The show may be over on screen but you can keep the memories alive with a visit to these fabulous and familiar top 10 Downton Abbey filming locations.
1. Highclere Castle, Berkshire
Situated in the Hampshire countryside 70 miles outside London, Highclere is Downton Abbey. Home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, whose family have lived there since 1679, exterior shots of the house and most of the interior upstairs activity was filmed there. Highclere Castle is open for 60 to 70 days each year: two weeks over Easter; each of the May Bank holidays; two months (Sunday to Thursday) over the summer months; and, a few days in early December.
2. Bampton, Oxfordshire
Bampton village, Oxfordshire, doubles as the fictional village of Downton. Several location such as St Mary’s Church and Bampton Library appear regularly in the series. St Mary’s Church in particular has been the setting for many key scenes, such as Mary and Matthew’s wedding and Lady Edith’s jilting at the altar. You can visit Bampton at any time.
3. West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire
The grand estate and house serves as the interior of Aunt Rosamund’s London home at 35 Belgrave Square. It is open from April to August, but times vary.
4. Cogges Manor Farm, Oxfordshire
Once a working farm and now a heritage centre, Cogges Manor Farm is better known as Yew Tree Farm in Downton Abbey. The farm has appeared in several series, first under the tenancy of Mr Drewe and later the new farm of Mr Mason. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5pm.
5. Inveraray Castle, Argyll and Bute
The castle on the west coast of Scotland, the home of the Duke of Argyll, appears as Duneagle Castle, the home of the Grantham’s cousins, Lord and Lady Flincher. Inveraray Castle is open from 1 April to 31 October, from 10am to 5.45pm.
6. Lancaster House, St James’s, London
Lancaster House is one of London’s hidden treasures. Its glamorous interior was used to portray Buckingham Palace, where Lady Rose gave her debutante presentation. Viewable from the outside at any time and is available for events.
7. Horsted Keynes Station, Sussex
Horsted Keynes Station in Sussex serves as Downton Railway Station. Part of the Bluebell Railway, the steam train experience is a real taste of days gone by.
8. Basildon Park, Berkshire
Basildon Park provides the interior for Grantham House, the family’s London residence and was the grand setting for the preparation for Lady Rose’s coming out ball and Rose and Atticus’s wedding. Basildon Park is usually open daily from 10am or 12am to 5pm or dusk. A Downton Abbey tour is available every day from 11.30am.
9. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Alnwick Castle was transformed in Brancaster Castle, the holiday base for Lord Sinderby’s shooting party. There is a Downton Abbey exhibition which features photography, costumes and props from the episode. Alnwick is usually open daily from 10am to 5.30pm.
10. Criterion Restaurant, Piccadilly, London
Opened in 1873, the Criterion Restaurant in Piccadilly Circus was one of the world’s oldest restaurants. It’s where Michael Gregson took Lady Edith to share his plans to become a German citizen so that they could marry. The restaurant can now only be seen from the outside at any time, as it closed last year.
And there’s no need to stop there, this interactive map from Wayfair.co.uk lists 71 Downton Abbey locations, and is a comprehensive resource of images, addresses, contact information and insider tips so you can keep going on your Downton adventures.
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