Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle Tour

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Downton Abbey with our exclusive full-day tour from London. Begin your adventure in the enchanting ‘city of dreaming spires,’ Oxford, home to one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Enjoy a guided walking tour, soaking in the magnificent architecture and discovering the charm of its ancient colleges. You’ll have free time to experience a traditional pub lunch, a true taste of Oxford’s vibrant atmosphere.

Bampton Village

Next, we journey to the picturesque Bampton village in Oxfordshire, instantly recognizable as the setting for many exterior village scenes in the beloved ITV series, Downton Abbey. Explore the iconic Church, see Mrs. Crawley’s house, the ‘hospital’ (which is the public library), and witness real-life homes transformed into the Post Office and various pubs from the show. You can even browse unique Downton memorabilia created by local artists.

Highclere Castle

The highlight of your day awaits at Highclere Castle, the magnificent country seat of the Earls of Carnarvon, famously known as the real Downton Abbey. Built by Sir Charles Barry (who also designed the Houses of Parliament), you’ll tour the grand public rooms, including the breathtaking main hall, library, and sitting rooms, all featured prominently in the award-winning TV series. Take time to wander through the stunning parklands, designed by the renowned Lancelot “Capability” Brown. Before departing, indulge in a delightful tea and cake at one of the castle’s charming tea rooms.

As a special keepsake, every guest receives a copy of one of Lady Carnarvon’s books, an exclusive souvenir to commemorate your unforgettable Downton Abbey journey. This comprehensive tour concludes back in London around 7 pm. Don’t miss this chance to walk in the footsteps of the Crawley family and experience the magic of Downton Abbey first-hand!

See full details of this tour below or contact us today for more information.

from £145.00

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Tour Highlights

Highclere Castle Admission: Included
Bampton Village Visit: Included
Guided Oxford Walking Tour: Included
Exclusive Lady Carnarvon Book: Included

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Tour Schedule

Step into the world of Downton Abbey on this unforgettable day trip from London! Get ready to explore iconic filming locations and soak up quintessential English charm.

Discover Historic Oxford

Our journey begins in Oxford, the enchanting “city of dreaming spires.” Home to one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, Oxford boasts some of Europe’s most stunning architecture. You’ll explore its magnificent colleges, with their ivy-clad stone walls protecting beautiful chapels, grand halls, and ancient libraries. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Oxford with our expert, followed by some free time to grab a bite to eat. Why not treat yourself to a classic pub lunch at one of Oxford’s many famous inns?

Explore Downton’s Bampton Village

Next, we’ll head to the picturesque village of Bampton in Oxfordshire, instantly recognizable as the setting for all the exterior village scenes in the beloved ITV series, Downton Abbey. Wander through the familiar streets and visit key locations like The Church, Mrs. Crawley’s house, and the building that served as the hospital in series two. You’ll also see real-life homes transformed into the Post Office and various pubs from the show. Inside the “hospital” (which is actually the public library), you can discover the Vesey room, home to the Bampton Archive and local exhibitions. Don’t forget to browse the wonderful Downton memorabilia available for purchase, including beautiful cards, prints, and mugs by a local artist, along with books about the filming.

Tour the Real Downton Abbey: Highclere Castle

Leaving Bampton, we’ll make our way to the highlight of the tour: Highclere Castle, famously known as the real Downton Abbey. This magnificent country estate, built by Sir Charles Barry (who also designed the Houses of Parliament), is the ancestral home of the Earls of Carnarvon. Your visit includes a captivating tour of Highclere Castle’s public rooms, featuring the grand main hall, the exquisite library, and the elegant sitting rooms, all prominently featured in the Downton Abbey TV series. Afterwards, you can spend time enjoying the stunning parklands, designed by the legendary Lancelot “Capability” Brown (who also created the grounds of Blenheim Palace), or indulge in some tea and cake at one of the castle’s charming tea rooms.

A Special Souvenir

As a truly unique memento of your day, every customer on this tour will receive an exclusive copy of one of Lady Carnarvon’s books. This fascinating book makes for a wonderful keepsake to remember your extraordinary visit.

After a day filled with historical splendor and cinematic magic, we’ll depart from Highclere Castle and head back to London, arriving back at approximately 7 PM.

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Please note the following details for your Downton Abbey tour:

Departure & Return: Your tour departs from Victoria Coach Station, Gates 19-20, at 8:15 AM (boarding begins at 8:00 AM). You’ll conclude your day near Victoria Train Station at approximately 7:00 PM.
Itinerary Flexibility: While we strive to follow the planned route, the order of visits may occasionally change. The itinerary is subject to adjustment.
Bampton Village Visit: The visit to Bampton Village cannot always be guaranteed due to local events that may take place. In such instances, we’ll spend extra time exploring Oxford.
Cancellation Policy: For a full refund, please cancel at least 10 days before your departure date.

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Why stop there?

The ever-increasing demand and availability for well-organised, safe and reliable trips means that we now go further afield, so while we love taking people on tours of England, Ireland and Scotland we are pleased to offer that little bit more with river tours of Amsterdam, coach tours of Paris and train trips to the chocolate capital of the world, Brussels!

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