Downton Abbey & Highclere Castle Day Trip from London

Summary

Walk Bampton’s quiet lanes then wander Highclere’s grand halls

You’ll step right into Downton Abbey’s world with this day trip from London—wandering Bampton’s real-life village streets, exploring Highclere Castle’s famous rooms, and hearing stories from your guide along the way. There are scenes from the show on board and plenty of time for photos or just soaking in those quiet English country moments.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of London just after breakfast, the city noise fading behind us. Our guide, Sarah, started playing Downton Abbey scenes on the coach TV — honestly, I didn’t expect to get goosebumps before 10am but there you go. The countryside outside turned all soft green and gold as we got closer to Bampton, which is actually the “Downton village” if you’re a fan (I am, but my partner’s never seen it — he still liked it though). Walking those little lanes with Sarah pointing out where Mrs. Crawley would have fussed over someone or where the post office scene was shot… I kept catching whiffs of damp stone and cut grass. We stopped by the churchyard and someone local waved at us with a mug in hand — felt like they’d seen a hundred groups like ours but still smiled.

After that, we drove through more of the Cotswolds — sheep everywhere, one even blocked us for a minute (Sarah just laughed and said it was part of the “authentic experience”). Then came Highclere Castle itself. The first glimpse is kind of surreal if you’ve watched the show: those honey-colored walls against the sky. Inside, I kept brushing my hand along the wood banisters (probably not supposed to) and thinking about all those upstairs-downstairs dramas. The rooms are actually smaller than they look on TV — or maybe just less grand without all the costumes? At one point I just stood in a patch of sunlight by a window and tried to imagine Lady Mary storming past me.

Lunch was on our own — there’s a café on site that does scones so crumbly I ended up wearing half of mine. On the way back to London, Sarah told us little stories about filming mishaps and answered every random question people threw at her (“Was that really Maggie Smith’s chair?”). By then everyone was a bit sleepy or quietly scrolling through photos. I still think about that hush inside Highclere’s library; something about old books and sunlight makes you want to whisper.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Downton Abbey and Village Tour

• Depart from London by coach
• Watch Downton Abbey scenes on bus
• Guided tour of Bampton village
• See church, post office, village green, pub
• Visit Highclere Castle with entry
• Explore upstairs rooms of Highclere Castle
• Return to London by coach

Top questions

How long is the Downton Abbey & Highclere Castle tour?

The tour lasts approximately 9 hours round-trip from London.

Is entry to Highclere Castle included?

Yes, entry fees for Highclere Castle are included in your booking.

Do we visit actual filming locations from Downton Abbey?

Yes, you’ll visit Bampton village (used as Downton village) and Highclere Castle itself.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No, lunch is not included but there is a café at Highclere Castle where you can purchase food.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup; departure is from central London by coach.

Are guides knowledgeable about Downton Abbey?

Your guide provides live commentary with behind-the-scenes info about filming locations and stories.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during travel.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to its duration and walking involved.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable coach travel from London with air conditioning, entry tickets for both Bampton village sights and Highclere Castle itself, plus live commentary throughout by a professional guide who shares stories as you go along—so you don’t miss anything even between stops.