Where was Downton Abbey filmed? Explore the grand estates and castles, charming villages, and French gardens full of Crawley charm and elegance.
Ever wondered where Downton Abbey was filmed? Well, it’s not just a castle, a village, or a few cobbled streets – it’s a cinematic journey through England, Scotland, and even the sunny South of France.
This show brought early 20th-century aristocracy to life with flawless style – and impeccable hair. Whether it’s the Crawleys’ stately ballroom dances, secretive garden rendezvous, or romantic countryside strolls, each Downton Abbey filming location tells its own story.
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🎬 Enchanting Downton Abbey Filming Locations
In this guide to iconic Downton Abbey filming locations, we’ll whisk you behind the scenes to explore iconic estates, quaint villages, and elegant city streets.
So, grab your monocle, polish your shoes, and step into the Crawleys’ world. Let’s uncover every must-see filming location without the fuss of a proper tea party… though you may want a scone.
🏰 Highclere Castle – The Heart of Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle in Hampshire isn’t just any mansion – it’s the mansion, with spires, sweeping gardens, and interiors that make your living room feel like a broom closet. From glittering chandeliers to well-traveled carpets, every corner whispers aristocratic drama.
When Lady Mary glides down the grand staircase, or Mr. Carson polishes silver, you’re seeing pure Highclere magic. The drawing room hosted endless soirées, the library hid quiet secrets, and the manicured gardens staged romantic walks and dramatic arrivals – peak Downton fantasy.
What was filmed here:
- Grand staircase – Epic entrances, secret rendezvous, and dramatic pauses that could stop a clock.
- Library – Cozy heart-to-hearts, whispers of intrigue, and Mr. Bates being quietly heroic.
- Drawing room – Lavish parties, gossip, and strategic alliances.
- Exterior grounds – Carriages, horses, garden strolls, and endless greenery worthy of a painting.
💡 Trivia: Highclere Castle is also home to a treasure trove of Egyptian artifacts, thanks to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon – some of which made subtle appearances on set, adding a dash of global glamour to the Crawleys’ world.
🏘️ Bampton Village – The Charm of Village Life
Step into real-life Downton village in Bampton, Oxfordshire, where cobbled streets and honey-colored cottages feel lifted from a period drama. This is where villagers gossip enthusiastically, attend weddings and funerals with poise, and wear hats ambitious enough to qualify as architecture.
Fans will recognize nearly every corner from the show’s tender, scandalous, and quietly hilarious moments. Walking through Bampton feels like entering a living postcard – complete with perfectly timed sheep cameos.
What was filmed here:
- Church of St. Mary the Virgin – Weddings, funerals, and dramatic proclamations.
- Village green – May Day celebrations, parades, and spontaneous gossip.
- Butcher’s & post office – Everyday interactions, village mischief, and scandal.
- Library & schoolhouse – Children’s storylines and quiet, thoughtful moments.
💡 Trivia: Many locals became extras, adding authenticity. Visiting Bampton is basically stepping into a time machine where everyone knows your name (and your business).
🌳 The Cotswolds – Countryside Elegance
The Cotswolds look like England’s favorite Instagram filter – rolling hills, honey-colored cottages, and charm at every turn. This postcard countryside framed Downton’s outdoor moments: carriage rides, picnics, and leisurely strolls where sheep occasionally stole the scene.
Manor houses became elegant party venues, and winding lanes hosted intimate chats, stolen kisses, and classic walk-and-talk drama. The scenery makes you want to grab a parasol and channel your inner Crawley – no silver service required.
What was filmed here:
- Swinbrook & surrounding fields – Carriage rides, picnics, and playful scenes.
- Historic manor houses – Elegant parties, secret rendezvous, and plot twists.
- Village streets – Romantic walks, nostalgic charm, and sheep photobombs.
💡 Trivia: Many of the sheep were unscripted extras. Yes, they have better timing than most actors.
🏞️ Scottish Highlands – Dramatic Escapes
For Downton Abbey: A New Era, the Scottish Highlands delivered rugged romance – misty lochs, sweeping glens, and castles brooding on the hills.
Glen Coe’s craggy landscapes framed scenic drives and dramatic arrivals, while lochside estates set the stage for quiet reflection and secret meetings.
Inveraray Castle, standing in as Duneagle Castle, added aristocratic grandeur with its spires, gardens, and elegant interiors – perfect for family drama with a Highland twist.
What was filmed here:
- Inveraray Castle – Aristocratic gatherings, whispered intrigues, and cinematic Scottish flair.
- Glen Coe – Rugged landscapes, epic drives, and perfectly timed dramatic entrances.
- Lochside Estates – Romantic walks, reflective moments, and character bonding.
💡 Trivia: The Highlands’ unpredictable weather added natural mist and mood, making the landscape feel almost like an extra character in the story.
🏰 Alnwick Castle – Brancaster Castle Comes to Life
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England, isn’t just any castle – it’s the kind of place that makes you want to swoon, curtsy, and immediately grab a cup of tea. In Downton Abbey Christmas specials, it stood in as the stately Brancaster Castle, bringing festive grandeur to the Crawleys’ world.
With Gothic spires, sweeping courtyards, and ornately decorated halls, it’s the perfect backdrop for aristocratic drama – complete with snow-dusted rooftops, glittering holiday balls, and Lady Mary’s perfectly arched eyebrow.
What was filmed here:
- Christmas special scenes – Lavish holiday gatherings, carriage arrivals, and family festivities.
- Grand staircases & halls – Dramatic entrances, whispered conversations, and those perfectly timed side-eyes.
- Courtyards & gardens – Winter outdoor shots for festive strolls and carriage rides.
- Decorated banquet halls – Toasts, feasts, and sparkling Christmas parties worthy of the Crawleys’ approval.
💡 Trivia: Alnwick Castle is also famous as a Harry Potter filming location and for other period dramas.
☀️ South of France – Villa Rocabella & Riviera Escapades
In Downton Abbey: A New Era, the Crawleys swap English drizzle for Riviera glamour at Villa Rocabella in Le Pradet, Provence.
Mediterranean gardens, sunset terraces, private beaches, and a sea breeze set the scene for leisurely walks and romantic moments with French flair.
Nearby Martigues, the “Venice of Provence,” adds canals, color, and charm – France served perfectly within the Crawleys’ elegant aesthetic.
What was filmed here:
- Villa Rocabella gardens & terrace – Elegant outdoor dinners, strolls, and sunlit conversations.
- Quai Marceau, Martigues – Charming street scenes showcasing French village life in style.
💡 Trivia: Villa Rocabella is a 19th-century villa available for rent. Want to live like the Crawleys for a weekend? Voilà – you can dine, stroll, and sunbathe in true aristocratic fashion.
🏡 Claydon House – The Finale’s Grand Ball
For Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale‘s grand ball sequence, the filmmakers chose Claydon House, a stunning 18th-century mansion with ornate interiors, a sweeping grand staircase, and a Saloon that practically demanded a waltz.
It became the perfect stage for elegant dances, whispered intrigues, and dramatic entrances worthy of the Crawleys’ final cinematic chapter.
What was filmed here:
- Grand ball sequence – dancing, social interactions, and romantic or comedic moments.
- Elegant hallway and staircase scenes – dramatic entrances and whispered conspiracies.
💡 Trivia: Claydon House’s authentic period interiors allowed filmmakers to capture the opulence of aristocratic balls without relying heavily on props or digital enhancements.
🏛️ Bridgewater House – London’s Aristocratic Facade
When the Crawleys trade countryside for city life, Bridgewater House stands in as the exterior of their London home, Grantham House.
Its stately 19th-century façade and grand doorways instantly signal aristocratic sophistication – the sort of place that makes you want to curtsy on the pavement.
While interiors were filmed elsewhere, these exterior shots frame dramatic arrivals, carriage stops, and polished London society moments in true Crawley style.
What was filmed here:
- Exterior of Grantham House – Dramatic arrivals, polite bows, and the Crawleys stepping into city life.
- Establishing shots of London residence – Showing the family’s cosmopolitan side before entering balls or high-society events.
💡 Trivia: While you can’t tour the inside, fans visiting St. James’s Square can still spot the iconic façade, imagining the Crawleys stepping down those steps in full Edwardian finery.
🏛️ Basildon Park – Grantham House’s Interiors
Throughout the series, the Christmas specials, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Basildon Park became the Crawleys’ London home, Grantham House.
Its stately Hall, dining room, drawing room, and Octagon room hosted elegant dinners, tense conversations, and glittering society moments behind closed doors.
What was filmed here:
- Aristocratic indoor scenes – balls, dinner parties, and private conversations.
- Interior establishing shots – lavish furniture, ornate ceilings, and historical authenticity.
💡 Trivia: The house’s preserved 18th-century interiors added instant sophistication, letting the Crawleys’ London lifestyle feel lavish without any set dressing tricks.
💃 Lancaster House – Balls, Politics, and High Society
When the Crawleys needed to show off their cosmopolitan side, Lancaster House was the go-to location. Its grand halls, glittering chandeliers, and sweeping staircases were tailor-made for aristocratic drama.
From glittering balls to politically charged gatherings, this is where Downton Abbey really rubbed elbows with London society.
What was filmed here:
- Ballroom dances – waltzes, dramatic entrances, and more than a few scandalized glances.
- Social events – formal dinners, high-society meetings, and political intrigue.
💡 Trivia: The ornate interiors of Lancaster House gave the Crawleys instant city-world credibility, making you forget for a second that they’d just been tromping through mud at Highclere.
🌾 Yorkshire – Scenic Countryside Escapes
Where was Downton Abbey filmed in Yorkshire? While the Crawleys’ grand estate lives at Highclere, Yorkshire’s rolling hills and storybook landscapes added cinematic magic to Downton Abbey.
Picture sweeping green fields, charming stone walls, and misty mornings perfect for romantic walks, carriage rides, or dramatic confrontations that make you clutch your teacup in suspense.
The region’s natural beauty gave outdoor scenes a sense of authenticity, grounding the Crawleys’ aristocratic drama in a real, breathtaking English countryside.
What was filmed here:
- Ripley Castle (North Yorkshire) – Garden and exterior estate shots for select scenes.
- Yorkshire Dales & surrounding countryside – Panoramic landscapes, romantic strolls, and carriage rides.
💡 Trivia: The misty mornings and dramatic skies of Yorkshire were often used to enhance tension or romance.
🌿 Wrest Park – England Becomes France
The gardens of Wrest Park in Bedfordshire doubled as a French villa’s exterior for Downton Abbey: A New Era. With manicured lawns, sculpted terraces, and flowering pathways, the estate created the illusion of the sun-soaked Riviera without the need to cross the Channel.
What was filmed here:
- Garden strolls and carriage scenes to mimic French villa grounds.
- Outdoor sequences for private conversations and quiet moments of reflection.
💡 Trivia: Wrest Park’s ornamental gardens allowed the crew to capture Mediterranean-style scenes while staying in England – a clever bit of cinematic magic.
🚂 Horsted Keynes Station – The Edwardian Railway Escape
Nestled in West Sussex, Horsted Keynes Station on the Bluebell Railway brings all the charm of Edwardian train travel to life. Steam billows, carriages gleam, and fans can almost hear the whistle signaling a dramatic departure.
This station became the perfect backdrop for those moments when the Crawleys and staff journeyed between their grand estates and London, adding a sense of movement, adventure, and quiet romance to the story.
What was filmed here:
- Arrival and departure sequences for trips to London or countryside visits.
- Romantic or tense encounters on platforms and in vintage carriages.
💡 Trivia: Fans today can ride the heritage trains and feel like they’re stepping directly into the 1920s – monocles optional but recommended.
🎭 Royal Opera House – Culture, Drama, and Lady Mary
The Royal Opera House brought high culture to the Crawleys’ lives. Lady Mary’s attendance at performances gave fans a peek at London’s artistic elite, complete with elegant gowns, opera glasses, and subtle eyebrow raises.
What was filmed here:
- Opera and theatre outings – high-society evenings filled with music, drama, and occasional witty quips.
- Promenades outside – arrivals and departures in full Edwardian finery.
💡 Trivia: To keep the 1920s illusion, modern street signs, lighting, and other contemporary elements were carefully hidden or removed during filming.
🏡 Byfleet Manor – Private Estates Beyond Downton
Byfleet Manor in Surrey was the residence of Dowager Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. Its serene grounds and stately rooms provided the perfect backdrop for quiet family visits, private strolls, or whispered secrets between characters.
It’s the sort of location where Lady Violet could make a subtle remark without anyone overhearing… or so she thought.
What was filmed here:
- Exterior shots – aristocratic family visits and reflective walks.
- Interior shots – quiet conversations and intimate plot moments.
💡 Trivia: Byfleet Manor dates to 1685, though a manor stood here since the 1200s. It was once linked to Queen Anne of Denmark and even Geoffrey Chaucer. In 2013, a hidden, doorless room was discovered beneath the floorboards – its purpose still a mystery.
🏇 Great Yorkshire Showground – Harrogate, England
For Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the Crawleys swapped the cozy corners of Highclere for the vibrant open-air spectacle of the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.
Imagine a 1930s country fair brought to life with period-appropriate tents, structures, props, and dozens of extras in their finest Edwardian attire.
This expansive location captured the excitement, bustle, and drama of a rural social event where everyone from farmers to aristocrats mingled under the wide Yorkshire sky.
What was filmed here:
- Yorkshire County Show scenes – horses, stalls, and bustling crowds in Edwardian fashion.
- Outdoor social gatherings – carriage arrivals, casual strolls, and discreet romantic encounters.
💡 Trivia: The scale of the showground allowed the filmmakers to stage crowds and movement that felt authentically 1930s, giving the film an open-air grandeur that contrasts with the formal interiors of Highclere.
🎠 Ripon Racecourse – Race Day Drama
Instead of modern venues, the filmmakers chose Ripon Racecourse to recreate an elite horse-racing day for the Crawleys.
The historic track and surrounding grounds were dressed with a royal enclosure, period banners, and vintage details, providing a perfect setting for high-society drama, competitive jockeys, and elegantly dressed spectators.
What was filmed here:
- Race day scenes, aristocrats cheering, carriages arriving, and stylish promenades.
- Social interactions and plot twists on the trackside terraces, whispered conversations, romantic glances, and subtle power plays.
💡 Trivia: Ripon’s authentic historic architecture and racecourse layout meant no modern alterations were needed, keeping the scenes historically accurate and visually stunning.
🎬 All Downton Abbey Movies in Order
Here’s Downton Abbey in full viewing order, including the TV series, specials, and movies:
- Downton Abbey (TV Series) – 2010-2015: Seasons 1-6, charting the lives of the Crawley family and their household.
- Downton Abbey: The Movie – 2019: Set after the series, featuring a royal visit and high-society drama.
- Downton Abbey: A New Era – 2022: The Crawleys travel to the South of France and face major changes.
- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – 2025: The concluding chapter of the Downton Abbey story.
📍 FAQ – Fan Questions Answered
Where can I watch Downton Abbey free?
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can watch all seasons on Prime Video.
Where was Downton Abbey filmed in England?
Highclere Castle (Hampshire) and Bampton village (Oxfordshire) are the main spots, with extras in London, the Cotswolds, and historic manors.
Are there Downton Abbey filming locations in Scotland?
Yes! Glen Coe, Lochside Estates, and historic castles featured in A New Era.
Where was Downton Abbey filmed in the South of France?
Villa Rocabella in Le Pradet near Toulon hosted all Riviera sequences in A New Era.
Is there a Downton Abbey filming locations map?
Downton Abbey fan tours often map Highclere, Bampton, London, the Cotswolds, Scottish sites, and Villa Rocabella for pilgrimages.
Can fans visit Highclere Castle?
Absolutely! Highclere is open to the public with guided tours of the state rooms, gardens, and the Egyptian artifact collection.
Was Downton Abbey filmed in Biltmore?
The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina was not a filming location for Downton Abbey. It only hosted themed exhibitions recreating sets and costumes for fans.
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