Downton Abbey Filming Locations and Highclere Castle
Enter the grand and elegant world of Downton Abbey, discover the locations used in the hit TV series, join your knowledgeable guide and long time fan who will take you to explore Downton village, St Mary's Church, Yew Tree Farm and majestic Downton Abbey itself.
- Travel by executive coach with an expert guide
- Entry included to Highclere Castle
- Visit Downton Village, Downton Farm and Downton Church
- If your date is not showing as available in the 'Book this Tour' box we have more dates available on our small group day trip and a Highclere Castle Express service. Click here for details.
- Departures available from London and Oxford
We head west of London to the delightful and charming Cotswolds which double up for Yorkshire in the Downton Abbey TV series. Here we can explore honey coloured villages and gentle rolling hills as we head over to the centuries-old farm at Cogges. We can enjoy a stroll though the farmyard and fields and say hello to the friendly animals that live here. We will learn of the role Cogges played in Downton Abbey as Yew Tree Farm, home of the Drewe family and the place where Lady Edith's daughter Marigold was raised. Take your seats in the Manor House for a specially recorded documentary centred on a day's filming here then relax over a coffee in the old milking barn.
A short drive through the Cotswolds will take us to Bampton which fans will immediately recognise as Downton Village. Here we can explore the church and graveyard at St Mary's where some of the characters have their final resting place. Inside the church we can see where many of them married, and at least one was jilted. Outside is Mrs Crawley's house and the village green. The Cottage Hospital lies next door and we can see the houses that they transformed into the Grantham Arms pub, the Dog and Duck and the village post office. Souvenir hunters will love the little gift shop here where Downton memorabilia can be purchased.
Next up is stately Downton Abbey itself! The magnificent house was designed by Charles Barry for the Earls of Carnarvon and Highclere Castle is still the home of the 8th Earl today. But for many of us this beautiful house and the landscaped gardens by "Capability" Brown will always be the house and grounds of Downton Abbey.
See the dining room, scene of some of Violet's most well loved comments, Lord Robert's library, the sitting room, the family bedrooms and walk down the grand staircase to the salon. Check out the Tutenkhamun and Egyptology exhibition in the basement and learn of the 5th Earl's expeditions to the Valley of the Kings. Explore the landscaped grounds and gardens and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea in the restaurant. Don't forget to visit some of the filming locations outside on other parts of estate. All in all a wonderful day of discovery for any Downton Abbey fan!
- Important note about cancellations - Due to the very limited availability of Highclere Castle tickets all bookings for this day trip are 100% non refundable.
- This day trip is operated in partnership with Oxfordshire Cotswolds tourism. All destination images used have been provided by Oxfordshire Cotswolds. For further details of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds please go to http://www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org
- 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.
- Please note that Highclere Castle is a private residence, and as such reserve the right to close part or all of the Castle, Gardens or exhibition at short notice. As such, the itinerary for this tour is subject to change at any time.
- International Friends would like to politely remind our guests to please bear in mind that although used as a filming location, Bampton is not a film set, and is home to many residents. Disrespectful behaviour, such as taking photographs through front room windows, sitting on or causing damage to residential property, or causing any distress to the residents of Bampton will not be tolerated. Any guests found to behave in this way may be asked to leave the tour and make their way back to London at their own expense.
| Time | Destination | |
|---|---|---|
| Departs Arrives |
08:00am 09:30am |
Central London Cogges Farm |
| Departs Arrives |
10:30am 11:00am |
Cogges Farm Bampton |
| Departs Arrives |
12:00pm 1:00pm |
Bampton Highclere Castle |
| Departs Arrives |
5:00pm 6:30pm |
Highclere Castle London Victoria |
Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. Due to the changeable nature of road conditions, we cannot guarantee a precise time when you will get back to London, it is usually between 6-7pm.
On the return to London your driver will drop you at Victoria Train Station in the city centre. This is one of the largest transport stations in London, with excellent connections to all parts of London and beyond.
Please ensure you arrive at your allocated departure point at least 10 minutes before your departure time.
| Time | London departure points |
|---|---|
| 07:15am | Outside The British Museum main entrance on Great Russell Street (MAP). Nearest tube stations are Holborn or Tottenham Court Road. |
| 07:30am | Outside the Hard Rock Hotel main entrance, Marble Arch (formerly the Cumberland Hotel). (MAP) Nearest tube station is Marble Arch |
| 07:45am | Outside Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road (MAP) (wait on Cromwell road by the bus stop, not outside the hotel entrance) Nearest tube station is Gloucester Road |
If you intend to travel to our central London meeting points by public transport, you can plan your journey in advance on the Transport for London website - click here
| Time | Oxford departure point |
|---|---|
|
09:15am |
Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15 - 16 Broad Street (MAP) Please note you will be returned to Oxford by taxi after the tour. |