The Crawleys have taken their final bow in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025), but if you are one of the many fans of this outstanding series, the story doesn’t have to end here.

The last film in the beloved series was shot at some of England’s most breathtaking historic houses, villages, and estates — and I’m going to walk you through how you can take your own trip back in time at these fantastic locations. 

Whether you’ve dreamed of strolling through Highclere Castle or wandering the charming streets of Bampton village, here’s your guide to planning the ultimate Downton Abbey travel experience.

Highclere Castle – The Heart of Downton Abbey

_{Downton Abbey film location: ‘Downton Abbey’: Highclere Castle, Hampshire | Photograph: Shutterstock / Nick Brundle Photography}

The most recognizable filming location from Downton Abbey is Highclere Castle, which serves as the home of the Crawley family. Located in Hampshire and home to the Carnarvon family since 1679, the castle’s instantly recognizable exterior is what I envision every time I think of Downton Abbey. It’s beautiful architecture, sweeping grounds, and grandiose interior made it the perfect place to use for their home, and even earned its spot in other films as well, including The Four Feathers (2002), Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), King Ralph (1991), and The Secret Garden (1987).

Tickets to tour the castle often sell out months in advance, so it’s essential to book early. While on tour visitors will be able to see the castle’s staterooms, bedrooms, and Egyptian Exhibition, as well as stroll through the gardens.

Travel Tip: Pair your visit with an overnight stay in nearby Newbury for a countryside escape. Or, if you really want the full Downton Abbey experience, you can book a stay at the Highclere Estate Lodges.

Grantham House in London – Bridgewater House & Basildon Park

The Crawleys’ glamorous London townhouse, Grantham House, which we see throughout the series, appears once again in The Grand Finale. However, it is made of 2 separate locations. Exterior shots for Grantham House were filmed at Bridgewater House in St. James’s, London, while its interiors were filmed at Basildon Park in Berkshire, a National Trust property open to visitors.

What fans might not realize is that Basildon Park has also been featured in many other prominent films, including 2008’s The Duchess, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Dorian Gray (2009), the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as ‘Netherfield Park’, and finally, as the home of Lord Pressfield in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 The Gentlemen.

_{Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale film location: the interior of ‘Grantham House’: Basildon Park, Berkshire | Photograph: Shutterstock / Wikimedia / jacquemart}

Claydon House – The Grand Ball

The film’s spectacular ballroom sequence was shot at Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, whose ornate 18th-century interiors create the most dramatic setting. The house’s magnificent staircase and Saloon (ballroom) were a perfect match for the glamour of the Petersfield Ball.

_{Photos: Claydon House – NT as Petersfield House by Rory Mulvey, © 2025 Focus Features LLC}

Claydon House is located in the Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire, England, near the village of Middle Claydon. Visiting Claydon offers Downton Abbey fans a chance to step directly into a key scene from The Grand Finale, but if you do stop by for a visit, be sure to get a quick bite at The Phoenix Kitchen. Run by Claydon Estate, it serves a selection of breakfasts, lunches, homemade cakes, organic tea and Fairtrade coffee for you to enjoy within the beautiful surroundings of Claydon Courtyard.

Bampton – The Village of Downton

For the familiar village setting, filmmakers returned to Bampton in Oxfordshire, which has served as Downton village since the very beginning of the series. This sleepy village in The Cotswolds was chosen to represent the Downton village due to its many stone cottages that give it its historic charm. It’s quaint, small town feel and beautiful scenery are what originally attracted film makers, and continue to draw tourists today.

_{Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale film location: Bampton| Photograph: Third Eye Traveller}

The church, library, and village green all appear in the final film. Fans can stroll these same streets and feel as though they’ve walked straight into an episode.

Ripon Racecourse – A Day at “Royal Ascot”

The high-society racing scenes in The Grand Finale were filmed at Ripon Racecourse in North Yorkshire. Since the real Ascot was unsuitable for filming, the production team actually rebuilt a royal enclosure on the site to stand in for it.

For the race sequence they used real jockeys and horses, but they did need to use a significant amount of CGI to add in the large crowds for the 1930s setting. 

Travel Tip: If you want to add an extra touch of authenticity to your Downton-inspired trip, try visiting on a real race day and experience a race for yourself!

_{Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale film location: Royal Ascot | Photograph: Ripon Races}

Plan Your Downton Abbey Travel Experience

Exploring the filming locations of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is more than just a trip — it’s a chance to step into the world of the Crawleys. From the grandeur of Highclere Castle to the charm of Bampton’s village streets, these picture-perfect destinations are what bring the series to life.

As a travel agent specializing in pop-culture travel, I can help you design a seamless Downton Abbey itinerary. From guided tours and exclusive castle tickets to boutique hotel stays and countryside escapes, I’ll make sure your journey perfectly encapsulates the world of Downton Abbey.

✨Contact me today to start planning your Downton Abbey adventure.