Now known Worldwide, this incredibly popular television series is attracting visitors to the UK from far and wide.

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If you are coming to the South West of England, Bristol, Bath or South Wales from central London or one of the London airports then why not make a small detour to visit one of the Downton Abbey sights.

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Highclere Castle is no more than 30 minutes off the main route west.

Please note, you do need to book tours here well in advance as it is so popular.

 

The castle is used for most of the exterior shots shown in Downton Abbey, most of the interior shots, the kitchen, servants working area and quarters as well as some of the upstairs bedrooms were filmed in specially constructed sets at Ealing Studios in London

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About an hour to the north of Highclere is the village of Bampton which is where many of the outdoor scenes were filmed, including the library which appears as the entrance to the cottage hospital and St Marys Church which becomes the Downton parish church of St Michael and All Angels and has hosted a number of Downton’ events including weddings, funerals, christenings and even a jilting at the altar!

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Churchgate House, which lies a few yards from the church, is used as the home of the Crawley family. Various other buildings are used as pubs, shops and the Post office.

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The old Grammar School, which now houses both Bampton Community Archive and Bampton Library, serves as the Downton Cottage hospital.

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Church View has appeared regularly throughout the series and is home to two local pubs – The Grantham  Arms and The Dog & Duck both featured in various episodes. It was also the site of Downton Fair.

 

Lying two miles east of Burford, here you will find the Swan Inn, currently under the ownership of Debo, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. Who is the last surviving Mitford Sister. This is where Lady Sybil and Branson stayed whilst planning their elopement in series two.

 

Not far away in Witney is a former Victorian Farm Museum, with its historic farm buildings, this was the fictional Yew Tree Farm which played host to many of the farming scenes in series 4 and was home to Mr Drewe, the tenant farmer. It sits on the banks of the River Windrush

 

Lying just south of Burford near the Roman road, Akeman Street is the village of Shilton. The Old Forge was transformed into The Red Lion public house, Kirbymoorside, where Mr Bates went to work after he left Downton Abbey in series 2.