Downton Abbey Highclere Castle Special Events

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 - Fully refundable and amendable up until 14 days before travel

 

Highclere Castle - Mid Summer Special Guided Tours in June 2024

Real Lives & Film Sets Guided Tours 2024 - September to November 2024 - To be followed with exact dates to be confirmed soon.

 

Mid Summer Special Guided Tours available in June 2024

A truly exclusive event at Highclere Castle with strictly limited numbers of 60 guests per visit at Highclere Castle each day!

Included on this fantastic small group day trip from London;

  • Small group experience, with a maximum of 16 people per vehicle, accompanied by a Downton Abbey expert guide.
  • Entry to Highclere Castle & Gardens, with a special tour by expert Highclere Castle guides.
  • A signed copy of Lady Carnarvon's beautiful book "Season's at Highclere".
  • Complimentary refreshments, for example homemade scones, quiches, soups, cakes and sandwiches.
  • See the main filming locations including Downton Village and Church.
  • Explore hidden filming sites that the big coaches cannot get to in the stunning Cotswolds.

The perfect day out for Downton Abbey fans! A small group exclusive full day tour, accompanied by a Downton superfan guide, taking you to the actual filming locations of the award winning drama including Downton village and Downton Abbey itself, the magnificent Highclere Castle.

Leaving London we head westwards into the delightful Cotswold hills. This beautiful part of the country with its honey coloured limestone cottages doubles up for Yorkshire in the hit series. Along the way you and a small group of Downton fans will be treated to fun facts, behind the scenes gossip and a wealth of history about the area you will be travelling through. Meandering off the beaten track we will come across the Swan Inn in the village of Swinbrook where Tom Branson and Lady Sybil were persuaded not to elope. Over the rolling hills to beautiful Shilton, we arrive at the pub John Bates was working in when he left Downton under pressure from his estranged wife Vera, breaking Anna's heart in the process.
 
We then move on to Bampton which takes on the role of Downton village in the show. Your guide will now take you on a walk showing you where many of the storylines were filmed. This includes St Mary's Church which doubles for St Michael and All Angels. Here, us viewers witnessed weddings, funerals and a jilting! Who can forget a heartbroken Edith, or a laughing Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes being showered by confetti and the beautiful wedding of Mary and Matthew.
 
Walk down to the village green to see Mrs Crawley's house and the terraced home of Mr Molesley. See where the War Memorial stood and the two village pubs, The 'Dog and Duck' and the 'Grantham Arms'. See the location of the village post office and enter the Cottage Hospital which now houses a Downton-related gift shop.
 
After you have enjoyed your informative small group tour of the filming locations we make the journey over to Highclere Castle, home of the Eighth Earl of Carnarvon. This journey will give you the opportunity to ask your guide about their favourite characters, best loved scenes and storylines, along with the funniest quotes. You will be able to have lunch at one of the Tearooms or cafes at Highclere Castle. However, you will be treated to complimentary refreshments all served by the team from the Coach House as part of the special event.
 
For this tour the castle and grounds are open exclusively to 60 guests each tour and when you arrive you will then be divided into three smaller groups of 20 guests where your eye-opening tour of the house begins. Head up the drive, through the beautiful landscaped gardens, and along the gravel to the main door of 'Downton Abbey'. The tour of the house includes the location of the grand staircase and saloon, Robert's library room, the parlour, sitting room, breakfast room and dining room. Upstairs you will see the bedrooms, noticing where Kemal Pamuk had his untimely death and where footman Jimmy Kent was found in an embarrassing position with Lady Anstruther.
 
In the cellars one will not find Mrs Patmore and Daisy working on dinner for the household and guests, instead there is an Egyptian Exhibition focusing on Tutankhamen and the involvement of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and the opening of the tomb in 1922 along with leading archaeologist Howard Carter. There is an extensive display of antiquities from the Valley of the Nobles and the Valley of the Queens.
 
After the tour has finished enjoy Afternoon Tea style refreshments served by Lord and Lady Carnarvon's staff in the Coach House. There will be sandwiches and quiches and all manner of delicious cakes. Feel free to explore the grounds and gardens before we return back to London.

 

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. 

 

 

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Please ensure you arrive at your allocated departure point at least 10 minutes before your departure time.

TimeDeparture point
  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 Cumberland Hotel main entrance, Marble Arch (formerly the Hard Rock Hotel). (MAP) 
Nearest tube station is Marble Arch

  07:45am

 Outside Gloucester Road Tube station, meet at the station exit. (MAP)

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

TOUR TIMINGS

 TimeDestination

Departs

Arrives

7:45am

9:30am

Central London

Cotswolds Filming Locations 

Departs

Arrives

10:30am

11:15am

Cotswolds Filming Locations via Shilton & Swinbrook

Bampton

Departs

Arrives

11:45pm

1:00pm

Bampton

Highclere Castle

Departs

Arrives

4:15pm

6:30pm

Highclere Castle

London Victoria Station 

 

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 arrive back in London.

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

Helpful Information about the day of your Tour

Downton Abbey Highclere Castle Special Events

 

  • Are the meeting points easy to find? 

    • YES! All are within short walking distances of tube and bus stops, and very easy access for taxis. We recommend you arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the departure time. Your International Friends day trip has been carefully planned to ensure maximum enjoyment, which sadly means we cannot delay our departure times to wait for latecomers. This would impact the day's itinerary and could mean we miss booked entry times at certain attractions. If you are running late please phone the emergency number and our team will help you. If you miss the departure for your tour, you are welcome to join the tour at the first scheduled stop. Any expenses incurred in doing so will be at your own expense. Refunds cannot be issued for passengers who miss their tours departure through lateness.

  • How will I identify the International Friends vehicle at the meeting point? 

    • Depending on the number of people travelling on a particular day we use 8 or 16 seater executive vehicles. On arrival at the pick up location the guide/driver will announce themselves, will be holding a sign reading “International Friends” and will be aware of your names ready to welcome you on board.

  • How much time at each sightseeing stop? 

    • Bampton - You will have approximately 30 minutes in Bampton where you will see the Church, the cottage hospital, the village green & the post office

    • Highclere Castle - We will spend around 3 hours exploring Lord Grantham's family seat, Downton Abbey itself. Time to visit the magnificent gardens, tea rooms and the Egyptology exhibition in the basement of the castle itself.

  • Are entries into the attractions included in my ticket price? 

    • The day trip includes entry into Bampton Library & Highclere Castle.

  • Will we get to meet any of the cast of Downton Abbey? 

    • We never say never! However it is very unlikely. Sadly when filming is taking place most of the locations are shut off to the general public. You will however be immersed in the history and story of the hit drama as your guide shows you many of the locations that as a fan of the series, we are sure you will recognise. We do ask all customers to please be mindful that places such as Bampton are not film sets. You will be visiting villages with peoples homes, please be respectful of their privacy.

  • How can I find out more information about the  attractions we will see on this tour? 

  • Is food and drink included in my tour? 

    • Unless specifically stated as part of the itinerary, our tours do not include food and drink. There will be opportunities to buy food whilst touring, and to maximise time spent sightseeing you are welcome to bring a packed lunch with you. Complimentary refreshments are included for certain special events at Highclere Castle. 

  • Can I bring food and drink onboard the vehicle?  

    • There is to be NO Hot Food or Beverages (exception if hot beverage is in a sealed reusable thermal cup) on board the coaches due to the risk of scalds or burns and smells remaining on board the vehicle. Only Cold food & beverages with screw top lids are to be taken on board any vehicle. All litter must be taken from the vehicle and disposed of appropriately.

  • How much walking is involved in this tour? 

    • Bampton - Approximately 200 - 250 yards between the Pub, Church and Post Office.

    • Highclere Castle - In the Castle itself there is very limited walking and some stairs. If you choose to explore the Gardens there will be 30-45 minutes walking involved.

  • What should I wear?

    • British weather can be variable and so guests are advised to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. It is recommended to bring some warm clothes with you especially in the winter months and layers are good for adapting to the ever-changing weather conditions. It is a good idea to wear appropriate footwear as there is walking involved on our tours. England is known for its rain so it is advisable to bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella with you. 

  • How many people will be joining this tour? 

    • This is one of our Small & Friendly tours. You will benefit from being in a small group of maximum 18 people.

  • Do we need to tip staff? 

    • Tips are entirely at the customer’s discretion and in no way expected. Should you feel inclined to tip, your driver or guide would be grateful, but you should not feel obliged. A 10% tip is considered customary in the UK.

  • What time do we arrive back in London?

    • We aim to arrive back in London at approximately 6:30pm. Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. 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.

This tour is not available to book online, please email [email protected]



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