Where was Downton Abbey filmed?

The series premiere episode introduces us to the Crawley family, their extensive staff, and their sprawling castle. That’s when they learn about the sinking of the Titanic and the loss of a distant cousin, who stood as the family’s heir.

It’s also the episode that featured one of the best zingers from Countess Grantham and Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern). Cora asked, “Are we to be friends then?” Her mother-in-law replied, “We are allies, my dear, which can be a good deal more effective.”

Resting on 1,000 acres, Highclere Castle alongside its grounds served as the fictional Crawley family residence. The Victorian-built manor allows you to experience “Downton life” first-hand. Visitors can explore the hallway, library, dining room, and drawing room which were all featured in the series. Perhaps even more exciting is the opportunity to have a look at the bedrooms and see where Lady Mary turned in at the end of each day.

The outdoor grounds, as well as the Egyptian exhibition, are other points of interest. Make sure to get your tickets early enough because they run out quite fast, and the castle is only open to visitors in the summer months.

Make your way to the Downton Abbey production location via the Line 85 or Line 7 bus.

“Christmas at Downton Abbey,” the finale episode of Series 2 featured one of the show’s most awe-inspiring scenes. On a snowy day, Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) got down on one knee and asked Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) for her hand in marriage.

After Lady Mary finally opened up about the late Kemal Pamuk (Theo James), Matthew told her “I haven’t forgiven you because…I don’t believe you need my forgiveness. You’ve lived your life. And I’ve lived mine. And now it’s time we live them together.”

The city of Bampton, Oxfordshire was a Downton Abbey filming location for the proposal scene amongst others. That’s also where they filmed the exterior scenes of the Crawley residence as well as the Downton Village.

It’s where you’ll find other familiar sites from the period drama like the Church View (used to film the pub scenes), Churchgate House (Isobel Crawley’s residence), and the post office. The Bampton Community Archive, located next to the post office, stood in for the Downton hospital.

You’ll also find St. Mary’s church which was the setting for several of the iconic and dramatic Downton Abbey scenes. The Bampton Archive houses selections of memorabilia from the show including town maps and souvenir mugs.

Other noteworthy Downton Abbey locations include the Bampton Coffee House, where you can grab a cream tea, and the Biztro Restaurant which serves contemporary lunch dishes. From Oxford, the Line 19 bus will get you to the city of Bampton.

The finale episode of the fifth season titled “A Moorland Holiday” featured a memorable scene where Henry Talbot (Matthew William Goode) and Lady Mary danced in the library.

Lord Sinderby (James Faulkner) and Lady Sinderby (Penny Downie) had invited the Crawley family over for a grouse shooting party. The Sinderbys had rented the Brancaster Castle from Peter Hexham for the occasion.

That’s also when Lady Mary met Talbot, a race car driver who is Lady Shackleton’s (Harriet Walter) nephew. The pair hit it off and spend the day in each other’s company, culminating with the dance at the library.

Lady Mary, who was in the market for a potential suitor, said “I must be sure I am right to want this man, as my friend, as my lover, as my husband.”

Alnwick stood in for Brancaster Castle, and it’s where you’ll find the Downton Abbey exhibition which showcases the props, costumes, and photos used during production.

The historical grounds hosted the show’s film crew once again for the 2015 series finale. Filming took place in the State Rooms, the nearby St. Michael’s Church, and Bow Alley.

The X20, X15, and X18 buses from Newcastle will get you to Alnwick Castle. The castle is only four miles away from the Alnmouth Station (rail) and a mile away from the A1 (road).

The 2013 Downton Abbey Christmas Special, titled “The London Season,” featured a scene where Countess Grantham, Madeleine Allsopp (Poppy Drayton), Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine), and Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti), Cora Crowley’s brother, had a picnic at the Albert Memorial park. For reference, it’s the episode when Countess Grantham complained about not having a servant at hand during her travels. Isabel consoled her saying that she would share her “knowledge of the jungle,” to which the Countess retorted “Can’t you even offer help without sounding like a trumpeter on the peak of the moral high ground?”

Kensington Gardens offered its grounds as a Downton Abbey production location for that particular scene. Queen Victoria commissioned the gothic structure in 1861 in memory of her late husband, Prince Albert.

You can recreate the scene by hosting a picnic lunch at the venue, which took a decade to construct. The nearby Notting Hill cafes and delis serve selections of delectable fares.

Crown off the day by strolling around the grounds, and the 150-year-old water garden is a great spot to take some photos as mementos. Formerly the childhood home of Prince William and Prince Harry, kids will enjoy stomping around the Diana Memorial Playground which features a wooden pirate ship. Bus 9, 148, 70, 23, 52, and 49 as well as the Overground and TFL Rail will get you to Kensington Garden.

The third season of the period drama depicts John Bates (Brendan Coyle) behind bars. He is said to be a guest at the York prison after getting arrested for murder.

The difficult experience is worsened when his cellmate plants drugs in Bates’ bunk in an attempt to get him in even more trouble. In the seventh episode, Bates is finally freed after Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt) tabled evidence in the previous episode proving his innocence.

Bates has a checkered past and it wasn’t his first stint in prison. Saying that “prison was an education,” during his time locked up, he picked up on skills like forging handwriting and even pulling off the perfect murder.

Lincoln Castle provided the grounds for the York prison scenes. Dating back to the 11th century, the medieval Castle is the most ancient location that was featured in the series.

The iconic Downton Abbey filming location also houses the Charter of the Forest, which is a document drafted in 1217 granting the aristocracy ownership over England’s forests. You’ll also find the Lincoln Magna Carta at the Castle.

Bus 18, 7, 17, and 8 will get you to Lincoln Castle.

The Series 3 finale episode titled “A Journey to the Highlands” saw the Crawleys set off to Scotland for a weekend getaway at Duneagle Castle. In true Downton Abbey fashion, it ended up being a dramatic weekend, with Rose getting into a feud with her parents.

It’s also the episode that spawned another favorite Downton Abbey quote when Lady Mary and Matthew reassured each other about where they stood in their marriage.“I hope I’m allowed to be your Mary Crawley for all eternity.”

Inveraray Castle served as the backdrop for the 2012 Downton Abbey Christmas Special. Residence of the Duke of Argyll, the State Dining Room hosted the grand dinner scene and the real-life residents’ family silver also made a cameo on the screen.

It’s a great choice if you fancy a day out exploring the Castle as well as the surrounding park and woodlands. The interior features paintings and opulent tapestries while the 16-acre grounds feature flowerbeds and formal lawns.

By bus, the Scottish Citylink offers a regular bus service from the Glasgow City Center to Inverary. Several Tour Busses including Timberbush and the Highland Experience can also get you there.