Take the Family to Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey swept into family rooms and show-binging homes back in 2010 and is now resurfacing with a new story — this time on film! For Downton Abbey enthusiasts, this is a highly-anticipated event; for newcomers, this is a great chance to binge the show ahead of the film’s release; and for families looking for any excuse to get away, this is the time to take advantage of CIE Tours lineup of Downton Abbey-themed stops.

Catch up with the Crawleys before heading on an adventure to the real-life destinations that set the scenes for the famous family.

Build your own Private Driver itinerary with CIE Tours, complete with all the iconic Downton Abbey locations. Relive your family’s favorite scenes and moments in person and get all the goods and insider knowledge of the neighborhood from your expert, local driver, including hidden gems along the way.

See the countryside at a leisurely pace with the Private Driver experience, which effortlessly combines the freedom of unstructured travel with the guidance, assistance and convenience of a guided tour.

St. Michael’s Church in Bampton Village, England. Photo: Katyenka | Dreamstime.com

Stroll through Bampton in Oxfordshire, or what fans may know as the village featured in the Downton series, including the church in Bampton that can be found in many scenes from local town festivals and events in the series.

Another stop, Highclere Castle in Hampshire, is the main set for the Downton Abbey castle, both in the TV series and new film. Visit the Gothic house with its grand rooms and history, home to Lord and Lady Carnarvon.

Visit Lady Edith’s home, known as Brancaster or Alnwick Castle. Stop by the cinematic exhibit showcasing costumes, photography and props from the show. Cinephiles can delight in the fact this castle was also featured a few times in the Harry Potter movies and Transformers: The Last Knight.

Check out all the cinematic stops with the help of CIE experts and your driver.

Guests also enjoy pre-booked hotels and easy transportation to each excursion. All excursions are self-appointed and planned. Just choose your must-see destinations or ask your driver for suggestions. This allows for guests to enjoy freedom to start their day when they want and dine where and when they want — all with helpful suggestions from the driver — a great option for families to move at their own pace while feeling like a local.

For something similar, but with a little more structure, check out the Best of Southern England tour, kicking off next year.