Gentle reader, if you just can’t wait for Bridgerton Season 3, here’s an opportunity to dive right into its Regency Era courtliness without so much as having to set foot inside a horse and carriage.
The Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) is leaning into its use as a set for the hit Netflix series by inviting the public to don a ballgown or waistcoat, and strut around the Grade I-listed site like you’re the talk of the ton. What’s more, live music, guided tours and period cocktails are all promised.
We spoke to the Old Royal Naval College’s Hayley Chester, an organiser behind the event, to find out more…
Holly O’Mahony (HOM): Firstly, can you remind our readers about the connection between the Old Royal Naval College and Shonda Rhymes’ hit Netflix series Bridgerton?
Hayley Chester (HC): The Old Royal Naval College has featured prominently in the show, with several scenes from Season 1 and 2, and spin-off show Queen Charlotte, being filmed on site.
In season 2, we had four carriages and eight horses driving around Lower Grand Square!
HOM: What are some of the locations visitors might recognise from the TV show?
HC: Our beautiful colonnades feature in two episodes of Season 2.
In the first one, a young paper boy can be seen running to deliver the much-anticipated papers of Lady Whistledown.
In the second one, Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington wander along admiring flower stalls.
In Season 3 (which comes out at the end of this year), the site continues to play a key role, but we are not allowed to say what happens!
During the Bridgerton Late event, visitors will be able to have a cocktail in the colonnades and take part in guided and self-guided tours to learn more about the history of the Old Royal Naval College during the Regency era, as well as the site’s relationship with Bridgerton.
HOM: This is the first Bridgerton Late event you’ve run at the Old Royal Naval College. What inspired it?
HC: Yes! We’re planning to run ‘Museum Late’ style events more regularly.
After the success of the themed Eclipse Late under Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon installation earlier this year, we decided our connection with Bridgerton would provide a great theme for a summer event where people can enjoy the evening, have a little dance, sip a cocktail on the colonnades, and feel like they are travelling back in time to the Regency era.
HOM: Just how Bridgerton-y will this night be?
HC: It will be very on brand!
The professional Bridgerton Dancers will teach Regency-style dance lessons in costume, accompanied by a live string quartet playing the pop classics recognisable from the Netflix series.
Our friends at the Fan Museum will also bring some of the incredible fans from their collection, which visitors will be able to handle.
Artist Heather Pacic will be creating a watercolour masterpiece of one of the Old Royal Naval College’s Bridgerton locations on the night too, which guests will have a chance to win in a prize draw.
We’ll have a photobooth with props so people can show off their experiences of the evening on social media.
HOM: What will there be by way of food and drink? What can we expect from those Bridgerton-themed cocktails?
HC: We will be offering Bridgerton-themed cocktails which were specially designed by our in-house catering team.
They have been inspired by the colour palette of the show, and they will hopefully delight the palates of our guests.
HOM: Any Lady Whistledown-style advice for how visitors should dress to impress?
HC: Get your most summery and colourful outfits ready!
The Regency era featured long gloves, parasols, jewels, feathers and fans, and we encourage guests to go the full ‘Ton’.
We have suggested a few places you can hire period dress on the Old Royal Naval College website, too.
There are no rules, just show your unique style and interpret the ‘Regency’ brief as you wish.
We only request that if you’re planning to dance, please wear soft-soled shoes (no stilettos, please!), as the Painted Hall is a Grade I listed building and we need to ensure the protection of the historic floor.
Aside from that, we cannot wait to see the sophistication and glamour!
Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN.
Friday August 25, two-hour time slots from 5:30pm – 7:30pm; 7pm – 9pm; and 8pm – 10pm.
Admission: £40/£35 annual pass holders.
