A Georgian ballroom in the heart of Newark-on-Trent has been linked to one of Netflix’s biggest shows after a film production company quietly scouted the town ahead of Christmas.

How Newark Town Hall’s Georgian ballroom became part of Bridgerton

A Georgian ballroom in the heart of Newark-on-Trent has been linked to one of Netflix’s biggest shows after a film production company quietly scouted the town ahead of Christmas.

Speaking on Radio Newark, Victoria Penarski, Hospitality and Events Manager at Newark Town Hall, explained how the opportunity came about and why it had to remain confidential.

Victoria said the Town Hall was contacted by a small London-based film production company that was searching for period ballrooms across the country. At the time, no details were shared about how the space would be used.

“They didn’t tell me what they were doing. They just needed period ballrooms,” she said.

After viewing several locations, the company returned to confirm Newark’s original Georgian ballroom as their preferred venue. The space was booked and full access to the building was requested. It was only after Victoria signed a non-disclosure agreement that she learned the filming was connected to Bridgerton.

The ballroom is an original Georgian space and closely matches the period the series is based on. Victoria said this was something that stood out to her long before filming took place.

“When I first interviewed at the Town Hall and saw the ballroom, I remember thinking this is something straight out of Bridgerton,” she said.

Despite the scale of the production, only the town clerk was informed of the details. The rest of the team were not told due to concerns that the information could spread quickly in a small town.

“Newark’s quiet, but word travels fast. We had to keep it under wraps so that the lady who won the competition didn’t find out what was happening,” she said.

Although filming was intended to remain discreet, the arrival of large vehicles, props and floral displays attracted attention from local residents. Thrones and foxgloves were spotted outside the building, prompting questions and media enquiries. However, details were not confirmed until the official video was released.

Victoria said seeing the ballroom transformed was an impressive experience. She added that the bridal suite was used as a production room, allowing her to observe parts of the filming from behind the scenes.

She hopes the exposure will help raise Newark’s profile, particularly as much of the town’s history is often overlooked by visitors. Local businesses were also involved, including Crumbly Bun, whose owner Jason initially believed the request was a joke.

Looking ahead, Newark Town Hall is now exploring Bridgerton-themed events. While some plans were already in development, there are hopes to expand to ballroom tours, historical tours, weddings, afternoon events and evening events. Discussions about future opportunities are ongoing.

More information about upcoming events is available on the Newark Town Hall website and social media pages.