Downton Abbey is a world of fandom all its own, but what do you get the biggest fans of Downton Abbey? A trip to see it in real-life.
Downton Abbey is filmed inside Highclere Castle, located in Hampshire, England (a little over an hour from London) and owned by Lord and Lady Carnarvon. It looks exactly like it does on TV and in the movie. All the décor is the same. It’s really like being inside the show!
Tickets for Highclere Castle
To get up close and personal with the real Downton Abbey, book a tour through your travel agent well in advance of your trip.
Tickets to Highclere Castle are timed and sell out six months to a year in advance. Purchase tickets prior to your arrival. You cannot walk up to the gate and purchase tickets.
On the day of your tour, you can explore the castle’s grounds all day long. However, your timed ticket for the house tour is one time only. Once you walk through the house, you may not go back in.
Downton Abbey Tours
For a true Downton Abbey fan, allow yourself two to three hours for the house tour and another three to four hours to walk the grounds, visit the gift shop and go to the tea room.
When you arrive at Highclere Castle, take some time to explore the gardens and enjoy tea until your timed entry to tour the house. There are three public footpaths near the estate which are great to walk especially during the summer months.
Once inside the house, you are not allowed to take photos. This is monitored very closely by the staff. If you do try to take photos, you will be asked to leave. During the house tour, relive every scene from the television series. You’ll walk the castle halls and see the library, dining room, saloon, bedrooms and other areas where many of the scenes from the television series and movie were filmed.
Visit the ‘Downton Abbey’ Village
While in the area, Bampton, a small village about 25 minutes away from Highclere Castle, is a great place to explore. The village scenes from Downton Abbey were filmed here.
There is a self-guided walking tour of the village and many pubs to visit.
One of the best experiences in Bampton is St. Mary’s Church. You will stand outside in awe of its age and beauty.
Visiting the church is completely free, but there is a donation box inside the church to leave donations for the upkeep of the building.
Highclere Castle and Bampton are on the “Must Do” list for any Downton Abbey fan.
Contact us to help you book this vacation so you can experience being Lord or Lady Grantham for the day!
