Epic Downton Abbey Filming Locations in England
Downton Abbey is one of my favorite TV shows ever. I’m not exaggerating. My new goal is to visit all the Downton Abbey filming locations in England.
And I’m getting through the list very quickly.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched the TV show and the movie… and I’m not even going to try.
Epic Downton Abbey Filming Locations
I have compiled a list of famous Downton Abbey filming locations and some not-so-well-known ones.
I will always be adding to this list so make sure you bookmark it and keep returning!!
Highclere Castle
We all know the real star of the show is the actual house. ALL interior and exterior shots of Downton Abbey are filmed at Highclere Castle, with the exception of the below-the-stairs scenes which are all built sets.
Highclere Castle makes an appearance in every episode. The grounds also appear a lot.
Every garden party is held in the shadow of Highclere and the bench nestled behind the trees with the house peeking out the tree tops has been the location of some iconic scenes and serious conversations… anyone remember when Matthew dumped Lady Mary at the end of season one?!
If you walk down to the end of the garden at the side of the house, you’ll see a folly. This has also been used in the series.
The walled garden is nice to walk around, however, it has never been used in the series, and only makes a brief appearance in the background of one episode.
Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures inside the house, but I will say… GET THERE EARLY! Having the house practically to yourself makes you feel like Downton Abbey belongs to you.
The castle is not open year-round and has limited time slots, so make sure you book early on their website!
Bampton
You don’t realize how much Bampton is used until you visit there and re-watch the series.
Bampton is the village of Downton and appears in practically every episode. In fact, the very first episode kicks off with a shot of the post office and a telegram arriving.
The locations are all condensed into one area around the church. The main street houses the post office, the Dog and Duck, and the hospital.
In the church square, you’ll find Mrs. Crawley’s house, Mr. Mosley’s house, the church where Mary and Matthew were marrie,d and the church green where many events have been held like the village fair.
Continue past the church and you’ll find The Grantham Arms and Sarah Bunting’s house.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle is Brancaster Castle and was only used in the Christmas Special for season 5 (and the exterior makes an appearance in the movie).
This castle is located in Northumberland, England’s most northern county and comes with a hefty travel day if you are coming from London, however, it’s soooo worth it!
The main entrance to the staterooms was used as the entrance to the castle and filming took place in almost all the staterooms on the tour!
You cannot take pictures inside the castle and you will need to get a separate ticket for the staterooms once you arrive… so get there early!!
Fun Fact: Did you know Alnwick Castle was used as a Harry Potter filming location? Aside from many exterior shots, it was the location of Harry’s first flying lesson.
Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor is a French-style chateau in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. This has been used as a filming location for The Crown, James Bond’s Never Say Never Again, Sherlock Holmes and Rebecca.
Unfortunately, all the super lush and grand rooms don’t make it into the series, but the exterior of the house does.
Waddesdon Manor is used as the exterior for Haxby Hall in S2, E6 when Lady Mary and Sir Richard Carlisle are house shopping.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery is one of the many museums in London. The gallery is free to visit and open every day.
Cora takes a trip down to London and meets Simon Bricker at The National Gallery.
Cora says she only wishes she could do something in life that people would be talking about centuries later as they stroll from painting to painting while innocently flirting back and forth. Simon says he’s enjoying himself.
Later in the episode, Simon invites Cora to dinner at the Ritz and she accepts.
Lacock
Lacock has appeared in many movies and TV shows, including the Harry Potter series.
It’s a small village in the county of Wiltshire with most surviving houses dating back before the 18th century, all run by the National Trust.
The village was used in the series as the location for the Moulton Livestock Show in S6, E2, and was used for the king’s parade in the movie.
The National Trust parking lot is free for members and gives easy access to the village and Lacock Abbey.
Hampton Court Palace
This is a sneaky location because you don’t actually see the palace in any of the shots. The whole scene takes place in the gardens at the back of the house.
The gardens are made to look like a local park (S6, E3) where Lady Edith and Bertie are discussing Bertie’s fondness of cousin Peter and how much he loves living at Brancaster Castle.
Beamish Museum
Tom and Henry start their own mechanics and car shop in the city. The Beamish Museum, a “living museum” located in County Durham in northern England, is used as the filming location.
The Beamish Museum is an open-air museum that gives you an interactive and immersive look at life from the 1820’s through the 1950’s.
You can take a tram around the museum, a classic bus, or just enjoy a long stroll around the area.
The 1900s Town is the area used as one of Downton Abbey’s filming locations. The TV series uses the town as Tom and Henry’s car business in the last season and in the Downton Abbey movie.
The Co-Op in the town is where Mrs. Patmore buys her groceries for the royal dinner in the movie.
Wentworth Woodhouse
I cannot rave enough about visiting this beautiful country home in Yorkshire.
The facade alone is more than twice the length of Buckingham Palace’s and is Europe’s largest privately owned home.
Believe it or not, the movie was based on an event that happened in this house in 1912.
The king and queen came for a visit and there was a grand ball held in the marble saloon in their honor.
It only seemed fit that the filmmakers decided to use this plot line AND use the exact room that was used in real life.
The only room used at Wentworth House is the marble saloon and you are able to walk around it on the guided tour or the regular tour (but I HIGHLY recommend the guided tour). The movie makes you believe that this room is a part of Harewood House.
Harewood House
Harewood House actually plays itself in the film unlike everywhere else which bears a different name in the TV series and film.
The location was chosen because it was the residence of Princess Mary who plays a major role in the Downton Abbey movie.
The yellow drawing room, cinnamon drawing room, long gallery, and terrace were all used in the film.
The ladies meet Princess Mary for afternoon tea in the cinnamon drawing room where she tells the Crawleys not to paint the house for her parent’s visit because they are sick of fresh paint.
Fast forward to the end of the movie and we see the royal family greeting their guests for the ball in the long gallery. The Countess pulls Lady Mary into the yellow drawing room to tell her she may not be walking on this earth much longer and then Tom has a romantic dance with Lucy on the terrace.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering Station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway stands in for Kings Cross Station in the 1920s in the Downton Abbey movie. (With a little CGI magic in the background).
You’ll also get some nice drone shots of the train traveling through the Yorkshire countryside.
If you want to spend the day rolling around on a steam train then you’ll get to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside too!
Starting at Pickering Station, passing through Goathland Station (Harry Potter filming location), and ending in Whitby… the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Check out my Ultimate Dracula Tour of Whitby.
Have you been to one of the Downton Abbey filming locations? Have you been to a different one? Lemme know in the comments below!
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