A NEW Netflix adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's 1938 novel Rebecca was largely filmed in Dorset.

Starring Lily James and Armie Hammer, it comes to our screens on Wednesday, October 21.

A sprawling estate in Dorset served as the house in the film and interior scenes were shot further west in the county. The novel is set in Cornwall and was in the last few years named as the UK's favourite book of the past two centuries.

Cranborne Manor near Blandford doubles up as creepy house Manderley in the film, where an unnamed young woman goes to live after she marries Maxim De Winter. She soon becomes consumed by thoughts of his ex-wife Rebecca, whose spirit seems to haunt the house.

The plot is told from the perspective of the new Mrs de Winter, who discovers Rebecca has left a mysterious legacy. Kristin Scott Thomas appears in the film as the stern and cold housekeeper Mrs Danvers.

Cranborne isn't the only Dorset location used for the movie - some scenes were shot at Mapperton House in Beaminster.

Rebecca wasn't shot in a studio, but instead filmed on location - and you can go and explore the estate which doubles up as Manderley. The gardens of Cranborne Manor are open to the public on Wednesdays.

You can also visit the gardens of Mapperton House near Beaminster every day apart from Friday.

Cranborne Manor in Dorset served as the main location, and it's not difficult to see why it caught the production team's attention. Filming took place there in July 2019.

The estate is filled with stunning gardens, from manicured lawns to a picturesque rose garden, and even a colourful vegetable garden. The surrounding woods provide the perfect spooky setting for the gothic nature of the novel.

The manor has Jacobean gatehouses and the country house is Grade I listed. Inside, there are stone doorways dating back to the 17th century, large wood panelling details, and spacious galleries.

Cranborne Manor is known for its gardens, which were practically abandoned from the end of the 17th century, until a family moved back into the manor in the 1920s.

The manor garden was originally established in the 17th century by John Tradescant and Mounten Jennings. When they were revived in the 1920s some of the original plans were incorporated. Succeeding generations have established the framework of the garden as it is today, combining wild and formal areas with equal success.

Filming also took place at Hartland Quay in Devon, which provided romantic settings where Mr and Mrs de Winter first met and fell in love.

Cranborne Manor is closed to the public, but you can go and explore the gardens on Wednesdays. There's also a garden centre and café. See www.cranborne.co.uk/visit/

For information on Mapperton House see mapperton.com/

*Rebecca airs on Netflix from Wednesday, October 21.