Discover Downton Abbey Filming Locations

With its quintessential English towns and villages, vast amounts of picturesque countryside, historical castles and stately homes, the Great West Way is the perfect setting for any period drama. Which is why much of the much-loved TV series and movie, Downton Abbey, was filmed on the Great West Way. To mark the release of the film this September, we’ve identified Downton Abbey filming locations along the Great West Way that are a must-see for any Downton fans...

Lacock 
Within the village of Lacock, producers created the annual Malton Show at a farmer’s market, which featured in the TV series at beginning of series six. As well as the quintessential English village of Lacock, there is lots to see and do including visiting Lacock Abbey, a country house with monastic roots, Lackock Abbey’s beautiful grounds and the Fox Talbot Museum, which explores the history of photography. Lacock has made an appearance on many other movies including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Pride and Prejudice, and Wolfman, among others. 

Bowood House and Gardens
A cottage located on the Bowood House Estate was used as a filming location in the Downton Abbey film and can even be seen in the trailer. Bowood House sits within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland, and features a hotel, spa, championship golf course and children’s adventure playground. 

Highclere Castle
Most of Downton Abbey the TV series and movie were filmed at Highclere Castle, or ‘The Real Downton Abbey’, as it’s known. Highclere Castle is located in North Hampshire on the Great West Way, and is currently home to the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Throughout the year, Highclere Castle holds tours and events open to the public where you can explore the Estate and the various filming locations that have appeared on our screens. 

Basildon Park
An eighteenth century Palladian mansion located in Berkshire, Basildon Park stands in for the Crawley family’s London residence, Grantham House, in Downton Abbey. Basildon Park featured in the series five finale, as well as the special London episode on Christmas Day in 2013.  

Greys Court
This was the setting for the third series of Downton Abbey, as the potential downsizing home for the Crawley family. During the show, the whole family enjoyed a picnic on the lawn.

Other locations along the Great West Way that have been used for filming Downton Abbey include Eton College (transformed into the Thirsk Country Fair), Royal Holloway in Surrey, The Langdon Down Museum in Teddington, Syon Park in Brentford and Surrey County Hall in Kingston upon Thames. If you're a Downton fan, there are plenty of opportunities to follow your favourite show along the route!