Guillermo del Toro’s visually striking adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein draws audiences into a hauntingly beautiful world by showcasing authentic UK manors and Gothic landmarks as its backdrop, bringing the Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein locations to the forefront for visitors. Released on Netflix on November 7, 2025, the film’s dedication to practical effects and evocative settings transforms Britain’s historical sites into vital characters in the story.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro’s networks of set designers, including production designer Tamera Deverell, meticulously scouted prestigious locations across the UK. From East Lothian’s sweeping estates to Scotland’s medieval cathedrals, each site grounds the characters—Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac, the Creature embodied by Jacob Elordi, and Elizabeth Lavenza, portrayed by Mia Goth—within spaces rich in atmosphere and layered with centuries of history. For fans of both the genre and grand architecture, these filming locations bring the iconic narrative to life.
Masterful Set Design and Real Locations
Del Toro has long championed the use of authentic sets over digital backdrops or AI-driven visuals. In his own words,
“The one thing you know in this movie is that everything was created, and most of it was handmade. You have… real sets, real locations,”
said Guillermo del Toro, Director. The creative process involved dedicated searches for remarkable spaces.
“We travelled, a caravan of people, for hours and hours to find one room that looked the right way,”
added Guillermo del Toro, Director.
This commitment is reflected throughout the film, with location choices that enhance the Gothic tone and historical intrigue underlying the Frankenstein mythos. As Tamera Deverell shared,
“The textures and colours of the family villa, which came out of [several] locations, were dark wood floors and green walls and marble and stone,”
Tamera Deverell, Production Designer.
“Victor’s mother has the signifying colour of red, and her red bed moves with Victor through the story to several locations,”
Tamera Deverell, Production Designer. These design elements give the story’s settings a tactile, lived-in quality, blurring the line between cinematic fantasy and real-world legacy.
Gosford House: The Face of Frankenstein’s Ancestral Home
Nestled in East Lothian, Scotland, Gosford House features as the stately exterior of Victor Frankenstein’s family estate. The grand two-tier Marble Hall inside the mansion, recognized for its dramatic arches, ionic columns, and a majestic double staircase, plays a prominent role in establishing the lavish yet decaying setting. Press reports highlight that Gosford House was selected specifically for its opulent design and atmospheric presence, offering a perfect fit for del Toro’s moody Gothic vision.
Maddy, a writer for Country Living UK, recommends visitors take time to walk the grounds—spanning an impressive 5,000 acres—to fully appreciate the estate’s on-screen transformation, picturing the sweeping marble steps and the shaded architectural wings immortalized in key scenes.
Wilton House: Transforming Palladian Grandeur
Located in Wiltshire, England, Wilton House assumes the role of Victor’s childhood home, using its celebrated Palladian façade and spectacular Double Cube Room, originally designed by Inigo Jones. Wilton House’s reputation as a favorite among filmmakers is cemented by its appearance in period dramas like Pride and Prejudice (2005), Emma (2020), The Crown, and Bridgerton.
Natural lighting plays a critical role in Frankenstein (2025), as del Toro draws out deeper shadows and subtle golds from the house’s historically rich interiors, amplifying both the beauty and the somber themes woven into the story. Some sections of Wilton House are only open to visitors at certain times, so checking availability before planning a trip is advised.
Burghley House: Atmospheric Interiors for Family Drama
Burghley House in Lincolnshire provides several key interior settings in del Toro’s adaptation. Its expansive Great Hall and atmospheric old kitchens serve as the backdrop for Victor’s childhood memories as well as pivotal interactions among the Frankenstein family. The opulent yet intimate rooms, including the bedroom of Victor’s mother—depicted by Mia Goth—showcase del Toro’s ability to compose space for maximum emotional resonance.
Guided tours often highlight these rooms’ historical significance, and, when possible, visitors can learn how each was transformed for the film, deepening their understanding of how del Toro’s vision weaves architectural history and storytelling together.
Edinburgh Old Town: Urban Backdrops Echoing European Mystery
The labyrinthine streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town, including the bustling Royal Mile, stand in for Frankenstein’s darker European cities. With their cobbled thoroughfares and soaring ancient structures, these locations channel the novel’s tension between progress and tradition. The city’s own heritage as a center for medical and scientific advancement closely aligns with the themes explored in Mary Shelley’s narrative, which originally drew inspiration from Edinburgh’s cultural richness.
Famous sites such as Parliament Square and Bakehouse Close help the movie evoke a sense of depth and authenticity. For those interested in the region’s mystical side, the Museum of Magic, Fortune-telling & Witchcraft offers insights into Scotland’s enduring legends and superstitions, complementing the Gothic ambiance found in del Toro’s adaptation.
Glasgow Cathedral: Medieval Spirituality and Spectacle
Glasgow Cathedral, a remarkable 12th-century Gothic monument, forms one of the film’s most emotionally charged settings. Its dark spire, soaring nave, and centuries-old crypts create memorable backdrops for critical scenes—most notably, the confessional confrontation between Victor (Oscar Isaac) and Elizabeth (Mia Goth), and the Creature’s early life in confinement. The crypt’s low ceilings and atmospheric arches intensify the isolation and torment felt by the film’s protagonists.
Due to the main chapel’s lofty ceiling, filming was moved to the lower chapel, making it an essential stop for fans wishing to see the locations used on screen.
Del Toro’s Locations as Living Characters
Production designer Tamera Deverell notes that each carefully chosen property acts as a living extension of the narrative. The architecture and distinctive design choices reinforce themes of ambition, loss, and guilt that define both the story and its settings. These manors, halls, and winding city streets do more than serve as scenic backgrounds; they shape and reflect the inner worlds of Victor, Elizabeth, and the Creature, channeling the past through every worn stone and elaborate room.
By immersing filmgoers and visitors alike in these Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein locations, the adaptation underscores how place and story are inseparable within the Gothic tradition. The result is a vibrant intersection of film, history, and architecture—a testament to del Toro’s passionate commitment to bringing Mary Shelley’s world off the page and into our own.
As UK travel continues to emphasize heritage destinations, these filming locations are set to attract both movie fans and lovers of historical architecture. Experiencing each site in person allows viewers to retrace Victor’s footsteps, imagine the genre’s infamous experiments, and see first-hand how del Toro’s creative choices breathe new life into old stones. For those captivated by the film’s visuals and the enduring appeal of Gothic romance, visiting these sites promises an adventure steeped in both cinematic magic and historical grandeur.
