Where Was 'Practical Magic 2' Filmed? Coastal Massachusetts Moves Over for Southern England

On Location peels back the curtain on some of your favorite films, television shows, and more. This time, we take a look at Practical Magic 2.

In 1998, Hollywood starlets Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock played Gillian and Sally Owens, two sisters in possession of special powers in Practical Magic, a film adapted from the eponymous Alice Hoffman novel. Set in the witch-rich state of Massachusetts , the outcasted siblings attempt to lift their ancestral curse, which strikes dead any man who falls in love with an Owens woman. As they embark on this harrowing journey, spells are cast, midnight margaritas are made, and matriarchy reigns supreme.

At the time, the film’s reception was middling at best, with a New York Times review describing it as “Barbie Joins a Coven”, and its performance at the box office not much better. With a little room to breathe and bask in nostalgia’s rose-colored glow, the movie has transformed into a feminist cult classic with Gen X and Gen Z fans alike. From 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple to The Devil Wears Prada 2 , the past year has been a boon for follow-up films. In that same vein, Kidman and Bullock have reunited in Practical Magic 2 , a sequel directed by Susanne Bier that promises to delight fans and take us across the pond to a whole new continent of spooky locales.

Faithfully recreating the iconic Owens family house was a top priority for the sequel.

Another generation of the coven-loving lives on in Practical Magic 2 , which picks up after a sizable time jump but with more of the same kooky hijinks. A generous interpretation of time, and a little movie magic, lands Sally’s daughters Antonia (Maisie Williams) and Kylie (Joey King) in their early 20s. Up until now, they have lived their lives ignorant to their powers, which their mother has deliberately shielded them from. Medical student Antonia most closely resembles her mother, while Kylie, now a Harvard student, is a bit more of a free spirit. When Kylie falls for sweet Gideon (Xolo Maridueña) and then he falls into a coma, she follows her mother’s path of attempting to right things. Counseled by the recently uncovered Book of the Raven, Kylie sets off to her family’s ancestral home of England , bringing much of the story to English territory.

While the original movie used Washington State's Whidbey Island as a stand-in for New England , production for the sequel moved to the United Kingdom. Here are all the places where Practical Magic 2 was filmed.

The original house was recreated from scratch on a backlot at Hertfordshire's Leavesden Studios.

The Owens women remain the main characters in this film, and fans of the original film will recall the outstanding Victorian-style Owens family home. The house itself has reached a cult status with its cutesy cottage core aesthetic, and its recreation was crucial to the making of the sequel. Practical Magic 2’s production notes explain the importance of the revival of the house. Producer Denise De Novi felt that bringing the house back to life was one of the most rewarding components of making this movie. “The house in this movie is just a phenomenon,” she noted.

In the first film, the exterior of the house was built on San Juan Island in Washington state, and the interiors were created on a soundstage in Los Angeles . Those structures no longer exist so this time around, production designer Tom Burton determined that the most economical option was to build the house from scratch on the back lot at Leavesden Studios.

Great care was taken to ensure that the replica was consistent with the original home, including establishing the same positioning to the sun so that the sun would set in the same position as it did in the original film. Once the house’s construction was almost complete, the greens team descended upon the set to bring the renowned garden to life, with over 4,000 plants brought in. While about half of the 55 shooting days were spent at Leavesden Studios, the remainder were shot at several notable locations in and around the London area.

Over 4,000 different plants were brought in to fill out the bucolic surroundings of the Owens house.

The quaint village of Hambleden, just west of London, served as the town Thornfield. The center of the village is filled with old, picturesque brick and flint cottages, all with the signature dormer windows.

Nicole Kidman reprises her role as Gillian Owns for the sequel.

British viewers might take notice of this historic pub, which serves at the exterior of the fictional Thornfield Inn just northwest of London. The Royal Standard, which has been around for over 900 years, claims to be the oldest pub in Great Britain. Located in the Chiltern Hills, the scenic old pub is filled with charm and has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including The Theory of Everything , Hot Fuzz , and Too Much . Oysters, fish and chips, and a robust beer list are on offer, and Quiz Night is every Tuesday.

Langlebury is a vacant 18th-century period house that has served as a backdrop for several notable productions including Downton Abbey , The Crown , and Paddington . The crew utilized this mansion to stand in for rooms at Harvard University as well as some of the UK lodgings.

The private 2,700-acre estate boasting an opera pavilion, cricket grounds, and a walled garden served as the backdrop for the cottage of Tom Lockland (Solly McLeod), a longtime magic student at Thornfield.

Langleybury Mansion has long served as an iconic backdrop, making appearances in projects ranging from Downton Abbey to Paddington .

Practical Magic 2 features sweeping views of the British rolling hills and conifer forests. Black Park, a large park with woodland trails, horse riding, and a lake, was filmed as the forest surrounding Thornfield.

The historic Royal Hospital Chelsea in London is a retirement and nursing home for British Army veterans who have reached the state pension age. The hospital was founded by Charles II in 1692, and it has maintained its grand property while modernizing to fit the present-day needs of its inhabitants. The impressive grounds with brick buildings and Roman columns were used in the film for a flower market and shots meant to be Harvard University exteriors.

Sandra Bullock (left) as Sally Owens and Lee Pace (right) as Ian Wright

The tattoo-covered Professor Ian Wright (Lee Pace), who quickly becomes Sally’s love interest, is one of the more charming updates in this sequel. His apartment was shot in these flats.