Downton Abbey and the Stately Homes of England

Summary

The hit TV drama Downton Abbey transfers to the big screen in September 2019 and is certain to be hugely popular among fans of the ongoing saga featuring the lives and loves of Lord Grantham, his family and their servants. The principal film location for Downton Abbey is Highclere Castle in Berkshire, which itself has become one of the most popular destinations in the country. We are delighted to have secured access to the Castle where we will see many of the state rooms and bedrooms that feature in the show, as well as the fascinating Egyptian Exhibition which tells the story of the Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter’s thrilling archaeological discoveries.

Complementing this are visits to some of the outstanding stately homes and picturesque villages in the surrounding area, many of which have themselves featured as film and TV locations. These include Basildon Park (Pride and Prejudice), Lacock village (Cranford) and Blenheim Palace (Spectre). There are also further Downton connections at Bampton, used for many outdoor scenes, and Waddesdon Manor, an opulent Rothschild mansion that doubled as ‘Haxby Park’.

Tour highlights:

Previous

Next

• The first glimpse of Highclere Castle, instantly recognizable from the opening titles of Downton Abbey
• Bampton village, used for various outdoor locations in Downton
• Sumptuous interiors at Blenheim Palace and Waddesdon Manor
• Classic Palladian architecture at Basildon Park
• Romantic award-winning Harold Peto garden at Iford Manor