Stunning chocolate-box village that’s one of the oldest in the UK is ‘the real-life Downton’ from hit ITV show

FOR anyone who can't wait seven months for the next Downton Abbey movie, how about a visit to the real-life village instead.

The beloved TV series and franchise was filmed all over the UK, but the sweet Cotswolds hamlet of Bampton is the literal Downton Abbey village.

Fans will know that the fictional Downton village is found in Yorkshire between Ripon and Thirsk, or so they say.

In reality, it was filmed much further south, the cobbled hamlet of Bampton in Oxfordshire was used to film all of the village scenes - there's even a Downton Abbey filming locations map called the ‘Downton Abbey Mile' outside the churchyard, a route to catch all the major backdrops.

In the heart of the hamlet is St Mary's Church, which is a major sight in Downton Abbey. It's been the centre of weddings, funerals and christenings.

Central characters Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew Crawley () tied the knot there in the third series.

Also filmed at the church was the moment Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) was jilted at the altar by Sir Anthony Strallan (Robert Bathurst) - also in series three.

Directly across from St Mary's Church is Church Close, the street which became the home of Downton village's local pub, The Grantham Arms.

Lots of characters end up popping in, most memorably, Tom Branson (Allen Leech) was forced to stay there after losing his job as a chauffeur.

In reality, The Grantham Arms is a home that was transformed with some signs, window dressing and tables out on the pavement.

The green outside the church was also used for the village fair, and as a war memorial for a Christmas special.

Right next to the church is the Old Rectory, or for any fan of the show, Isobel Crawley's () home.

With it being behind a wall and gate you can only see the top of a grand bay window. It was only used as the exterior scenes with Mrs Crawley often catching residents of Downton Abbey for a chat.

The interior scenes were filmed at Hall Place in Buckinghamshire.

The Bampton library was the filming location of Downton Cottage Hospital where Doctor Clarkson (David Robb) tended to his many patients.

The building was once a grammar school but is now used as an archive library and museum for Bampton history.

One of the most recognisable streets for fans is Church View road as it makes up the majority of the village.

One of the homes was made up to look like the Dog and Duck pub and another house was used to become the outside of the post office.

With a Bampton Downton Abbey filming location leaflet with a map, it's easy enough to do your own walking tour around the village and complete the 'Downton Abbey Mile'.

As for the rest of Bampton, the village has classic Cotswold stone houses and almost 100 listed buildings.

The village dates back to the Iron Age and is one of the oldest towns in England... and one of the prettiest in Oxfordshire.

There are also two coffee shops, a butcher, a deli, a charity shop, an art gallery, antique store and garden centre.

The village also has a 600-year-long tradition of Morris dancing, it's taken very seriously and is one of the few English towns that have continued the tradition performing on the late May bank holiday every year for around five hours all around Bampton.

One of the Grade II listed buildings in the village if the family-run pub, Morris Clown.

The pub proved controversial as Morris dancing teams have a fool, not a clown, which led to a boycott for 25 years where Morris dancers of Bampton refused to drink there, but after a reconciliation it is now their home pub.

It's worth a visit for non-Morris dancers too, as the pub was also featured in the 2023 Good Beer Guide for Oxfordshire.

If you're travelling to the Cotswolds and want to make the most your sight-seeing time, Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey is only a hour's drive away.

Downton Abbey has filmed there since 2010 and they offer their own guided tour of the house for film buffs for £140.

If you take it into your own hands, general admission to the castle and grounds start at £22.50 for adults.

In terms of places to stay, Bampton is fairly expensive. But there are the towns of Faringdon, and Witney in the surrounding area that has a room rate from £26 in certain hotels.

For anyone wanting a luxurious experience, nearby you'll find The Lakes by Yoo Hotel found in Lechlade.

The luxury lakeside properties that offer wellness retreats and have an onsite spa with rates that start at £207 per night.

It's also a popular spot for celebrities. Jade Jagger has stayed there as well as Jack Grealish, Mark Owen, Kay Burley even successfully hid there on Celebrity Hunted.

Ten minutes down the road from Bampton is Mollie's Motel & Diner, with guests loving it for its affordable Soho House vibes and reasonable room rates starting from £70 a night.

One reviewer said on TripAdvisor "the cool style of Soho House really elevated this budget hotel".

You don't even have to stay if you don't want to, just pick up some classic American food from the drive-thru. One customer said the "burgers were amazing, and the dessert milkshake was perfect".

Bampton is also very close to the enchanting town of Bibury, which is regularly described as "the most beautiful village in England".

In particular, the Arlington Row, a row of cottages built in 1380 which are some of the most photographed sites in England.