Bridgerton’s Katie Leung On Where To Find Regency Grandeur In The UK

For actor Katie Leung, who had already starred in one of Britain’s most beloved film series Harry Potter, landing her role in Bridgerton had a touch of kismet about it. ‘Long before I was cast in Bridgerton, I visited Bath on a romantic getaway,’ she tells us. ‘On a walking tour of the city, we stopped at the Royal Crescent, and the guide mentioned that Bridgerton had been filmed there.’ Five years later she was on a replica set of that very spot, starring in the show herself; and it’s moments like this from her work that tie her to people and places across the UK. Here, Leung shares her insider’s guide to the UK, from Gleneagles to Brighton Pier and the best Regency grandeur hotspots.

Katie Leung: Q&A

C&TH: Through your work you must have seen much of what the UK has to offer – but which corner of Britain still feels like a hidden gem to you?

Katie Leung: The Scottish Highlands pull me back every time. There’s something humbling about the unchanged landscape that reminds me to slow down, and it feels more majestic with each visit. Then there’s Oxfordshire which casts its own nostalgic spell, and with Blenheim Palace around the corner, I’m reliving Regency grandeur all over again.

C&TH: Our tagline is ‘a life in balance’: how do you achieve that?

Katie Leung: Carving out time for myself is rare, but when I do, I immediately feel more balanced in all aspects of my life, so I recommend it to fellow workaholics. My ideal day off would still involve spending time with loved ones, sharing good food and conversation with no pressure to be anywhere else. I’m a natural homebody, so it always catches me off guard how much I enjoy being outside once I’m actually there.

C&TH: What’s your ideal British summer escape, and are you more of a countryside retreat or city-in-the-sun person?

Katie Leung: I love getting out of London in the summer, but only briefly, because as a city girl, I miss it too much. Bicester Village is my sweet spot: countryside air, but with enough buzz and purpose that it feels like the city has followed me there.

C&TH: Tell us about your summer style for 2026.

Katie Leung: This summer has to be breezy, classic, cosy, and practical. And sunglasses – always sunglasses. I recently bought a Prada pair from David Clulow at Bicester Village. I think they’re one of the most underrated parts of a look and actually define rather than complement it. I’ve never been more intentional about which shades I reach for.

C&TH: Filming Bridgerton must have taken you to some extraordinary places. Were there any locations that stand out to you as must-visit spots?

Katie Leung: Long before I was cast in Bridgerton, I visited Bath on a romantic getaway. On a walking tour of the city, we stopped at the Royal Crescent, and the guide mentioned that Bridgerton had been filmed there. I remember thinking it must be quite the show to already be woven into the tour. Fast forward five years, and I’m shooting on a studio set where they’ve built an exact replica of that very Crescent. So I’d love to go back to the real thing at some point and pay a proper visit.

C&TH: Can you share an on-set highlight from your experiences on Harry Potter and Bridgerton?

Katie Leung: One personal highlight that spans both on-set experiences has been the privilege of working with some of Britain’s finest actors. What’s struck me most is discovering that their immense talent is matched by genuine empathy and kindness – something I find deeply inspiring. That quality of care amongst the cast and crew creates an environment where people feel protected and valued, and that’s when the best work happens. There’s a real sense of camaraderie, passion, and joy on set that I believe is at the very heart of the success of these shows.

C&TH: If you were putting together an insider’s guide to the UK for someone visiting for the first time, what would make the list?

Katie Leung: Gleneagles; Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh; Loch Lomond; Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow; the Isle of Arran; the Lake District; the Cotswolds, with, of course, a visit to Bicester Village; Bath; Southbank; Columbia Flower Market; Brixton; the Barbican; and Brighton Pier.

About All Roads Lead To The Village

Katie Leung is one of six cultural tastemakers fronting Bicester Village‘s All Roads Lead to the Village campaign this summer, alongside Jessie Ware, Nick Grimshaw, Padmanabh Singh, Chris Black and Jason Stewart. The season-long campaign positions the Oxfordshire village as a destination for modern British culture, taking in food, fashion, sport and real-life experiences, with each tastemaker offering a personal take on British summer through a series of short films covering where to go, what to wear and what to eat along the way.