Egyptian-themed locations and props UK

There’s a Pyramid on the grounds of Balmoral in the highlands

I have done a couple of Ancient Egypt shoots as I really like the colours and their art. I made some of the props and bought some off eBay (reproductions still made and shipped from Egypt). The vinyl backdrop I had custom printed in China from a high resolution .jpeg that I sent them (also found the custom print manufacturer on eBay).

I found this website that might give you a few leads, https://heritagecalling.com/2020/03/26/ancient-egypt-in-england/ (there's even more suggestions in the comments under the photos) and of course, there is always the famous Cleopatra's Needle on Victoria Embankment, London, which has a pair of large bronze Sphinx statues sitting at its base. (The benches nearby also have Ancient Egyptian themed ends to them).

If you ever want to shoot with me for this, I have Isis wings and some cleopatra-style jewelry:-) I can also direct you to some performers in Leicestershire who have some incredible Egyptian god animal heads (worn with metallic body paint) if you want to try a shoot with them?

As an Egyptian dancer, I have looked for things like this for promo shoots and unfortunately I don't think the UK has many good options. A vinyl backdrop sounds like a good idea. Also shooting on a beach and doing a bit of photoshop?

Saturn Studio Wakefield also had some excellent Ancient Egypt props, But I'm not sure if they are still going.

Many thanks for all the replies - I'll be following up these shortly.

FYI, prior to posting, I'd found the following:

The 'look'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing_in_ancient_Egypt#Women

https://www.openschool.bc.ca/courses/ss7_OLD/egypt/lesson6.html

https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egcl06e.html

Unless intending to be Cleopatra (search for 'cleopatra images'), the dress style seems to be fairly simple but it's in the jewellery that makes the difference. Hair would seem to be straight and cut level, then there are the eyes.

Location

This is a bit more problematic. It's a bit too much for my flat to be turned into a temple or Tutankhamun's tomb, though the idea of creating a background is interesting and a few props for closer-up work may go a long way.

As for exteriors or large spaces, let's put an all expenses paid trip to Luxor at one end of the scale, closely followed by hiring Harrods (search for 'harrods egyptian interior images') but there have been fads for all things Egyptian in the UK - see

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Revival_architecture_in_the_British_Isles

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/tsalt100/egyptian-interior-design/

https://www.discoverbritainmag.com/discover_the_wonders_of_egypt_here_in_britain_1_3787926/

To be practical, and as a most likely one-off shoot, I'll be working on the 'less is more' principle.

Thread has sadly reminded me that I always wanted to shoot at the Homebase in Kensington for it's Egyptian walls. Gone and turned into Luxury Flats now (what a shocker)

Legoland in Windsor?

No harm in asking - they may have a window between times they're open to the public for you to shoot.

Probably not what you want but they have lots of statuary inside, not really egyptian though:

Windfalls Boutique Hotel near Gatwick, London and Brighton

I've shot models there and the owner is very helpful. She even left me with the keys once whilst she buggered off to Ireland for a funeral.

I think I'd consider a painted backdrop, and maybe designing the shoot around not asking the audience to suspend disbelief.

Let it be clear it's a backdrop; include the wall behind it or use it outdoors in some useful location.

Or do something I'm interested in: go double-historical.

That is, don't just style an egyptian-style shoot. Style a 1920s promotional shoot on an Egyptian theme, with a painted backdrop on C-stands. Use theatre-style lighting. In an old church hall. Make it look like behind the scenes.

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

Biddulph Grange have an Egypt Garden but it’s National Trust

Bit of a tricky one, but I think this is the waiting room on platform 2 of Mansfield railway station:

A R G E N T U M said

Bit of a tricky one, but I think this is the waiting room on platform 2 of Mansfield railway station:

Mansfield railway station eh? Then it's an astoundingly good replica of the burial chamber in Tutankhamun's tomb...

Richard Bradford said

A R G E N T U M said

Bit of a tricky one, but I think this is the waiting room on platform 2 of Mansfield railway station:

Mansfield railway station eh? Then it's an astoundingly good replica of the burial chamber in Tutankhamun's tomb...

So the waiting room is blank-walled and empty and this is a CGI "projection" onto the walls?

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

I’m in Leicester so not too far from you, and I have a very high quality Egyptian sarcophagus prop (full size) and some painted/textured background panels in the style of an Egyptian tomb. I don’t know how to attach pictures on here but if it’s of interest message me and I’ll send pics.

Steve