Blog - News

September 17, 2025

By Joely Ellis

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale marks the third and final film in the beloved Downton Abbey franchise. Since its debut in 2010, the series has spanned 15 years of drama, encompassing six seasons and now three feature films.

Set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the fictional aristocratic Crawley family and their dedicated staff. The Crawleys are inspired by the real-life Earls and Countesses of Carnarvon, who still reside at Highclere Castle in Hampshire—the iconic filming location that stands in for the fictional Downton Abbey, which is set in Yorkshire.

Downton Abbey has filmed on location throughout the UK at some iconic locations. Below, we highlight just a handful of some of the notable locations that have been used across the English regions.

Highclere Castle, Hampshire

The heart of the series, Highclere Castle has served as the Crawley family home throughout all six seasons and three films. This magnificent Victorian castle is nestled within 1,000 acres of parkland and features beautifully preserved period rooms that add authenticity and grandeur to the show.

Bampton, Oxfordshire

Bampton is a picturesque village situated in West Oxfordshire and has been a prominent location for Downton Abbey. Bampton was used to double for the fictional Yorkshire village of Downton, where this show was set.

The charming streets, stone housing and period features were what bought this Yorkshire village to life. You will spot many locations used across the village including the Bampton Library (the entrance to the cottage hospital), Churchgate House (the outside of Isobel Crawley’s house), the parish church of St Mary the Virgin (where the marriage of Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley and the christening of Sibyls took place), the house which became the Downton village pub (The Grantham Arms) and so many more.

Cllr Duncan Enright, Executive Member for Economic Development at West Oxfordshire District Council said: “We’re proud that West Oxfordshire, and Bampton in particular, has played such a key role in the Downton Abbey story. Showcasing our beautiful villages, heritage, and landscapes, to a global audience has brought real benefits to the District, from boosting tourism to supporting local businesses. It’s a legacy we value and one that continues to put West Oxfordshire on the map.”

Cogges Manor Farm, Oxfordshire

Cogges Manor Farm is a unique 17-acre heritage Manor House and farmyard situated in the Cotswolds. Home to two 18th century Cotswold stone barns, a 13th century Manor House and a walled garden, surrounded by meadows and woodland.

This farm is better known as Yew Tree Farm in Downton Abbey which featured in the TV series as firstly Mr Drewe’s home and later, it was the new farm of Mr Mason.

Guy Reed, General Manager at Cogges Manor Farm said, “When Cogges Manor Farm was first approached and considered as a filming location for Downton Abbey it really was a gift. As a newly formed and small independent charity, the decision to use us as the venue of ‘Yew Tree Farm’ and the home of the Drew Family, was so incredibly pivotal  to us and literally elevated us as a venue. From a local Heritage landmark and resource, we started to welcome international interest. It has been a wonderful Journey and, as we reflect over the years we feel so blessed to have been involved.

The legacy of Downton Abbey for us goes far beyond the series and films it gave us a platform to share our wonderful site with so many people that otherwise we would have had no reach. It has also helped us develop the site further and help mould our future. We are eternally grateful for the opportunity.”

Lacock Village, Wiltshire

The National Trust manage Lacock Village making sure to preserve the history making it the right period setting for Downton Abbey. In the final series, Church Street in Lacock Village was transformed into a 1920’s livestock market scene. In the first film, Lacock Village was the setting for a spectacular military parade for the King’s visit.

Basildon Park, Berkshire

A beautiful Palladian mansion overlooking the Thames Valley in Berkshire. Owned by Lord and Lady Ilife since 1952, they gifted the property to the National Trust in 1978. The house was used for filming the interior scenes of Grantham House, the Crawley family’s London residence, and was the grand setting for the preparation for Lady Rose’s coming out ball and Rose and Atticus’s wedding.

Lauren Taylor, Filming and Locations Manager at the National Trust says, “It’s been an honour to be part of the Downton universe since the second series when Ham House and Garden in London was chosen for a scene set in World War One. Since then, another 3 National Trust properties have appeared in the TV series, including Greys Court in Oxfordshire, Lacock Village in Wiltshire and Basildon Park in Berkshire and 3 in the feature films, Lacock Village in Wiltshire, Basildon Park in Berkshire and Claydon House in Buckinghamshire.

The property with the most screen time was Basildon Park, starring as the interior of the Crawley’s London home, Grantham House, in series 4 and 5. The house stunned when it hosted Lady Rose’s coming out ball with all main cast in attendance for the dance. Not to forget a memorable disagreement between Shirley Maclaine and Dame Maggie Smith in the gallery above the staircase hall! The house will also appear in the upcoming film and we can’t wait to see it transformed once again.”

West Wycombe Estate, Buckinghamshire

A Palladian country house very popular with filming which has in the past doubled as a Russian Palace, The White House, a Roman Villa, a French Chateau, Buckingham Palace and in Downton Abbey, Lady Rosamund’s home, otherwise known as 34 Belgrave Square. The house was given to the National Trust in 1943, however the Dashwoods, whose family owned the house previously for over 300 years, still reside.

Horsted Keynes Station, West Sussex

Horsted Keynes railway station is a preserved railway station on the Bluebell Railway heritage line in West Sussex. In Downton Abbey, Horsted Keynes Station is where Mary waved Matthew off to war and where young Mrs. Crawley goes into early labour.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Horsted Keynes railway station is a preserved railway station on the Bluebell Railway heritage line in West Sussex. In Downton Abbey, Horsted Keynes Station is where Mary waved Matthew off to war and where young Mrs. Crawley goes into early labour.

Alnwick Castle was used to double as Brancaster Castle.  The impressive State Rooms at Alnwick were a great fit for the show’s elegant style, offering a rich and stylish setting for the Crawley family’s visit.

Some scenes were also shot with Earl of Grantham and Lady Edith on the castle ramparts, showing off the stunning views and scenery.

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen said, “The North East of England is a welcoming home where people can live, work, and create world-class HETV and feature film. We’re proud to have supported Downton Abbey via our Film Office and filming friendly network whilst they were filming at a number of locations in the region for both the series and the films. The production received seamless on-the-ground support while showcasing some of the region’s stunning and most-loved locations.”

Harewood House, West Yorkshire

Harewood House is actually called Harewood in the Downton Abbey 2019 film. It serves as a royal destination where King George V and Queen Mary plan to visit after their stay at Downton Abbey where their daughter, Princess Mary, is currently staying along with her husband, the son and heir of Lord Harewood. Filming was facilitated by Screen Yorkshire.

Over the years, Downton Abbey has showcased some of the UK’s most stunning and historic locations. From stately homes and vintage train stations to charming villages and ancient castles, the series has brought England’s rich heritage to life on screen.

As we anticipate Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, fans can look forward to more breathtaking locations that continue to enrich the storytelling with elegance and historical charm.

A huge thank you to all the location teams that have worked on the series and films who have been a joy to work with.

If you are looking for filming locations across the English regions, our Filming in England team is here to help. Please contact us on production@creativeengland.co.uk

Across the English regions, Creative England’s Filming in England team are on hand to facilitate high-end TV and feature film productions, working with local and regional partners. 

Want to explore more locations? Search our nationwide Locations Directory to see over 8,000 outstanding locations: https://www.filminginengland.co.uk/locations/