Directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, the Saltburn movie really split the crowd—some adored it, others not so much. Kind of fitting, considering the film itself juggles themes of love, hate, and social divides.
But one thing’s for sure: the filming spots are just stunning.
Fancy a little tour of where Saltburn was filmed? You’re in luck! With Trainline, you can hop on a train and explore these amazing locations in England in no time.
Image Credit: MGM and Amazon Studios
Everything you need to know about Saltburn
What is Saltburn about?
Saltburn mixes dark humor and suspense, centering on Oliver Quick’s (played by Barry Keoghan) college journey and his tangled relationship with the posh Felix Catton (played by Jacob Elordi). As the movie’s director herself puts it, it’s about our “sadomasochistic relationship with the aristocracy”.
Is Saltburn based on a book?
No, it’s not. Saltburn is an original screenplay by Emerald Fennell, known for her Academy Award-winning work on Promising Young Woman.
Image Credit: MGM and Amazon Studios
Is Saltburn located in England?
Yes, the story is set in England. It paints a vivid picture of English life, from the rural estate in Northamptonshire to historic Oxford.
By the way, there is this really cute little town in England called Saltburn-by-the-Sea. It’s famous for its vintage pier and cliff lift. Consider popping by if you’re after a charming throwback to the Victorian era. But just a heads up, it’s not the place the Saltburn movie is about. Different vibes, different story!
Where in Oxford was Saltburn filmed?
Right at the start of the movie, we meet Oliver Quick, played by Barry Keoghan. He’s just gotten to Oxford to start studying at Brasenose College.
The team initially thought about filming the Oxford scenes in St Albans, a less crowded and more budget-friendly location. But Emerald Fennell, the writer and director of the movie and an Oxford alumna herself, insisted on authenticity. So they ended up shooting many Oxford scenes right in the city’s college buildings, dorms, and parks.
Image Credit: JJ Media Group. Image Location: Shotover House, Oxfordshire, UK
Where in Oxford were the opening scenes of Saltburn filmed?
Some of the first scenes were filmed at Shotover House. This private country house, steeped in 18th-century history, hadn’t been featured in movies before—it made its on-screen debut with Saltburn. The crew spent eight weeks there shooting several scenes in the house itself and the park around it.
Image Credit: Getty Images, joe daniel price. Image Location: Radcliffe Camera, Oxford, UK
What Oxford location was used for city scenes in Saltburn?
In many scenes in the beginning of the movie, you’ll easily spot Radcliffe Square and the famous Radcliffe Camera building. This is the very heart of Oxford.
Did Saltburn use actual university settings for college scenes?
Yep, they used real university locations, including Wellington Square, to capture that authentic Oxford spirit.
What about the dorm room scenes? Were they also filmed on location?
Totally. Some generous students did lend their actual dorms for the filming.
Image Credit: MGM and Amazon Studios
Saltburn main filming location: Drayton House, Northamptonshire, England
Located one mile south-west of the village of Lowick in England’s Northamptonshire, Drayton, a Grade I listed country house, dates back to the 14th century. It has passed only by inheritance since it was last sold in 1361.
Since the 1770s, the sprawling Drayton House with its 127 rooms and a huge garden has been home to the Stopford Sackville family. It’s easy to see why it was picked for the Saltburn movie—every corner of the house is teeming with stories.
Who lives at Drayton House in Northamptonshire now?
Drayton House is currently the private residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stopford Sackville. The home remains a living piece of history, cherished and looked after by the family.
Can I visit Drayton House from the Saltburn movie?
Drayton House is strictly open by written appointment only. So, if you’re itching to see where Saltburn was brought to life, you’ll need to plan ahead and get permission from the owners. Where to start? Contact the Drayton estate office.
You can arrange an exclusive peek into history with Bruce A. Bailey, the estate’s librarian and archivist. Pre-book your group (you’ll need at least 12 history enthusiasts) for study days and guided tours. These special sessions are available on Wednesdays from Easter through September.
Fun fact. Believe it or not, Drayton House, with its spectacular features and 200-acre park, has dodged the cinema spotlight until Saltburn came along. Looks like it was just waiting for its close-up!
Image Credit: MGM and Amazon Studios
What is the closest train station to Drayton House (NN14 3BB)?
Heading to Drayton House from the Saltburn movie? Your best bet is the train station in Kettering, which is well linked to the rail lines. The trip from London to Kettering is a quick one, with the fastest services getting you there in as little as 45m. Then, it’s just a 12-mile drive to Drayton. But remember, it’s by appointment only, so you need to book ahead to visit.
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Drayton House, Northamptonshire reviews
“Your new visitor, I hope, madam, has carried you to Drayton. It is a most venerable heap of ugliness, with many curious bits. There is a modern colonnade erected by Sir John Germyne, the pillars of which, according to his usual ignorance, were at first, as Lady Suffolk told me, set up with their capitals downwards, supposing them pedestals.”
Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford, an English writer, art historian, and Whig politician in his Letters Addressed to the Countess of Ossory from the Year 1769 to 1797
“Of the Northamptonshire mansions of the Middle Ages the most impressive by far is Drayton, of which part was built from 1328 onwards with a considerable enlargement in the mid C15.”
Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, a German-British art and architectural historian
“One of the best-kept secrets of the English country-house world, Drayton has remained hidden, mysterious, rarely open, guarding its privacy…”
Gervase Jackson-Stops OBE, an architectural historian and journalist
“Lots of people get lost in Saltburn.”
Duncan, the butler in the Saltburn movie
Image Credit: MGM and Amazon Studios
Was the Saltburn movie filmed in London?
Yes, Saltburn also hit the bustling streets of London. Launceston Place in Kensingon was used for the café scene with Oliver (Barry Keoghan) and Elspeth (Rosamund Pike).
By the way, London’s quite the film star itself, recently hosting big shows like Citadel, The Diplomat, and Ted Lasso.
London, Oxford, or Kettering—you can easily visit all the filming locations of Saltburn in England by train. Download the Trainline app to compare fares, find great deals, and manage your bookings on the go.
Header Image Credit: MGM and Amazon Studios