Downton Abbey & Highclere Castle Tour from London, with Oxford
Description
Explore the iconic filming locations of the award-winning Downton Abbey television series on this full-day tour from London. Following the release of Downton Abbey 3: The Grand Finale, immerse yourself in the magic of the show by visiting the real-life places that brought the story to life. Begin with a guided tour of historic Oxford, often called the “City of Dreaming Spires,” and home to one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Your next stop is Bampton (Downton Village), a picturesque village in the Cotswolds and the charming setting for many of the show’s outdoor scenes. Finally, visit Highclere, the magnificent home of the real Downton Abbey. Discover fascinating insights into Edwardian England, hear behind-the-scenes stories about your favorite characters, and learn about the real family who have owned the castle since the 17th century. This popular tour has limited availability and often sells out quickly, Book now to secure your place!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Discover the timeless beauty of Oxford on a guided walking tour through this historic city, home to world-renowned universities since 1196. Stroll through picturesque streets beneath the city’s iconic ‘dreaming spires,’ explore renowned colleges, and learn about the scholars who shaped history, from Tolkien to Einstein.
Learn about Oxford’s centuries-long legacy of academic excellence, where notable figures like Stephen Hawking, Oscar Wilde, and Margaret Thatcher studied. Wander through the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera, both treasures of knowledge and history.
Discover the charming village of Bampton, the picturesque setting for many of Downton Abbey's most memorable scenes. Stroll through the village streets and recognize iconic filming locations like the village green and the historic Bampton Library, which served as the fictional “Downton village” throughout the series. Immerse yourself in the world of the Crawley family as you explore these charming spots and learn about the real-life village that became part of television history.
Admire the church’s striking exterior and peaceful atmosphere, which made St. Mary’s the perfect backdrop for the fictional village of Downton, adding to the show’s sense of history and tradition.
End your day with the grand finale: a visit to the magnificent Highclere Castle, the iconic home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the stunning setting of Downton Abbey. Explore the lavish State Rooms, filled with priceless antiques and artwork, and step into the very halls where the Crawley family and their staff once walked. Wander through the castle’s beautifully manicured grounds, taking in the breathtaking views that make Highclere a truly unforgettable experience. With the release of Downton Abbey 3: The Grand Finale, this is your chance to experience the real-life locations that brought the story to life.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The itinerary is subject to change. The visit to Bampton cannot be guaranteed in case of events taking place in the village. In this case extra time will be spent in Oxford.
- The tour operates between April and early September, 3–4 days per week. There is no tour in June due to Highclere Castle being closed.
Reviews(926)
Wonderful commentary in Oxford and Bampton. Great to hear historical facts told in a interesting and entertaining way. Relaxing time at Highclere Castle with time on your own to explore. 5/5
Our tour guide was great! Funny and did a great job of managing such a large group while making sure we were all enjoying ourselves.
Although a long day, it was a wonderful trip to Oxford and Highclere. The bus ride through countryside gave us a perspective of the English countryside. Our guide Eva and driver Robert, were exceptional. Only a snapshot of Oxford but enough time was allocated. Well worth the expense.
Driver lowered the air, but I still wanted a sweatshirt & blanket. Bring layers; leave them onboard.
Everything was fantastic, Zozo and Lobert are so friendly and easy to talk to. All explanations were amazing with details. Absolutely worth the prise of this tour. It was our dream to visit there, so thank you so much for making this beautiful tour.
Ozzo, our guide, and Robert our diver were outanding in every way possible. Great tour!!!
Great day trip from London. Must do trip for Downton fans. Oxford was a good addition to day. Enjoyed both places.
Zozo was a very good guy he gave us a lot of information as we were riding through different areas with a lot of history keeping it humorous so that it made an interesting and memorable. He was very knowledgeable about a variety of subjects and periods of History. Robert was an excellent driver navigating through winding city streets and Roads making sure we made it everywhere safely and on time.
A fantastic excursion for *Downton Abbey* fans. Make sure to get a good night's sleep beforehand. And bring a jacket—the bus air conditioning was so cold in the morning that we could easily have caught a chill 😅 The guide was fascinating and clearly passionate. We were a little disappointed not to be able to go inside the church in Bampton (there was a wedding) and not to be able to take photos inside the castle—at least in the hall at the bottom of the staircase. Still, it was a great day overall. I was able to make a dream come true for my mom, who is the biggest *Downton Abbey* fan in the family.
Great trip, very enjoyable. Our guide Zozo was very knowledgeable and shared great information and facts on each place. Robert the best driver there is.
