The Tallis House

To start off, the story takes place in the year of 1935.  It was a hot summer, just before World War II.  We are presented with most shots taking place at the Tallis household, situated in the English country side.  With many shots of the Tallis property and mansion - which is owned by Caroline Magnus, the viewers see the Tallis household up close and personal, both indoors and outdoors.  Inside the old fashioned Victorian estate, we notice it is quite dark throughout the halls, with some rooms being very bright and fresh.  Outside, we notice plenty of greenery and a particular large fountain directly across from the mansion that is excessive of windows.  With such great shots of the landscape, we grasp a sense of suffocation.  There are forests surrounding the mansion, and the Tallis' house is in the country.  Although the Tallis' live in a large, beautiful home, most of the rooms are rarely used.  Most scenes were shot outdoors, and the library was the room that was shot the most of, although it was dark so we did not see much.  Robbie Turner, the household keepers son, lived with his mother down - but still on the property - the road at the Tallis' cottage.

Here you can find detailed location of where most of the scenes were shot:
http://movie-locations.com/movies/a/Atonement.html#.UcdZ1hajLww

To read more on the history of the house, see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/shropshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8589000/8589150.stm