Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle) day tours from London 2024

Downton Abbey opening dates in 2024

Despite its popularity Highclere Castle has a limited visitor season. Some of the 2024 dates are live on this page but others are not released yet (see our table Downton Abbey/Highclere Castle tour dates 2024 for the available dates.).

Highclere Castle day tours from London are few and far between, normally opening dates are restricted between July and early September and national holidays at Easter and in May.

If you want to visit Highclere on a day tour from London it is not a matter of picking and choosing your tour, it's just grab the tour when available for your dates before it sells out!

If you are planning for 2024, then based on this year and previous years they are likely to be a spring opening around Easter, the two national holidays in May, and most days (except Fridays and Saturdays) from the second week of July through to early September. In addition, there are occasional special event days throughout the year. We update our page as and when dates are released and highlight these special events once we have details. We include the tour that does not visit Highclere for those visitors that are in the UK when Highclere is not open but want the best 'Downton' experience available.

It is not possible to view Highclere Castle when closed, even for a drop by photo opportunity. Highclere Castle is far from public roads out of view. There are local public footpaths where you can glimpse Highclere Castle from far off.

Highclere Castle by public transport

There is no public transport available to Highclere Castle. A bus service from Newbury runs 3 or 4 times a day except Sundays to the small village of Burghclere about a 30 minute walk from Highclere Castle, but timings are not good for a visit.

From London you can take trains to Newbury from Paddington Station from where it is about a 20 minute taxi ride to Highclere.

Oxford, Bampton & Highclere Castle Tour

Tour highlights

• Visit Highclere Castle and grounds made famous by the Downton Abbey TV series

• Visit Bampton Village used for outdoor scenes from the TV series Downton Abbey

• Walking tour of Oxford, home to one of the world's greatest Universities, visit the historic colleges

• Copy of Lady Carnarvon's autobiography.

Tour itinerary

Oxford

First stop after around 75 minutes is Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires, boasts one of the world's greatest - and oldest - universities, as well as some of the finest architecture in Europe.

The colleges themselves, which make up the university, are amongst the architectural highlights, their ivy-clad stone walls protecting beautiful chapels, halls and libraries.

A walking tour of Oxford with our guide is included before some free time to grab a bite to eat. Why not try out a pub lunch at one of the many famous inns of Oxford?

 

Bampton (Downton Village)

Next stop is the beautiful village of Bampton in Oxfordshire Bampton; the setting for exterior village scenes in the ITV series of Downton Abbey.

Visit the church - in real life, St Mary's Church, which played host to a number of memorable weddings funerals and christenings in Downton Abbey.

See Matthew Crawley's mother's house, the hospital, (series two) and current people's homes, which are transformed into the Post Office as well as various pubs.

In the "hospital", which is the public library, there is also the Vesey room where the Bampton Archive is housed and various local exhibitions are set out. Here you can purchase some Downton mementos of your time in Bampton, such as beautiful cards, prints and mugs (done by a local artist) as well as books of the filming.

Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

To finish your day you will travel to Highclere, and discover an inspiring Highclere Castle set amidst lawns and gardens of tranquility and beauty. It has been home to the Carnarvon Family since 1679 and the present Earl and Countess still live here.

Long-standing friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote Downton Abbey. He often commented he wanted a house which spectacularly testified to the confidence and soaring optimism of the Edwardian period.

Visitors follow a route through the castle though rooms with guides in each State room happy to share anecdotes and information.

As well as the castle, you will have time to explore the extensive grounds, designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown who also designed the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Tea and cake can be taken at one of the tea rooms once you have finished.

A copy of Lady Carnarvon's autobiography will also be given to every customer on the tour. It makes for fascinating reading and is a unique souvenir to remember the day!

 

Prices and tour reservations

Prices are displayed on the banner link above. Major credit and debit cards are accepted. You will be emailed a confirmation with a booking reference after reservation. The booking reference and the name of the person ordering is all that you need to quote when joining the tour, there are no paper tickets.