Fountains Abbey in explosive plot

It’s 1603, and England is at war with Catholic Spain. Elizabeth I is dead and King James of Scotland has taken the throne. Several attempts to take the Protestant King’s life have already been made but failed. Deep in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside a new plot is brewing, a plot that will leave a mark on a country that will still be felt for over 400 years later.

If you’re watching Gunpowder on BBC One, keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot Fountains Abbey, which was transformed for ten days of filming earlier this year. The Abbey cellarium and the steps of Fountains Hall were the backdrop for several scenes in the new BBC drama, adding gothic ambience to the anticipated new programme.

Aimee Rawson, Marketing Officer at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, was on hand to oversee the day along with the support of a filming conservator to make sure that all went smoothly. “The cellarium is a very dramatic backdrop for filming, and it was brilliant to see the space brought to life and watch the actors in action.”  she says. “We’re all looking forward to watching Gunpowder and seeing how Fountains Abbey looks onscreen.”

The programme, which stars Kit Harington and Liv Tyler alongside Peter Mullan, Mark Gatiss, Tom Cullen, and many others is a new three-part retelling of The Gunpowder Plot and will begin on Saturday 21 October, 9.10pm on BBC One.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal has been used as a location for many films and television dramas including the History Boys and the Secret Garden.

If you’d like to come along and see Fountains Abbey for yourself, we're open daily in October, 10am - 6pm,  then 10am - 5pm from 1 November 1st.  See our opening times for full details.