The Five Majestic Castles And Stately Homes Of Downton Abbey: A 2025 Location Guide

Step into the world of the Crawley family and the grandeur of the early 20th century by exploring the magnificent real-life castles and stately homes that bring Downton Abbey to life. As of late 2025, interest in these iconic filming locations remains high, driven by the enduring popularity of the original series and the two subsequent feature films, Downton Abbey and Downton Abbey: A New Era. This definitive guide takes you beyond the fictional walls to explore the history, architecture, and latest visitor information for the most significant estates used in the beloved period drama.

The magic of Downton Abbey lies not just in its compelling characters and storylines, but in its breathtaking settings. While the primary location, Highclere Castle, is globally famous, the Crawley family’s travels—from Scottish grouse shoots to a newly inherited French villa—have introduced viewers to a stunning collection of other majestic properties, each with its own rich history and distinct architectural style.

The Ancestral Home: Highclere Castle (The Real Downton Abbey)

The indisputable star of the show is Highclere Castle, which serves as the exterior and primary interior setting for the eponymous Downton Abbey. Located in Hampshire, England, this magnificent Victorian mansion is not merely a set; it is a genuine, living piece of British history.

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Biography of the Castle's Stewards: The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon

• Current Owners: George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, and his wife, Fiona, the Countess of Carnarvon.
• Stewardship: The couple has been responsible for the care and upkeep of Highclere Castle since 2001, dedicating themselves to its preservation.
• Literary Connection: Lady Carnarvon is a respected author who has written several historical books, including biographies about the previous countesses, such as Lady Almina, the wife of the 5th Earl, who turned the house into a hospital during World War I—a historical event mirrored in the Downton Abbey storyline.
• Public Access: Highclere Castle is generally open to the public for 60–70 days each year, with specific admission tickets and events for the 2025 season available for booking.
• Architectural Style: The castle is a stunning example of Victorian architecture in the Elizabethan style, with a history stretching back to the 17th century.
• Famous Rooms: The Library, the Dining Room, and the Saloon are instantly recognizable to fans, providing the backdrop for countless dramatic moments.

For fans planning a pilgrimage in 2025, checking the official Highclere Castle website for the latest opening dates and ticket availability is essential, as the property remains a private family home and working estate.

The Scottish Retreat: Inveraray Castle (Duneagle Castle)

When the Crawley family travels north for a grouse shooting holiday in the Season 3 Christmas special, they visit the fictional Duneagle Castle, the Scottish home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Flintshire. In reality, this imposing property is Inveraray Castle, located in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

• Fictional Role: Duneagle Castle, home to Lady Rose Aldridge's in-laws, Lord and Lady Flintshire.
• Real-Life Owners: Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll and the historical seat of the Clan Campbell, one of Scotland’s most powerful clans.
• Unique Detail: The castle sits dramatically on the shore of Loch Fyne, featuring a distinctive pale gray-green color due to the local stone and its unique architectural style, a mix of Baroque, Palladian, and Gothic Revival.
• Downton Connection: The castle's interiors, particularly its grand Hall and Dining Room, were used to depict the imposing scale and slightly more rugged feel of a traditional Scottish baronial estate, contrasting with the softer elegance of Highclere.

The Northern Estate: Alnwick Castle (Brancaster Castle)

Another magnificent estate that served as a temporary home for the Crawleys was Brancaster Castle, the setting for two Downton Abbey Christmas specials (Season 5 and the movie). This location is actually Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England.

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• Fictional Role: Brancaster Castle is the home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Sinderby, the parents of Lady Rose Aldridge’s husband, Atticus. The family visits for a weekend of traditional grouse shooting.
• Famous Screen History: Alnwick Castle has a phenomenal screen pedigree. Beyond Downton Abbey, it is globally recognized as the exterior of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films, a detail that draws millions of visitors annually.
• Architectural Significance: As the second-largest inhabited castle in England (after Windsor Castle), Alnwick Castle dates back to the 11th century and has been the home of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, for over 700 years.
• Visitor Experience: Visitors can tour the spectacular State Rooms that were transformed into Brancaster Castle for the filming, offering a tangible connection to the series’ holiday festivities.

The French Riviera Villa: La Rocabella (Villa of the Doves)

The 2022 film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, introduced a dazzling new location, taking the Crawley family on a trip to the South of France. The stunning Mediterranean mansion inherited by Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, and known as the "Villa of the Doves," is, in reality, La Rocabella.

• Location: La Villa Rocabella is situated in Le Pradet, near Toulon, on the beautiful French Riviera (Côte d'Azur).
• Architectural Style: The villa is a superb example of the Belle Epoque architectural style, characterized by its opulent, neoclassical design. This provides a striking visual contrast to the more traditional Gothic and Victorian architecture of the English estates.
• Unique Detail: Unlike the English castles, which are primarily private residences, Villa Rocabella is often used as a luxury event space, wedding venue, and retreat center, making it a unique and accessible piece of Downton Abbey history for visitors to the region.
• Plot Significance: This new location was central to the film’s plot, representing a fresh chapter and a connection to the Dowager Countess’s mysterious past.

Beyond the Castles: Key Stately Homes and Downton Village

While the grand castles steal the spotlight, the world of Downton Abbey is supported by several other vital filming locations that contribute to the show's topical authority and historical depth.

• Bampton Village, Oxfordshire: The picturesque village of Bampton is the real-life location for the fictional village of Downton. The exterior of the village church, St. Mary’s Church (used as St. Michael and All Angels Church), and Churchgate House (used as the exterior of Isobel Crawley's home) are instantly recognizable.
• Wilton House, Wiltshire: For the first Downton Abbey movie, the interior of Wilton House was used to stand in for Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the monarch. This substitution is a common practice in filmmaking, utilizing the most historically accurate and visually stunning stately homes to represent royal residences.
• Other Grand Estates: The sheer scale of the Downton Abbey universe, which evokes the British "Gilded Age," is often compared to other famous filming locations for period dramas, such as Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House, and Lyme Park, further cementing the show's place in the pantheon of stately home cinematography.

The legacy of Downton Abbey continues to draw millions of fans to the UK and France, eager to experience the enduring elegance and historical atmosphere of these majestic properties. Whether you are touring the Library at Highclere or exploring the grounds of Alnwick Castle, each location offers a unique window into the world of the Crawleys and the architectural splendor of the early 20th century.

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