Downton Abbey Locations Tour England

The grounds and several rooms of Highclere Castle were used as the Crawley estage throughout the filming of Downton Abbey. He Downton village were filmed in the town of Bampton in Oxfordshire. Bampton was the perfect location for the fictional village as it is one of the oldest villages in England and is very well preserved with hardly any modernisation. Interestingly the village also appears in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Highclere Castle is a Victorian manor located in Berkshire (Southeast England) and is set in 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland. The manor is owned by Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, whose family have lived on the site since 1679. The author of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes is a longstanding family friend and had Highclere in mind while writing the series.

Due to the success of Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle have opened their doors for visitors to visit the house and gardens. They also offer private tours and functions.

Opening Times

• Two weeks over Easter
• Both May Bank holidays
• Two months over the summer months.
• Few days in early December.

Highlights

There is an exciting Egyptian Exhibition which lets you explore the fascinating discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter in 1922. Apparently the cellars are very atmospheric and there are replicas from the tomb of Tutankhamun as well as real antiquities for visitors to experience. There are various tearooms for coffees, lunches and teas and a great gift shop and not forgetting the beauituful gardens.

When the castle is open to the public so are the gardens and woods. Visitors can explore the 1,000 acres which the castle is set amidst.

The gardens were were originally designed by Lancelot Capability Brown in the 1700's. At the time he was the best landscape designer and the current owners have faithfully kept Brown’s aesthetic as the garden has grown and evolved over the years.

On the south side of the castle is the Monks' Garden, whose name is derived from the Bishops of Winchester. They owned the Estate for 800 years before the Carnarvon family acquired it in 1679. Today this part of the grounds is a decorative garden with climbing roses and penstemons, agapanthus and geraniums in June.

There is an enchanting Secret Garden which comes alive in July and August and behind it there is a new section to explore called the Wood of Goodwill which is home to 38 British trees.

P&P Tours

P&P Tours are a dedicated period drama tour company and run a number of Downton Abbey Tours throughout the year. They offer a one day trip to Downton village and Highclere Castle which includes coach travel, entrance fees and an expert guide.

They offer a Gems of Downton Tour which is available all year round but doesn't take you into Highclere but takes you to the village of Downton where you get to see all the external locations used in series including the Crawley House, the village hospital, the church where all the weddings took place and also two of the pubs. Also on this tour you get to see the Crawley's London town house (Grantham House) and visit the rooms where filming was carried out including the Octagon Room.

They also offer a Scotland Downton Abbey tour where you get to see the filming locations of the 2012 Christmas special and meet the real Duke of Argyll and dine in his private dining room

Brit Movie Tours

Brit Movie Tours can can you on a Downton Abbey Locations Tour of London where you get to see world famous London sites as well as the quaint historical streets where Downton was filmed in their trips to London. You get to see the exteror of the Grantham House, see where Lady Rose was spotted on her date with the jazz singer Jack Ross and stand on the sot where Branson first confesses his love to Lady Sybil. Tours last for 3 1/2 hours and available every day via arrangement.

Premier Tours

Permier tours also offer Downton abbey tours including private tours and a 5 day package which includes 5 star hotel accommodation.

Door2Door

Door2Door is another tour company offering Downton Abbey Coach Tours throughout Spring and Summer

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