Downton Abbey Filming Locations You Can Visit
One of the reasons Downton Abbey became such a global success is the beauty of the locations used throughout the series.
From grand country houses to picturesque English villages, many of the places seen on screen are real historic locations that visitors can explore today.
The most famous filming location is Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey, but several other locations across southern England were used during filming.
If you are planning a trip to see these locations, you can compare available tours here:
Highclere Castle & Downton Abbey tours from London
Highclere Castle – The Real Downton Abbey
The grand house used as Downton Abbey throughout the series is Highclere Castle, located in the countryside of Hampshire.
This historic estate has been home to the Earl of Carnarvon and his family for generations.
Many of the most recognisable scenes from the series were filmed here, including:
• the Crawley family’s dining room
• the grand staircase
• the drawing rooms
• the library
• the famous entrance hall
Visitors to Highclere Castle can explore several of these rooms when the castle opens to the public.
The Grand Entrance Hall
You can learn how to visit here:
How to visit Highclere Castle from London
Bampton – The Village of Downton
Many of the village scenes in Downton Abbey were filmed in Bampton, a small village in Oxfordshire.
Walking through Bampton today feels like stepping directly into the series.
The church in Bampton
Filming locations in the village include:
• St Mary’s Church, used as Downton Church
• the village green
• the building used as Downton Cottage Hospital
• the house used as Isobel Crawley’s home
Bampton is one of the most popular stops on Downton Abbey tours.
Cogges Manor Farm – Yew Tree Farm
The location used as Yew Tree Farm, home of the Drewe family in later seasons of the show, is Cogges Manor Farm near Witney.
Cogges Farm
This historic farm dates back to the 13th century and was used for several scenes involving Lady Edith.
Visitors can explore the farmhouse, barns, and gardens.
Basildon Park – London Interiors
Some interior scenes representing London homes were filmed at Basildon Park, an elegant Georgian mansion in Berkshire.
This National Trust property has also appeared in several other films and television productions.
Alnwick Castle – Brancaster Castle
In the Christmas special episode of Downton Abbey, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was used as Brancaster Castle, the home of Lord Sinderby.
This dramatic castle is also famous for appearing in the Harry Potter films.
Why Highclere Castle Is the Most Famous Location
While many locations appear in Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle remains the most iconic.
The building itself is instantly recognisable from the opening sequence of the series.
Visitors often say that arriving at the castle and seeing the house rising above the parkland is one of the highlights of their trip to England.
You can compare available tours that visit Highclere Castle and other filming locations here:
Highclere Castle & Downton Abbey tours from London
Planning a Downton Abbey Filming Locations Visit
If you are planning to visit the real Downton Abbey locations, this guide may also help: