Downton Abbey Filming Locations and Highclere Castle

We depart London to begin our Downton Abbey day out! Firstly, we'll drive through the delightful and charming Cotswolds which double up for Yorkshire in the Downton Abbey TV series and the recent Downton Abbey films. 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.

 

Next stop on our day trip is Bampton village, which any Downton Abbey fan 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 were transformed into the Grantham Arms pub, the Dog and Duck, Mrs Patmore’s Bed and Breakfast and the village post office. Souvenir hunters will love the little gift shop here where Downton memorabilia can be purchased.

 

Next stop is our visit to 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, both in the TV series and the hit film. 

 

See the dining room, scene of some of Violet's most wonderful 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. After your visit to Downton Abbey, our day trip ends and we return to London, after a wonderful day of discovery for any Downton Abbey fan!

 

• 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.