perfect backdrop for vampire aristocracy. Fun fact: the production team had to get creative with lighting in historic buildings—no drilling allowed! Outdoor scenes in the Alps were actually filmed in Snowdonia, Wales, proving you don’t need CGI when you’ve got moody landscapes.