London

Downton Abbey and Oxford Tour from London Including Highclere Castle

Greater London, United Kingdom
Likely to Sell Out

From USD 203.96

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Non-refundable
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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  • 10 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Visit Oxford and top 'Downton Abbey' filming locations on this day trip from London. Start the day with a walking tour of Oxford and its famous university buildings, and then continue to the Cotswolds’ village of Bampton, which is also known as Downton village in the award-winning British TV series. Visit the magnificent Highclere Castle, known in the show as 'Downton Abbey,' in Hampshire.
  • Full-day Downton Abbey tour to Bampton and Highclere Castle
  • Explore Oxford and Oxford University
  • See Matthew Crawley's mother's house in the picturesque village of Bampton
  • Go to Highclere Castle, and explore its gorgeous grounds
  • Walk through rooms frequented by popular characters in the TV series

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

This accessible tour makes it easy to explore two top UK destinations—Oxford and Highclere Castle—in one day.

What's Included

  • Entry to Highclere Castle
  • Walking tour of Oxford and a village of Bampton
  • A copy of Lady Carnarvon's autobiography
  • Professional guide
  • Transportation by Luxury Air-Conditioned Coach
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Victoria Coach Station
    Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9TP, UK

    Located approximately 7 minutes walk from Victoria Underground and Railway station. Tour departs inside the building at Gate 19 at 8:15am (Boarding starts at 8:00am).

Start time

08:15 am

End point

  • Victoria Railway Station
    Victoria Railway Station, 115 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9SA, UK

    The station is served by the Victoria, District and Circle line with easy access to trains/buses/taxis.

What To Expect

Depart from central London by coach and travel to the historical city of Oxford. As you travel, hear about the world-famous University of Oxford whose ivy-strewn buildings you visit during your comprehensive walking tour.

On arrival, follow your guide along the timeworn streets, and check off top sights like the Bridge of Sighs. Then enjoy free time to sightsee independently.

When the time comes, return to your coach and relax on the journey to Bampton village in Oxfordshire, which is featured in 'Downton Abbey' as Downton village. Pass recognizable sights like the church where Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley wed and Grantham Arms. Go to the Bampton Community Archive, as well as a local exhibition about the village’s history.

Afterward, continue on south to Hampshire, where the grand Highclere Castle awaits. The estate, which dates back to the Victorian eta, is set amid 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of rolling parkland and was featured as Downton Abbey on the show. Tour the castle’s opulent rooms with your guide, and see the main hall and library—all used in the filming of 'Downton Abbey.' Hear about your favorite Downton characters and the real-life family who owns Highclere.

Make the most of some free time before jumping back in your coach for the return drive to London.

University of Oxford

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Highclere Castle

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

St Mary's Church

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • The itinerary is subject to change. The visit to Bampton cannot be guaranteed in case of events taking place in the village. In this case extra time will be spent in Oxford.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 travellers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

    Traveller Photos

    See more
    Featured review
    Elizabeth_L
    Great guide and driver! Zozo and Roberto were great. Friendly, helpful, very informative. Had some road closures in Oxford, so had to rush. Was afraid we would be short at Highclere, but had plenty of time. Lots of steps and climbing so be aware if that’s an issue. We also wish they provided headsets for the walking tour parts. Too big of a group to hear the guide when out of bus. On bus was great. Seats were comfortable, but a bit tight if you are a larger person. None of the above deterred us, but was worth mentioning for others. We had a great experience and highly recommend it if you can get ZoZo for your guide!

    Reviews

    4.5
    588 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travellers.
    Showing 1-10 of 588 reviews
    Great time, long day.
    Mark_T, Sept 2023
    A wonderful tour of you are Downton Abbey fans. Trips to Bampton and Oxford were fun and informative. If you are a Harry Potter fan, visit the Christ Church in Oxford to see the Great dining hall. Had a great time and would recommend this tour.
    Loved tour of Oxford,...
    Debra_H, Sept 2023
    Loved tour of Oxford, very informative. So helpful to have staff bring our a wheelchair to make getting to castle entrance easier for my companion.
    Highclere Castle and more...
    Vilma_A, Sept 2023
    This trip was EVERYTHING for me as a "Downton Abbey" fan! We started with a trip to Oxford, beautiful and historic city. A quick tour of the univ. Next the town of Bampton where parts of the city is use in the DA series, and last... the stop at Highclere Castle. Beautiful. The gardens amazing. It's a FULL day, coach was clean, comfortable and our guide Andrew was wonderful. Funny, engaging and truly patient with all our questions. This excursion included a hard cover book of the castle (totally loved). I very much highly recommend this trip.
    Great Downton Tour
    Lisa_W, Sept 2023
    Great tour, if you are a Downton fan this tour is for you. If not there is still enough history provided and sights seen that will still make the tour enjoyable. Peter our guide was brilliant. Right balance of information and talking. Oxford is stunning and short walking tour of the town and some free time to grab lunch (there is no where else to stop to buy lunch, bring snacks if needed) But it was enough time to Wonder around and buy some food. Next stop was Bampton. Stunning village and home to Mrs Crawly, the town fair and the Church. You get the opportunity to go in the church (pending any services or events happening) and a small time to Wonder the village. The architecture in the area is stunning. It was also a spot to eat (quickly, can also eat on the bus) Our last stop was Downton Abbey, aka Highclere Castle.... No photos allowed inside. We got there just after 3pm and if you want to go for the Egypt Exhibition, you may not be allowed to upgrade your ticket. Last ticket is at 3pm... Though there would be time to do both... It would be great if the tour company gave this offer at time of purchase. You see most of the rooms as seen on the show. And plenty of time to Wonder the grounds and gardens. Onsite shop and have an option for afternoon tea. On the day we visited last orders were at 4pm which was when I got out of the Abbey..... You have about two hours at the Abbey. The free book is heavy!!!! So if you want to watch luagge weight, keep this in mind. Hardcover and no choice given. Has some recipes and life about Highclere. Overall highly recommend the tour. Shame they don't offer year round tours (Abbey is not open year round)
    Great Tour!
    Joe_S, Sept 2023
    My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Oxford, Bampton and Highclere Castle! ChaCha (not sure of spelling) was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor which made the day very entertaining for all. Robert was a skillful driver in navigating the narrow streets of Oxford for us. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in seeing the Downton filming sites and a nice trip to the Cotswolds.
    Great tour!
    Elizabeth_L, Sept 2023
    Great guide and driver! Zozo and Roberto were great. Friendly, helpful, very informative. Had some road closures in Oxford, so had to rush. Was afraid we would be short at Highclere, but had plenty of time. Lots of steps and climbing so be aware if that’s an issue. We also wish they provided headsets for the walking tour parts. Too big of a group to hear the guide when out of bus. On bus was great. Seats were comfortable, but a bit tight if you are a larger person. None of the above deterred us, but was worth mentioning for others. We had a great experience and highly recommend it if you can get ZoZo for your guide!
    Wonderful tour!
    Lariss_O, Sept 2023
    Wonderful, wonderful tour! Our tour guide, Andrew, was superbly organised, very witty and super helpful. Though the tour covered 3 locations, we did not feel rushed. We had sufficient time to visit each place/shop and/or eat. Our driver, Andrei (not sure if this is the correct spelling) expertly manoeuvred our big coach through narrow streets and the traffic. Highly recommend this tour!
    My bucket list
    Judith_G, Sept 2023
    Seeing where Downton Abbey was filmed, was really exciting for me! The tour guide on the coach was also very good.
    Great tour
    Pamela_R, Sept 2023
    We loved our tour guide Peter. He was hilarious! We want to bottle his charm and wit and take it back to NY with us.
    DO IT!!
    Deborah_H, Sept 2023
    We met up at Victoria Coach Station (don't use the WC's/toilets). Coach was comfortable and our driver, Andre, was amazing at navagating tight streets ! Our Guide for the day, Andrew, was FABULOUS! Lots of knowledge, always accessible for questions, and made the overall tour just that much more fun. Oxford is amazing-SO MUCH history! The town of Bampton, sweet as can be, and the highlight....oh yes, DOWNTON ABBEY! The castle is amazing. So awesome to go through the rooms and place it back to the show! Highly recommend this tour.
    Excellent
    Lisa_M, Aug 2023
    Wonderful trip!!! I went because of seeing Downton or Highclere Castle which was amazing. I really enjoyed seeing Oxford & going to Brampton. I highly recommend this tour.
    Informative and fun
    Scott_W, Aug 2023
    Our tour guide is as awesome… knowledgeable and entertaining… the most surprising part was the tour of Oxford… really was t that interested until I got there… had no idea of the history
    Excellent excursion!!!!
    Stephen_G, Aug 2023
    Excellent excursion with an excellent guide. Our tour guide was most informative, showing the differences between the different features of the varying eras of the architecture. It was genuinely most informative and interesting. We certainly came away knowing far more than before. I’d happily recommend this tour to others!!!!!
    Our tour guide was Peter...
    Andrea_W, Aug 2023
    Our tour guide was Peter Pan. He was excellent and very knowledgeable and informative. Excellent tour.
    Karen was a great and...
    Rob_K, Aug 2023
    Karen was a great and knowledgeable guide, and the tour was everything we hoped it would be. Very well organized.
    Almost Perfect
    Tamara_K, Aug 2023
    The Premier tours guide was excellent. He was informative, personable, and funny. Great time in Oxford, Bampton in the bush, and at Highclere Castle. Only downside was we booked an upgrade on the Viator app but an additional autographed book and we did not receive it. The tour guide said to speak with Viator as they haven’t been honoring that offer so we paid out of pocket for our books at the fight shop. I hope Viator provides us with a refund for the upgrade portion not honored.
    The tour guide makes all the difference.
    Scott_B, Aug 2023
    Karen was the best tour guide ever! The destinations are the destinations, but the tour guide makes all the difference!
    Excellent Tour
    Linda_H, Aug 2023
    Seeing the actual castle and interiors of Downton Abbey was thrilling. We felt as though we were transported into the world of our favorite characters. We recalled scenes from the show and saw the places where they occurred. The visit to Oxford was lovely as well. Our guide, Karen, and driver Andre, were spectacular! Andrew maneuvered us around some precarious traffic situations without missing a beat! I would highly recommend this tour!
    Great day out
    Stephanie_T, Aug 2023
    Great trip! It was awesome to see Highclere Castle in person. Our guide Carol and driver Chris were both amazing.
    Amazing experience.
    Dawn_W, Aug 2023
    Peter our guide was awesome, he was funny and knowledgeable. Walking through Highclere was an unbelievable experience - the staff were so amazing and really gave a lot of details. Definitely a bucket list place to go if you loved Downton Abbey.
    ...

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