Bampton Village was used as the location for Downton Abbey Village, the Abbey itself was Highclere Castle some 30 miles away just south of Newbury. See the video to understand how unspoilt Bampton is, how little work was required to return Bampton to Edwardian England. In the video you see Downton's St Michael's Church, Mrs Crawley's house, and along Church View The Cottage Hospital, The Post Office and Dog and Duck Pub. Watch this video to help you plan your trip. The leaflet seen in the video may be found in St Mary the Virgin Church.

I watched the start of the new series and Bampton featured a great deal in Mary's Wedding, her carriage passing the Cottage Hospital and arriving at the green.

Bampton which was previously an isolated Oxfordshire Village with no important through road fears the loss of its privacy. Coachloads of tourists from all over the world are starting to arrive to arrive in sleepy Bampton yet they are not prepared have no tea-rooms, souvenir shop, limited parking etc. The Library (Cottage Hospital in Downton) has some tourist information and sells a few souvenirs however has the usual library opening hours.There is a Coffee Shop in the Market Place plus some lively pubs.

If you manage to visit Bampton soon you will still find it utterly unspoiled. Downton Abbey has just won three Emmys. There are several bed and breakfast's in Bampton , including Wheelgate House, The Coach House and Upham House Bed & Breakfast if you could stay in Bampton that would be the best way to get the period feel of the village
also as many of the villagers have appeared in Down as extras I'm sure you get get to hear real inside information.

Bampton has for generations been renowned for its Morris Dancing traditions which are still celebrated today.

The nearest town to Bampton is Witney, so arrive by London, M40, Oxford, Witney, Bampton.

Some other titbits , Shilton was used for the bus going through a ford scene, the delightful Swan Pub at Swinbrook has also appeared. The current library was formerly a Grammar School and if you look carefully at Bampton in Downton Abbey you will notice the odd TV aerial.

There is a village in England called Downton (Wiltshire/Somerset border) but it has nothing to do with Downton Abbey but has experienced a tourist boom anyway!

The last series is about to begin!
Discover the Real Downton Abbey Village at Bampton , Plan your Visit


Where is Downton filmed and Downton Abbey Locations