In the Downton Abbey series, the village is depicted as being a short distance from the house, likely a 1–3 mile, 20–45 minute walk, allowing characters to easily travel between them. However, in reality, the filming locations are separated: Highclere Castle (the Abbey) and Bampton (the village) are about 40 miles or a one-hour drive apart.
Highclere offers different tours throughout the year, which reflect the seasons, the history and of course Downton Abbey. Most of our tours require you to pre-book, so do check before travelling! If you have booked tickets and would like to reserve a manual wheelchair, please contact us below.
The Oxfordshire Cotswolds and its picturesque villages frequently appeared in the popular TV drama Downton Abbey. Visit the filming locations across Oxford; see the home of the Crowley's and let your imagination bring you back into the early 1900s fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey.
The village location for Downton Abbey, doubling for the fictional Yorkshire village, is primarily Bampton in Oxfordshire, England, a picturesque Cotswold town known for its historic architecture, including the church (St Mary's), library (cottage hospital), and village pubs used throughout the series. Other surrounding locations in Oxfordshire and beyond, like Swinbrook and Cogges, also feature as parts of the wider Downton area.
How truthful is Downton Abbey? In most respects, very. The one element that does not ring true is the easy interaction and conversation between the upstairs world of the family and their peers and the downstairs world of the hired help. That just didn't happen (or at least not on such a scale).
Downton Abbey: What You Didn't Know About The Shooting Place
How much is a ticket to visit Highclere Castle?
Highclere Castle ticket prices vary significantly by event, ranging from around £32 for general summer/spring adult entry to £85-£150+ for special guided tours with afternoon tea or movie themes; expect around £17.50-£18 for children (4-16) for basic access, with family tickets available, and carer tickets often free with a paying disabled visitor.
Why was Maggie Smith written out of Downton Abbey?
Maggie Smith left Downton Abbey because she found the role draining, felt her character's arc was complete, and wanted to move on to other projects, with her departure culminating in the Dowager Countess's death in the second film, A New Era, a decision producer Gareth Neame found easy as Smith often expressed wanting to be "killed off". She signed contracts annually, never committing to stay forever, and expressed a desire to return to the stage and screen, feeling the show had reached a natural end with her character's story.
Are the Crawleys of Downton Abbey a real family? The fictional Crawleys are based on the Earls and Countesses of Carnarvon, who still reside at Highclere Castle, where the series is filmed (though the fictional Downton Abbey is in Yorkshire, rather than Hampshire, where Highclere is).
They would also behave as a counsellor, confidant, and the person she would trust to make the best decisions for her own good. Do Ladies' Maids Still Exist? Yes, they still exist. Although the position has evolved over the years, the role is the same in essence: looking after the lady of the house.
Today, Highclere is home to George Herbert and his wife Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Lord and Lady Carnarvon), owners of the 'real' Downton Abbey castle.
I am a Downton Abbey fan, but there were a few people on the tour that must watch the show multiple times based upon their knowledge of the locations. Overall, this was a wonderful excursion out of busy London which provided a glimpse into the Cotswolds and the beautiful filming locations. Highly recommend.
The Downton Abbey (TV Series 2025–2028) A Historical Drama Starring Tom Cruise and Laura Carmichael Enter the lavish world of “The Downton Abbey,” the long-awaited historical drama series, set to premiere in 2025 and run through 2028.
Who is Lord Grantham's illegitimate son in Downton?
She knows that Thomas is the illegitimate son of O'Brien and Lord Grantham – and the rightful heir to the house. She knows it will kill her husband to see an illegitimate child inherit Downton Abbey and she has waited a long time for this moment.
Who is the most beloved character in Downton Abbey?
The best Downton Abbey characters
Lady Edith Crawley. ...
Lady Mary Crawley. ...
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. ...
Cora Crawley. ...
Tom Branson. ...
Thomas Barrow. ...
Charles Carson. ...
John and Anna Bates. These two come as a pair because their dramatic, and often traumatic, love story has been the backdrop of most of the Downton Abbey series.
But he still isn't sorry about leaving, adding that it was the right thing to do. "Everybody, including my wife, was incredibly supportive of the decision and it wasn't made lightly or easily but it really felt the right thing to do," says Stevens.
In a 2023 interview with The Times, Dench had previously said that grieving for her felt “unbelievably cathartic. You fortify yourself and use what you are going through as energy. Like petrol. It has helped me cope with the pain.”
Daisy began her journey at Downton Abbey as a belabored kitchen maid, but eventually the estate's revered cook Mrs. Patmore took her under her wing. She married the dying William Mason during the series and later settled down with Andrew Parker, a footman in the house who has now taken over for Mr. Carson.
'There are around 200 to 300 rooms and between 50 to 80 bedrooms,' says Fiona, 8th Countess of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, the ancestral home propelled to fame as the location for Downton Abbey in the popular TV series.
Guests are also welcome to visit the Gift Shop and explore the Gardens at leisure. Please note that the gates to the Castle and Grounds close promptly at 4:00pm, due to earlier sunsets at this time of year. The dress code for the event is smart/casual. Please wear sensible footwear for the Gardens.
