Top 10 Places to Visit If You're a Downton Abbey Fan

#10: West Wycombe House

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Lady Rosamund Painswick, Lord Grantham’s sister, makes this stately home her residence when not in the capital. Furthermore, the House was used for several different interior shots during the second half of the series. Built in the late 1700s, West Wycombe House was designed as a country retreat for Sir Francis Dashwood, 2nd Baronet, but has been run by the National Trust since 1943. Although it now functions as a museum and is open to the public for viewing, its contents are still owned by Sir Edward Dashwood. Those wishing to visit the museum should plan ahead, as it is only accessible for tours a few months out of the year.

This train station is used throughout the series, and for several notable events – including Edith’s season five return to Downton when Mr. Drewe conceives of a plan to reunite her with her daughter. Used as Downton Railway Station in the series, Horsted Keynes Station is in fact an active station situated in West Sussex. More than just a stop on a line, there is lots here for interested fans to see and participate in. Set along the Bluebell Railway, events are held on the rail line, including the Santa Specials around Christmas – which includes a Victorian Fairground and Christmas Pantry – and an Afternoon Tea.

In the series, when John Bates is accused of murder, he is sent York Prison. In actual fact, the “prison” was a part of Lincoln Castle. Built in the 11th Century by none other than William the Conqueror, the fortress was used as both a court and a jail in the Victorian era. Now operating as a museum, visitors are welcome to take tours of the Medieval castle. If ancient jail cells don’t pique your interest, the castle hosts a special Magna Carta exhibit; an original copy of the important document has been kept on grounds since 1215.

Since interior filming access to the real Buckingham Palace is nigh impossible to get, Lancaster House in West End London has been used on more than one occasion. In Downton Abbey, the interiors of the House were used during the 2013 Christmas Special. Managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, it often hosts important government functions and is therefore infrequently open for public viewing. However, it is not entirely off-limits, and those who check back regularly should take the opportunity should the chance for a tour arise, as it would make for a very special visit.

Alnwick Castle first appeared in the 2014 Downton Abbey Christmas special as Brancaster Castle, owned by Marquess of Hexham but rented out to Lord Sinderby for a grousing party. Built in the 11th Century, this ancient castle is the traditional seat and present-day family home of the Duke of Northumberland. However, the castle is now used as a major tourist attraction, receiving roughly 800,000 visitors a year as of 2012. As the filming location for several productions – most notably the Harry Potter franchise – the attractions and events it offers tend to be geared more towards that fandom. However, that doesn’t mean that a Downton Abbey fan can’t have an exceptional time!

#5: The Criterion

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Not much had to be done to spruce up this lavish 1873 neo-Byzantine-styled restaurant for its role on Downton Abbey back in season four. Like the Rules Restaurant and Hoxton Hall, this venue fit right in with the show’s evolving aesthetic. For years, this esteemed establishment proudly demonstrated the tastes of a bygone era, but having faced its share of financial troubles, changes have since been made. In 2015, it was rechristened Savini at Criterion, but it closed again in mid-2018 only to be reopened as Italian restaurant, Graniao, later that year.

Real-life Inveraray Castle has been used as multiple locations throughout the series, starting with the 2012 Christmas special and later used as Duneagle Castle, the home to Hugh, Susan, and Rose MacClare, relatives of the Crawley family. The origins of Inveraray Castle was first constructed on the estate in the 1400s, although the present, gorgeous and iconic structure dates back to the 1740s, when the first stone was laid, and then some reconstruction and additions in 1877 due to a fire. Inveraray does not play up its ties to the popular series, yet still hosts regular events and offers tours, with a tearoom and gardens open to the public as well.

Located south of Goring-on-Thames in Berkshire, and far from London, the interiors of the stately manor nonetheless double as the London summer residence of the Crawley family, Grantham House. Built in the late 1700s and under the care of the National Trust since 1978, this Georgian mansion hosts tours, events, art exhibits, and nature excursions, among other things. Proud of its inclusion in the Downton Abbey, the daily tours are happy to discuss its use as a filming location, giving fans behind-the-scenes information about the show.

What would Downton Abbey be without the quaint surrounding village of Downton? As captivating as any of the grand houses and manors featured in the show, fans who truly want to immerse themselves in the world of Downton Abbey need only to head to the village of Bampton. Located twenty miles southwest of Oxford, there are tours based out of London and Bath to help guide visitors around. For those going it on their own, a must-visit site is the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin whose exterior and interior have both been used in the series.

There could be no other choice for our top spot. The location of the titular home itself, Highclere Castle is the top destination for any casual- or super-fan of Downton Abbey. The Herbert family home and residence, as well as the country seat for the Earl of Carnarvon, the castle hosts galleries, gardens, and museums on top of its function as a prime filming location. Visitors should plan accordingly, as the castle tends to close for the winter months. However, ever moving into the future, there is now a handy app to allow would-be visitors to explore from home.