A Downton Abbey Day Out in the Cotswolds
There’s no better time to revisit your favourite Downton moments by exploring filming locations right here in the Cotswolds.
Let’s start with Downton Village, better known to us as Bampton.
You can also browse our places to stay near Downton Abbey in Bampton.
St Mary’s Church
Home to four weddings, many funerals, three christenings and even a jilting at the altar, St Mary’s Church boasts an array of dramatic Downton scenes. Our personal favourite being the wedding of Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley, as the cast also took over Church View for a wedding day parade. As fans awaited the resolution of the will-they-or-won’t-they storyline, the crew had to fend off the paparazzi, placing this fictional society wedding in the same calibre as a major celebrity event.
Churchgate House
Also known as ‘the battleground’ to the Dowager Countess and Isobel Crawley (now Lady Merton following her marriage to Dickie Merton in Series Six). Used for the exterior shots of Crawley House, you’re able to see the Grade II listed building from Church View.
Bampton Community Archive
A prominent setting in Series Two of Downton Abbey, Bampton Community Archive played its part as the exterior of Downton’s village hospital. You can visit the outside to recreate your favourite scenes or step inside to purchase a selection of Downton Abbey memorabilia, including mugs, tote bags and posters. The archive is also home to local exhibitions showcasing the history of the village, head to their website for more information: www.bamptonarchive.org
Church View
Stroll through the heart of Bampton, home to Downton’s Post Office and fictional pubs including The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck. This is also where the village fair took place in Series One.
Cogges
Only a 20 minute drive away from Bampton, you can find Cogges Manor Farm. This historic farmhouse became Yew Tree Farm, home to the Drewe Family and Lady Edith’s illegitimate daughter Marigold. The farm has a display of Downton Abbey memorabilia, including Marigold’s birth certificate!
Lacock
This quintessential English village located South West of the Cotswolds became Downton Village for Downton Abbey: The Movie. As the scale of filming increased for the film, producers turned to Lacock for larger scenes such as the parade of the local cavalry for the King and Queen’s visit to Downton.
The village high street seems to be untouched by the modern world, providing the perfect location to set the clock back to 1927. Over 350 extras were required for filming, allowing local villagers to get involved in the Downton action! For fun for all the family, you can visit Lacock’s newly refurbished play area, which was funded by Downton’s location budget.
Highclere Castle
For the ultimate Downton Abbey experience, you must visit Highclere Castle! Only a one hour drive away from the Cotswolds, you too can become Lord and Lady Crawley and immerse yourself in all of your favourite Downton scenes. Follow in the footsteps of Carson and explore the halls of Downton with a tour of the filming locations around the castle.
Highclere is ideal for a historical day out, as you can explore the story of the real Downton Abbey and visit the castle’s exhibition on the tombs of Tutankhamun.
Drive away with a wealth of Downton memorabilia and a bottle of award-winning Highclere Castle gin for the perfect Cotswolds night-in.
