The global fascination with the Guinness dynasty has reached a new peak with the release of the Netflix period drama House of Guinness. Created by Steven Knight—the visionary mastermind behind Peaky Blinders—the series delves into the high-stakes power struggles, immense wealth, and complex family legacy following the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1868. While the story is deeply rooted in the cobblestone streets of Dublin, Ireland, travel enthusiasts and “set-jetters” might be surprised to learn that the production primarily utilized the architectural gems of North West England and North Wales to recreate the Gilded Age.
To capture the mid-Victorian era with absolute precision, the production team bypassed modern, modernized Dublin in favor of regions where the 19th-century industrial and aristocratic soul remains intact. From the soaring halls of “Dublin” mansions to the grimy docks of the Liffey, here is a comprehensive guide to the stunning sites that brought the House of Guinness to life. Several of these locations are now open as public museums and historic attractions.
Director Tom Shankland famously noted that Liverpool’s Georgian and Victorian architecture offered a more authentic atmosphere for the 1860s than modern-day Dublin. The city’s status as a secondary capital of the British Empire in the 19th century left behind a wealth of buildings that perfectly mirror the Guinness family’s urban environment.
Croxteth Hall (The Fictional Iveagh House)
The centerpiece of the family’s wealth in the series is Iveagh House, their grand Dublin mansion. While the real Iveagh House stands on St. Stephen’s Green, it now serves as a government building.
Stanley Dock and the Industrial Legacy
No Guinness story is complete without the brewery. The production reimagined the legendary St. James’s Gate Brewery within the massive red-brick walls of the Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse. The warehouse’s vast boiler rooms and iron-columned halls were used to depict the scale of the world’s most famous stout production.
The series also follows the family’s international ambitions. Manchester’s Northern Quarter, with its iconic fire escapes and red-brick facades, was called upon to represent 19th-century New York’s Bowery neighborhood. Streets like Lever Street and Back Piccadilly were dressed with period-accurate signage and horse-drawn carriages to transport the audience across the Atlantic.
Meanwhile, the town of Stockport provided the “underbanks”—a series of narrow, tiered alleyways that stood in for the bustling, often grittier streets of Victorian Dublin. St. Mary’s Church in Stockport also featured prominently, providing the somber backdrop for the many funerals and weddings that define the family’s history.
Entrance Fees: Access to the 500-acre Country Park is free. Tours of the Hall itself generally cost between £5.00 and £7.00.
One of the most striking locations in the series is the stand-in for Ashford Castle, the Guinness family’s massive country retreat. The production chose Penrhyn Castle in North Wales as its cinematic double. This National Trust property is a neo-Norman masterpiece, built with the profits of the slate industry, mirroring the “new money” grandeur of the brewery titans. Its vast grounds and extravagant rooms provided the visual weight necessary to showcase the family’s immense social status.
Entrance Fees: Approximately £15.00 for adults and £7.50 for children. Entry is free for National Trust members.
The mansion’s library and conservatory were key filming spots for intimate family discussions. Tatton Park is one of the UK’s most complete historic estates.
Used for courtroom scenes and grand political rallies, St. George’s Hall is a neoclassical triumph.
This location stood in for the Dublin graving docks. It is a living museum of Britain’s canal history.
By weaving together these diverse locations, the creators of House of Guinness have crafted a world that feels both authentic and larger than life. While the Guinness name will forever be synonymous with Dublin, this production serves as a tribute to the shared Victorian heritage of the British Isles. For the traveler, these sites offer more than just a glimpse into a TV show; they offer a portal into a time of industry, ambition, and the architectural splendor of a bygone era. Whether you are exploring the narrow alleys of Stockport or the grand halls of Penrhyn, you are walking through the history of a family that changed the world—one pint at a time.
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