Day trip

Downton Abbey Filming Locations & Highclere Castle Tour

4.7 / 5

58 reviews

Activity provider: International Friends
Day trip

Downton Abbey Filming Locations & Highclere Castle Tour

Activity provider: International Friends

From US$ 196.96 per person

Certified

Enjoy a full-day trip from London that includes admission to sites including Highclere Castle and Yew Tree Farm, plus a visit to Downton village and Downton Church. Travel in the comfort of a large coach in the company of an expert Downton Abbey guide.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 14 days in advance for a full refund
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1 day
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Enjoy a tour of Highclere Castle and Gardens
  • Take a private tour of Yew Tree Farm manor house (Cogges manor house) before it opens to the public
  • Visit Downton village (Bampton), a beautiful village in the Cotswolds area
Full description
Depart London in the morning, making your first stop at Yew Tree Farm (Cogges Manor Farm), the home of the Downton Abbey tenant farmers. This beautiful, well-preserved 13th century manor house is situated on the banks of the River Windrush, and was featured in the fourth Downton Abbey series. Beginning with the fifth series, the farm became home to the secret love child of Lady Edith. In the sixth series, Mr. Mason moved in with aid of Daisy. Enjoy a tea/coffee break on your arrival at the farm’s refurbished rustic Cow Shed Café and then take a tour and learn of the encounters between the tenant farmers and the landowners, featured in the TV series. Your private tour of Yew Tree Farm is scheduled before it opens to the public! Once you’ve visited the farm, you’ll continue on to Downton village, which is actually called Bampton, a lovely, well-preserved village in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. This village has been featured extensively throughout the popular TV series as its Downton village. The local library served as the Downton Cottage Hospital and Doctors’ surgery, and St. Mary’s Church became Downton Church. Churchgate House also featured in exterior shots as the Crawley family home. Now, you will have the chance to walk along these village streets! In the early afternoon, you’ll head to Highclere Castle, the Grantham family home. You’ll have time to explore the Monk’s Garden, the White Border, the Secret Garden, and the Wood of Goodwill, and have time for a light lunch at the café/tearooms in the Castle kitchens. The Carnarvon family have lived at Highclere Castle since 1679. In 1838, the Third Earl of Carnarvon commissioned Sir Charles Barry to transform the castle into an outstanding mansion. It served as a hospital during the Great War and was returned to private residential use in 1922. The current Earl and his wife, the Countess of Carnarvon, live part of the time in the castle and part of the time nearby in their country home. They remain closely involved in the everyday life of the castle and the plans for its future. Once you have entered the castle, you’ll follow a set route with guides in each state room, including the saloon, library, dining room, music room, drawing room, and smoking room. You can also go up the red stairs to see some of the bedrooms and the gallery, before making your way down the oak staircase back to the saloon in the center of the castle.
Includes
  • Round-trip transportation
  • Travel by executive coach
  • Expert, friendly Downton Abbey specialist guide
  • Admission to Yew Tree Farm with private exclusive tour of the house
  • Visit to Downton village (Bampton) with entry to the building used as the Downton Cottage Hospital
  • Admission to Highclere Castle and tour of the Castle and Gardens
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips/gratuities

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Participants

Date

Meeting point

97 Cromwell Road, SW7 4DN - Formerly Holiday Inn Kensington Forum - Please wait at Bus Stop GV on Cromwell Road (Ashburn Gardens Stop)

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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 58 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Service
    4.7/5
  • Organization
    4.6/5

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We were on the Full Day excursion to Downton Abbey. We had an early start from the British Museum at 7am & off we went with 15 other travelling companions under the guidance of Mike & driver DJ. We could not praise Mike highly enough. He is a mine of current and historical information, delivered at ease throughout our long day. He could place significant events and customs of "Downton Abbey" in context of its time in history and the culture and customs of the day (& even as far back as Celtic and Saxon times). It is a long day, but broken by well timed breaks. You see the ground and 1st floor of the house. (Downstairs is actually filmed in Ealing Studios). Our only disappointment was having decided to treat ourselves to food at Highclere, food available was extremely poor - no better than what was on offer at random roadside stops. 1 wrap, 1 panini, one soft drink & 2 packets of crisps - £23!! The gift shop very very disappointing. It is all about Highclere and nothing about Downton.

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March 31, 2023

An excellent tour covering the filming locations for Downton Abbey. Andrew our guide was a fund of knowledge and he was so friendly and engaging, like a friend chatting. Javeed, the driver was very good and was also extremely friendly. This was the first time we’ve used GetYourGuide and it certainly won’t be our last. Would wholeheartedly recommend

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March 31, 2023

We had so much fun on this trip. The farm was amazing. The trip was casual and enjoyable. The castle grounds are stunning. Souvenirs available. Pleasant drive. There are many treats available at both the castle and the farm. Bring some pounds if you want some souvenirs in the Cotswolds.

March 31, 2023

Product ID: 61489