Downton Abbey: Visit Highclere Castle where the award winning TV series was filmed

Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, boasts one of the world’s greatest – and oldest – universities, as well as some of the finest architecture in Europe. The colleges themselves, which make up the university, are amongst the architectural highlights, their ivy-clad stone walls protecting beautiful chapels, halls and libraries.  A walking tour of Oxford with our guide is included before some free time to grab a bite to eat. Why not try out a pub lunch at one of the many famous inns of Oxford?

Next, we head for the beautiful village of Bampton* in Oxfordshire. Bampton is the setting for exterior village scenes in the ITV series of Downton Abbey. Visit The Church; see Matthew Crawley’s mother’s house, the hospital, and current people’s homes which are transformed into the Post Office, as well as various pubs. In the “hospital,” which is the public library, there is also the Vesey room where the Bampton Archive is housed, and various local exhibitions are set out. Downton memorabilia – Beautiful cards, prints and mugs (done by a local artist) as well as books of the filming are all on offer to purchase.

Leaving Bampton, we now head for Highclere Castle, made famous by the Downton Abbey TV series.

*Please note the visit to Bampton cannot be guaranteed in case of events taking place in the village. In this case extra time will be spent in Oxford.

Built by Sir Charles Berry who also built the houses of Parliament, this is the countryseat of the Earls of Carnarvon. The tour of the Castle’s public rooms includes the magnificent public main hall, the library and sitting rooms in addition to other rooms featured in Downton Abbey.

Why not spend some time enjoying the enjoying the parklands created by Lancelot “Capability” Brown who also designed the grounds of Blenheim Palace or indulge yourself with tea and cake at one of the tea rooms once you have finished touring the Castle.  

A  copy of Lady Carnarvon autobiography will also be given to every customer on the tour. It makes for fascinating reading and is a unique souvenir to remember the day!

Departing Highclere Castle, we head back to London and arrive back at approximately 7pm.

Your tour will finish near London Victoria Train Station, centrally located and easily accessible by national rail and underground; it is serviced by the Victoria, District and Circle Lines and is in Travel Zone 1.