Buckler's Hard stars in new adaptation of Great Expectations

The former shipbuilding centre of Buckler's Hard was one of the locations used during the making of the series, which stars Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman.

Penned by BAFTA-winning Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, Great Expectations starts on Sunday on BBC One.

Fionn Whitehead, who plays Pips, films a scene at Buckler's Hard (Image: BBC, FX Networks, Miya Mizuno)

The classic coming-of-age story features Pip, an orphan who yearns for a better life.

During his quest to become a gentleman he meets the wealthy, eccentric and sadistic Miss Havisham, played by Ms Colman, who has refused to leave her decaying mansion for 20 years after being jilted at the altar.

READ MORE: Olivia Colman striking in first tailer for BBC Great Expectations adaptation

Great Expectations is set in Kent but most of the series was shot in Shropshire in May last year.

The scenes filmed at Buckler's Hard were completed a few weeks earlier.

Buckler's Hard in the New Forest was used during the filming of Great Expectations (Image: Newsquest.)

The village, the yacht harbour and part of the neighbouring Beaulieu River were closed to the public while the production team turned the clock back to the 1800s.

Buckler's Hard, which comprises two rows of 18th century cottages leading down to the river, is the perfect place to shoot a period drama.

Some of the ships that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 were built there.

READ MORE: Scenes for new TV version of Great Expectations being shot at Buyckler's Hard

In 1966 the Beaulieu River stood in for the River Thames during the filming of A Man for All Seasons, starring Jaws actor Robert Shaw as Henry VIII.

In one scene the monarch sails up the river in a royal barge and jumps out in what is supposed to be Chelsea.

In 1966 the Beaulieu River was used to film A Man for All Seasons, starring Robert Shaw as Henry VIII. (Image: Beaulieu Estate)

The pilot cutter Amelie Rose was used during the filming of Great Expectations and will be moored alongside the village on April 6 for the 60th anniversary of Buckler’s Hard Museum.

On the same day Lord Ivar Mountbatten will visit the museum, which was opened by his great-uncle Earl Mountbatten.

It is not known if any of the scenes featuring Ms Colman were shot at Buckler's Hard.

In 2018 she visited another part of the New Forest after taking over from Claire Foy as the Queen in the Netflix drama The Crown.

Rhinefield House, near Brockenhurst, portrayed one of the royal residences on the Balmoral estate.

Ms Colman and fellow cast member Helena Bonham-Carter, who played Princess Margaret, stayed at the hotel during two-and-a-half days of filming.