Finding Middlemarch

ByJulie Klassen
14 Comments

I don’t believe I’ve ever read Middlemarch, a novel by author George Eliot (pseudonym used by Mary Anne Evans) but I certainly enjoyed the beautifully-made 1994 BBC/Masterpiece series starring many wonderful British actors like Robert Hardy, Patrick Malahide, Douglas Hodge, Pam Ferris, Jonathan Firth, Juliet Aubrey, and a young Rufus Sewell (“Lord M” of recent Victoria fame, though I have been a fan of his for years).

When planning a recent trip to the UK, I saw that we would be passing near the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire known as “one of the finest Georgian stone towns in England.” I read with interest that it had been used as a filming location for Middlemarch (as well as serving as “Meryton” in the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice).

Our photo of Barn Hill, Stamford (looking downhill)
Barn Hill in Middlemarch, looking uphill.

My husband and I visited Stamford and immediately understood its appeal for film makers. A stop at the Tourist Information Centre introduced us to a friendly, helpful woman who had been there when both P and P and Middlemarch were filmed right outside her office window, and who was happy to describe specific filming locations.

Stamford’s St. George’s Square as Middlemarch (Left) vs. same street today (Right).

Armed with a packet of picture postcards she sold us, we went in search of Middlemarch and were delighted to discover the adjacent St. George’s Square as well as Barn Hill which were used to film so many scenes.

Buildings dressed for Middlemarch (Left) vs. me in front of same buildings (Right).

We enjoyed finding “Middlemarch” and would happily return to the beautiful town of Stamford, if future travels allow. Have you read or seen Middlemarch?

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JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

14 Comments

  2. No, I haven’t heard of Middlemarch before today. I enjoy seeing the side by side photos of the film locations vs. how they look today. Thanks for sharing!

  3. We watched Middlemarch earlier this year. It is a favorite. Yes Rufus Sewell is also a favorite! These period pieces are so well done! You can get lists and comments and upcoming period dramas on a site called Willow and Thatch. They have a Facebook page and scads of DVDs in frequent giveaways. Of course a lot of them are available for streaming and at my library.

  5. I read Middlemarch years ago and remember liking it. And I have it tagged to watch but haven’t yet! Now I will be sure to get to it soon. Thanks for highlighting it!

  6. I haven’t read or seen it. I’ve already looked it up and found it’s available to watch on Amazon Prime and available through my library!! Adding both to their respective lists 🙂 Thank you for the “visit” and suggestion!

  7. Thanks for the interesting post. This sounds like a great read/watch..
    This town looks to be a real gem! If we get back to the U.K. it should be on the list.

  8. I read and own a copy of the novel–it has a Barnes & Noble imprint (yellow jacket bound hardback with a period painting on the cover). It’s a thick tome!
    I saw bits and pieces of the 1994 adaptation when it was on “Masterpiece Theater.” As with any adaptation, characters, plot points, and events are edited or not included.

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