After months of glorious, sunny summer, the UK is starting to look a little more like itself again — by which, of course, I mean dreary. But no fear, the country always knows how to keep our spirits up when skies get grey and the nights draw in – we stick up a big tent in a garden, and fill it with colourful bunting, kitchenware, friendly faces and sugary sweets. Yes, The Great British Bake Off is back — and just in time.
The Great British Bake Off returned to our screens as of 2 September, with a baker's dozen of the UK's best bakers battling it out to secure the title of star baker each week in hopes of taking home that highly-coveted GBBO cake stand.
Now, we're already weeks in to the 2025 series, with biscuit week seeing one of the bakers crumbling out of the competition (see what I did there?). After Pui Man, Aaron and Leighton were named at risk, Leighton was ultimately the one who said goodbye, following on the heels of Hassan in week one.
But with the show's return, we can't help but wonder: where is Great British Bake Off filmed? Now a well established staple in British TV, Bake Off's white tent has become altogether iconic. So where exactly does one find this state-of-the-art tent equipped with rustic worktops, futuristic ovens and bright bunting? And perhaps more importantly, can you visit it for yourself?
In case you're invested as much as we are, here's everything to know about the Great British Bake Off filming locations through the years.
Where is The Great British Bake Off filmed?
The Great British Bake Off tent is pitched up each year for between 12 to 13 weeks during filming of the show – which typically begins in April and runs for 10 weeks into summertime.
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The beloved white marquee tent sits on the sprawling grounds beside the stunning Welford Park country house, with filming for Bake Off having taken place on the estate since series five (2014), excluding a two-year relocation during Covid.
Originally the site of a monastery, Welford Park became Henry VIII's deer hunting lodge before being bought by a family in 1618, with the park having since been used by the likes of the Bake Off production team, BBC, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and more.
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During the pandemic, the Bake Off tent briefly relocated to Down Hall Hotel in Bishop’s Stortford, shifting from Welford Park due to restrictions. To allow filming to commence, contestants and crew had to abide by strict rules, including living in a ‘self-contained biosphere’ to avoid spreading the virus.
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Prior to that, Bake Off series two (2011) filming took place at Valentines Mansion in Redbridge, while seasons three and four (2012 -13) were filmed in Somerset at Harptree Court.
Longstanding fans of the show might also recall that the OG Bake Off season one had contestants journeying across the UK, with the tent being relocated each week in line with the allocated theme for that week. This saw the contestants visiting the following locations each week:
- Week 1: Cakes – Cotswolds
- Week 2: Biscuits – Scone Palace, Perthshire
- Week 3: Bread – Sarre Windmill, Kent
- Week 4: Puddings – Bakewell, Derbyshire
- Week 5: Pastry – Mousehole, Cornwall
- Week 6: Tea party – Fulham Palace, London
We wonder why this idea didn't last past season one…
Can you visit The Great British Bake Off tent?
Given that the Bake Off tent is assembled for just a few weeks each year, it's sadly not available to visit to ogle at the latest KitchenAid kit and relive the chaos and inevitable meltdowns of bread week in.
That said, you can definitely pay the beautiful estate that Bake Off filming takes places on a visit.
Having been privately owned by the same family for more than 400 years, though you can't simply rock up to the estate at your leisure, Welford House puts on a range of event each year, including its 2024 Spectacle of Light event.
Running from October 18 to November 10, 2024, the event allows visitors to stroll the grounds under the stars, with the estate illuminated by light features.
And if you can't make it this year then fear not, because Welford House also opens up each winter to allow visitors to admire their snowdrop woodlands between January 29 and March 2, 2025.
Though notably sans enormous white Bake Off tent, we dare you to come up with a more wholesome winter day trip.
And in case you are itching for a Bake Off tent-like experience, The Big London Bake is perhaps the next best thing.
Bake Off season is upon us!
