Downton Abbey Filming locations and Highclere Castle
This day trip includes entry to Highclere Castle and Yew Tree Farm, plus a visit to Downton Village and Downton Church. This day trip is operated in a 49/53 seater coach with an expert Downton Abbey guide.
May 2018 now available. If you are travelling in 2018 our full list of dates will be added in the near future. To register your interest email info@internationalfriends.co.uk and we will then contact you when all dates are available to book.
Visit the filming sites associated with Downton Abbey in the morning, and enjoy an afternoon in Highclere Castle, the Grantham family home in the series.
Depart London and drive away from the city to the delightful Oxfordshire Cotswolds to see key filming sites of Downton Abbey. Our first stop is a visit to Yew Tree Farm (Cogges Manor Farm), home of the Downton Abbey tenant farmers. The historic farmyard and 13th century manor house sits on the banks of the River Windrush and first appeared in Downton Abbey in series 4. In series 5 the farm becomes home to the secret love child of Lady Edith, and in series 6 Mr.Mason moves in with the help of Daisy.
After a tea/coffee break on arrival in the delightfully refurbished rustic cow shed Café at Cogges, we take a tour and learn of the relationship between the tenant farmers and landowners, showing the sites used in filming.
All International Friends groups are allowed a private tour of Yew Tree Farm Manor House (Cogges Manor House) before it opens to the public!!
After the tour we drive to 'Downton Village', real name Bampton, a beautiful village in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. The village of Bampton has been used extensively in all series of Downton Abbey for Downton Village filming. Bampton Library was used for Downton Cottage Hospital and Doctors surgery; St.Mary's Church became Downton Church and Church Square; Churchgate House was used for exterior shots for the Crawley family home; and we will have time to walk along the street which has been used for shops, the Post Office and the Grantham Arms.
In the early afternoon we make our way to the Grantham Family home, Highclere Castle. On arrival at Highclere Castle there will be time to enjoy the beautiful gardens; The Monk’s Garden, White Border, Secret Garden and Wood of Goodwill. There will be time for lunch, or a snack in the Tearooms where you can enjoy light lunches or afternoon teas made in the Castle kitchens, before we enter Highclere Castle for an afternoon visit. Our tickets are valid to enter the Castle from 13:30pm-15:30pm (Castle closes at 16:30pm), and we plan to arrive at the Castle by 13:00. There is plenty of time to have lunch, enjoy the grounds and enter the Castle.
The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679. Major rebuilding work was carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in 1838, the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon brought in Sir Charles Barry to transform his home into a truly stunning mansion. During the First World War the Castle was transformed into a hospital, returning to a private home in 1922.
To this day the current (8th) Earl and Countess of Carnarvon live partly in the Castle and partly nearby, but remain closely involved in the Castle's day to day life and future.
On entry to Highclere Castle visitors follow a route through the Castle through with guides in each State room. The State rooms include the Saloon, Library, Dining room, Music room, Drawing room and Smoking room. Visitors can then go up the Red Stairs to view some of the Bedrooms and the Gallery, before walking down the Oak staircase back to the Saloon in the heart of the house.
Tour Inclusions
- Travel by executive coach
- Expert, friendly Downton Abbey specialist guide.
- Entry to Yew Tree Farm with private exclusive tour of the house.
- Visit to Downton Village (Bampton) with entry to the building used for Downton Cottage Hospital.
- Entry and tour of Highclere Castle and Gardens
Tour Exclusions
- Food
- Gratuities
Important note about cancellations - Due to the very limited availability of Highclere Castle tickets all bookings for this day trip are 100% non refundable.
Departure point – London
07:20am - Great Russell Street, outside British Museum. WC1B 3DG (MAP)
07:30am - Great Portland Street tube, outside International Student House, London W1W 5PN (MAP)
07:40am - Outside Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch. W1C 1LZ (MAP)
08:00am - Outside Premier Inn, Knaresborogh Place, London (MAP)
Return to London
The coach will drop off at Victoria coach and train station, which has excellent links for forward travel throughout London and beyond. We usually arrive back in central London by 18.30pm, depending on traffic conditions.
Disclaimer: International Friends Downton Abbey day trips and tours are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way supported, directly or indirectly, by Carnival Films, NBC Universal or Julian Fellowes and his representatives.
