Excursion to Highclere Castle, Bampton and Oxford: Tour of Downton Abbey filming locations – Departing from London

Set off to discover Highclere Castle, where the hit series Downton Abbey was filmed, on a day trip from London! 

Departing from Victoria, you will escape London for a day dedicated to the series Downton Abbey and England of old.

First, visit Oxford, famous for the colleges that make up Oxford University, its bookshops and its cobbled streets. In the company of your guide, you will explore the city on a walking tour, before taking some free time to have lunch or carry on exploring. 

You will then get back on the bus to head to Bampton. This little, typically British village in the Cotswolds, in the county of Oxford, was the setting for many village scenes in Downton Abbey. You might recognize some of the famous sites from the series, like the outside of Isobel Crawley’s house, the hospital or even St. Mary’s Church, called St. Michael and All Angels in the series.

You will then head to Highclere Castle, where the main scenes from the series were filmed. Highclere Castle is only open a few weeks per year and was built by Sir Charles Barry, who also built the Houses of Parliament in London. 

The castle is home to the Carnarvon family, but you will visit its public areas, such as the great hall, the library and certain other rooms where the hit series was filmed. 

You can also walk through the gardens or enjoy a traditional afternoon tea (not included). 

Before leaving, you will be given a souvenir biography signed by Lady Carnarvon, the “real” countess of Downton Abbey. 

You will return to London in the early evening.