Where Is Downton Abbey Filmed? 13 of Our Favourite Downton Filming Locations

Downton Abbey is one of the best and most critically acclaimed British TV shows of our time. It has received public support like no other and it has had a prominent space on all of our screens since 2011.

The announcement that the show was coming to an end in 2015 was heartbreaking for many fans and it came with great sadness across the country. The film adaptations that we have been treated to since then, however, have helped to soften the blow for many of us and they had kept us satisfied in our Downton Abbey fixation.

It feels far too early to say goodbye to our precious Crawley family and co. just yet.

Even now that the TV show has ended, there is still so much for us to explore to keep Downton Abbey alive. Many new fans are finding the show each day and many of us are re-watching the seasons over and over again 'til our heart's content. This means that it is still a wonderful time to think and talk about all the aspects of Downton Abbey that make it such an iconic hit. Let's never let the Downton conversation die, that's what I say.

One of the aspects that makes Downton Abbey what it is today is the use of wonderful filming locations throughout the series and films. There are some truly spectacular filming locations used in Downton Abbey and, in our opinion, they are one of the main aspects that help really bring the show to life.

Therefore, in this blog, we wanted to talk more about these locations one by one. We wanted to share with you the secrets behind what we see on screen, so that you may know even more about the series we all know and love. We also wanted to share these Downton Abbey filming locations with all of you so that you can visit them and recreate your own Crawley scenes! There is nothing more fun than plonking yourself right inside the world of a series you love.

So, without any further ado, let's dive into our list of 13 of our very own favourite Downton Abbey filming locations.

Enjoy!

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle has a very important role to play in Downton Abbey history. The castle was used in not one but two Christmas specials of Downton (we all know that those are the best episodes), and also in the very last episode of the series ever.

The castle is known as Brancaster Castle in the series. In the first Christmas episode when the location makes its first appearance, we see the Crawley family travel here to attend Lord Sinderby's shooting party, which, of course, ends in scandal and drama (doesn't it always?). We get plenty of wonderful shots of the exterior of the castle and the castle grounds in this episode, as well as the semi-derelict Hulne Abbey which can be seen in the nearby background of the episode. There are plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of these iconic locations throughout the different episodes.

In the final episode of Downton, this location pops up again, specifically so in the State Rooms inside the castle. We get an emotional scene in this episode, and Alnwick Castle provided the perfect backdrop for such a significant part of the series. It couldn't be the final episode without a top-class location to boot.

Lovers of British TV and film might already recognise Alnwick Castle as the setting of some infamous Harry Potter scenes. It is safe to say that this filming location has earned its stripes on the British screen.

Highclere Castle, Hampshire

Highclere Castle in Hampshire is Downton Abbey.

Highclere Castle is integral to Downton Abbey. In fact, the author Julian Fellowes had the castle in mind when writing the series. So the location goes back much further than what we even see on screen. He is a close friend of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, who currently own the regal Victorian manor set in 1,000 beautiful acres of land. He had, therefore, direct access to the location and was able to be inspired by its beauty and grandeur with frequent visits.

Highclere Castle became a focal point for the filming of the Downton Abbey series and was used as the real-life location of Downton Abbey itself. Many iconic scenes were shot here throughout the seasons and it has become a cultural icon in British TV.

Both interior and exterior shots of Downton Abbey were filmed at Highclere Castle and it truly is the home of the show. On the interior, rooms such as the great hall, dining room, drawing room, music room, library, salon, bedrooms, and so on were used for the filming of the show. Without the stunning location allowing such extensive filming, I don't think Downton Abbey would be the show that it is today.

Safe to say that we have a lot to thank the Earl of Carnarvon for!

Inveraray Castle, Argyll and Bute

Inveraray Castle took on the character of the fictional Duneagle Castle in the 2012 Christmas special of Downton Abbey. We see the Crawley family head to the castle for the weekend with Rose Aldridge and her parents, the MacClares. As we know, a lot of feuding and conflict take place throughout their time here. We also get to see a grand dinner, typical of Downton fashion, in the State Dining Room of the castle, which gives us a real insight into the richness of life in such an estate. The scene even includes the real dining silver of the real owners and residents of the castle, the Argylls.

We also get some scenes of fishing and stalking in this episode, and these both take place within Inveraray Castle grounds. Beautiful and sprawling, the grounds lend a very generous aesthetic quality to these scenes. You really do feel as if you are watching a stately family enjoy a weekend of aristocracy and class.

This is an amazing location to visit if you are in Scotland. You can visit the grounds and the castle and get a tour if you would like. You can also learn a lot about the Scottish countryside and the history of the country while you are at it.

Maybe just avoid the feuding with your parents!

Lancaster House, St James's, London

Moving on from the castle segment of our list, we now have our fictional Buckingham Palace from Downton Abbey. The elegant and regal interiors of Lancaster House in St James's London were used as the backdrop to the scenes of Buckingham Palace in yet another Downton Abbey Christmas special in 2013. You know it had to be somewhere seriously special to convince us that the location was actually the official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II!

The magnificent location is very close to the real palace itself and is thoroughly steeped in British culture and history. It was commissioned in 1825 by the Duke of York and was used for social and political purposes throughout the 19th century. It was later turned into a centre for government hospitality and has remained as such until this day.

It has a beautiful, regal interior that is opulent enough to fool us into thinking it is the real palace. It provides the perfect background to keep the scenes from the 2013 special as realistic as possible. That is something Downton Abbey does incredibly well: keeping the magic alive.

You might have seen this spot used in other shows and films such as The King's Speech, The Crown, Sherlock Holmes, and more.

Another real powerhouse in British TV. They just keep coming!

Wentworth Woodhouse

The ballroom of this exceptional Yorkshire stately home was used in the first Downton Abbey movie, as the setting for the Royal visit. This stately home is known for its one-of-a-kind ballroom and facade; it is unique and certainly makes for a stunning filming location, that's for sure. This Grade I listed country house also has striking architecture and lush grounds.

(A quick note here: if you have only seen the Downton Abbey TV series so far and not the two subsequent films, you are missing out. You might be sceptical and, hey, I understand that. Film adaptations don't always bring the same British magic that we get in TV series. But don't worry, the films are still a treat to behold for any Downton fans. Check them out.)

Now, back to our filming locations.

Wentworth Woodhouse is open to the public for tours, in which you can learn lots about the history of the place and the amazing stories of those who lived and worked there. A little like Downton Abbey itself! If you are ever in South Yorkshire, a tour of Wentworth Woodhouse comes highly recommended. It is owned by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and has been part of an exciting restoration project, so you can be sure to get an excellent experience here—one worthy of the Crawley family themselves.

Horsted Keynes Station, Sussex

Horsted Keynes Station is a preserved heritage site in Sussex. It remains part of the Bluebell Railway system and is home to an impressive collection of Southern steam locomotives. For lovers of all things steam trains and vintage collectables, this location is a real treat to behold. It is up there as one of the best vintage train stations in England and it is very much worth seeing if you ever get the chance.

Horsted Keynes Station is also a treat for Downton Abbey fans. The station was frequently used as a filming location for Downton Abbey, for many important scenes, plots, and storylines. We see this station many times throughout the TV drama, including in the scenes where Richard Carlisle proposes to Mary. It is one of the stunning locations that hold a key to both important moments in British culture and Downton Abbey.

(And are we saying that Downton Abbey is up there with the importance of actual British history? Yes, yes we are. Downton Abbey is British history.)

Out of all the locations on our list, this one might just be my favourite. It is certainly worth the trip down to Sussex, even for the period-style pictures you can take for Facebook alone! Imagine all the selfies. . .

Cogges Manor Farm

Cogges Manor Farm is better known to Downton fans as Yew Tree Farm. Yew Tree Farm features in Seasons 4 and 5 of the show as the home of Mr Drewe and his family who take in Marigold, the 'illegitimate' child of Lady Edith.

The farm is in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, and it has been beautifully preserved with period stone features. You can easily see why this very English, charming farm was chosen for a Downton Abbey filming location.

It is a working farm and you can visit it to take a Downton-themed tour. You can see the animals, check out some Downton memorabilia and even try a homemade scone. They even have the 'real' birth certificate of Marigold that you can see while you are there. Pretty cool right?

It is a lovely little place that, while a far cry from the mighty Highclere Castle, is filled with Downton spirit. Avid Downton fans will love a visit here.

Bampton

Not moving too far from our previous location, we have Bampton in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. Bampton is a quaint and quintessentially English town in the Cotswolds, and in Downton Abbey, it played the role of the fictional village of Downton. It couldn't be any more important to the show then, could it?

Said to be Yorkshire in the show, this Oxfordshire town is the hub of Downton action. When we see exterior shots of Crawley House and the village in general, the shots have taken place in Bampton. Different places throughout Bampton were used to create many fictional Downton Abbey locations, including the post office, The Grantham Arms, The Dog & Duck, Isobel Crawley's house, the Downton hospital, and the Church, and so on. Everything that is Downton village is Bampton in Oxfordshire.

Bampton was paramount to the filming of Downton Abbey as Downton village and it certainly could not have been forgotten on a list like this. If you want to visit, you totally can and you will have a whale of a time. There are plenty of locations to tick off your Downton bucket list all at once. You might meet some amazing people while you are there, too—it is simply that kind of place.

The Old Forge, Shilton

The pub that we see as The Red Lion in Season 2 of Downton Abbey is actually not a pub at all in real life. It is, in fact, a Grade II listed building in Shilton called The Old Forge. The building has the perfect essence of quaint English village life. It captures life at that time perfectly and brings the right amount of realism to the scenes we see take place here.

In the TV series, we get to see Mr Bates working here as a barman after he leaves Downton Abbey in Season 2. While not being a pub in itself, The Old Forge lends itself perfectly to these scenes and we get a real sense of what life is like after Downton for Bates. It is a great example of ingenuity and creativity from the team behind Downton if you ask me.

You can visit this location in Shilton on your Downton location touring, just don't expect to be pulling any pints while you are there! It might not really be a pub, but it is an important Downton Abbey filming location so it will always deserve its place on our top 13 list. If all else fails, you can get a wonderful feel of the picturesque English countryside while you are here and that is well worth it by itself.

The Swan Inn, Swinbrook

Yet another Cotswolds location for Downton Abbey, we have the Swan Inn in Swinbrook—a very English name for a pub indeed. Fit for a Queen!

This location is one that was used for great spectacle in the Downton series, as it was the location which Lady Sybil and her chauffeur Branson visited before they attempted to elope to Gretna Green. During their time in Swinbrook, they visited The Swan Inn, a lovely little pub that was the right choice for these scenes. It is both a storyline and a location that Downton Abbey fans won't forget in a hurry, not after all of that steam and scandal.

The Swan Inn became the go-to place for Sybil and Branson's secret rendezvous and it was shrouded with idyllic mystery. Don't forget how dramatic this affair was in the time of Downton, they needed a special place to host such a scandalous story!

In comparison with The Old Forge, The Swan Inn is a working pub that you can visit for a secret rendezvous of your own if you so wish. (It's not our business to judge what you get up to in your free time.)

You can also just pop in for a pint. Whatever works!

Lincoln Castle, Lincolnshire

This castle didn't feature at the top with the rest, and there is a good reason for that. It is a little bit of a different addition to the list, but certainly not any less important.

Rather than represent another fictional castle in Downton Abbey, Lincoln Castle in Lincolnshire is used to play the part of York Prison in Season 3 of the series. This is where we see John Bates locked up for murder in the show—a key moment for everyone.

The castle has a very interesting history, being the oldest building used throughout Downton Abbey filming. It dates way back to the time of William the Conqueror in 1068 and holds many significant historical artefacts to this day, including the Magna Carta from 1215 and the Charter of the Forest from 1217.

The castle even has its own dungeons. While it might not be a prison, it still has a foreboding sense of mystery and danger, making it the absolute best choice to play York Prison in the series!

Hoxton Hall, London

Hoxton Hall was home to the fun and freeing scenes of Lady Rose and her tea dances in Downton Abbey. Hoxton Hall is a Victorian music hall in East London that is a functioning and vibrant space for music, theatre, and fun until the present times. It has been filled with dance and joy long since the servant tea dances we have seen played out in our favourite series.

If you want to do a Downton Abbey filming locations tour, this is one of the best places to add to your list. There are so many events happening in this music hall all year round. You can see artists and performers of all different genres and cultures and you can have a great time while doing so. It is a significant place in Hackney and it is certainly worth seeing.

We all enjoyed watching Rose, Lady Mary, and Matthew Crawley have the time of their lives in Hoxton Hall, and now you can follow their lead and do the same in your own life.

A night of music, dance, and celebration would do anyone good after a couple of years we have all just had. What a wonderful way to celebrate Downton Abbey and all that it stands for! Wouldn't you agree on that one?

Kensington Gardens, London

Back to the Christmas specials for one last time, we have Kensington Gardens in Central London. This location was used in the 2013 special when we see Harold Levison picnicking with other characters of the show including Madeleine and William Allsopp, Martha Levinson, and Violet Crawley (played of course by the infamous and wonderful Dame Maggie Smith, a true British legend).

Kensington Gardens is yet another location with significance to both Downton Abbey and British history as a whole. The gardens are part of Kensington Palace, a royal residence where Prince William and Harry grew up. They are also the home of the memorial of Queen Victoria's late husband Albert.

You can easily visit these gardens any time you are in Central London, and when you do, you are guaranteed to have a very pleasant time indeed. You can spend some time imagining that you are a part of the elite picnic crew and that might make things all the better.

Spending time imagining yourself in the world of Downton Abbey is probably something we are all guilty of. It's always a good time to imagine stately homes, servants, and scandals. What else is there to do?

And with our Kensington Gardens entry, that marks the end of our list.

Conclusion

We hope that you enjoyed our list of Downton Abbey filming locations as much as we did. Downton Abbey has been such a treat for all of us for so long and we wanted to keep the joy that it brings alive for a little while longer!

There has been so much beauty and realism behind the filming of Downton Abbey, and all of the filming locations used were spot-on choices by the production team and crew. I'm sure after reading this list you would agree!

It's always a great thing to stop and think about the hard work that goes into bringing our favourite TV shows alive. It's also nice to have the answers for pub quizzes, too, so now you know how to answer the question, "Where is Downton Abbey filmed?" And you will remember it for a long time to come!

If you do happen to go and visit any of these locations this year, we hope you have a grand time. Make sure to send us a postcard now, won't you?

Filming Your Own Downton Abbey

If you are a filmmaker, a producer, an events coordinator, or simply someone who needs a venue that's similar to those found in Downton Abbey, look no more! Here at Giggster, we have a selection of stately homes, elegant castles and cosy pubs that you can rent by the hour.

Here are our top favourite recommendations!

Light & Airy Wedgewood Room in York

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Marvelous Venue for All Types of Events in York

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Gorgeous Walled Garden in Oxford

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15th-century Little Barn with Small Private Room in Oxford

Check this location's prices here.

Classy Pub (Buy-Out Venue) in London

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