Step Into the World of Downton Abbey

Few television dramas have captured the world’s imagination quite like Downton Abbey. With its sweeping storylines, unforgettable characters and the grandeur of Highclere Castle as its backdrop, the series has reignited global fascination with Britain’s great estates and the elegance of Edwardian life.

For many, the show isn’t just entertainment, it’s an escape into a bygone world of glittering dining rooms, morning room rituals and serene countryside views. While the Crawleys’ home may be firmly rooted in fiction, there are many extraordinary properties across the UK where you can enjoy your own taste of aristocratic living.

Broughton Hall, Yorkshire

If Lord Grantham were looking for a weekend retreat, Broughton Hall would be it. With 16 bedrooms, glittering chandeliers and a dining room fit for a banquet, it’s the sort of estate that could host a ball straight out of a Downton storyline. Surrounded by 3,000 acres of grounds, it captures the grandeur and scale of the Crawley family’s Yorkshire home.

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North Wessex Manor, Berkshire Downs

Steeped in history, this 17th-century manor feels like it could easily have been part of the Downton estate portfolio. Its four-poster beds and richly textured interiors recall the Crawleys’ bedrooms, where dramas often unfolded behind closed doors. Set among rolling hills, it’s an atmospheric property that evokes the timeless English countryside of Downton Abbey.

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Nuthatch Manor, Herefordshire

Charming yet refined, Nuthatch Manor has the same warmth as Crawley family gatherings in the sitting room. The wood-beamed ceilings and sweeping lawns are perfect for envisioning scenes of genteel afternoon teas or romantic garden strolls. It’s a property that channels the intimacy of family life upstairs, with all the splendour of an English country home.

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Plas Efailnewydd, North Wales

This Welsh manor would suit Lady Sybil perfectly – grand yet approachable, with a strong sense of place. The ornate fireplaces and sash windows reflect the elegance of Edwardian interiors, while the surrounding countryside adds a sense of freedom. Like Downton Abbey itself, Plas Efailnewydd balances tradition with warmth, making it ideal for family reunions or celebrations.

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The Victorian Manor, North Devon

Turrets, sash windows and formal gardens give The Victorian Manor a fairytale quality. It’s the kind of home you can imagine hosting a society weekend, complete with elegant dinners, croquet on the lawn and candlelit evenings in grand reception rooms. A house made for entertaining, it echoes the glamour of Lady Violet’s world of sharp wit and impeccable standards.

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Cornish Castle, Cornwall

If Downton Abbey had ever taken the Crawleys on a coastal holiday, this would be their destination. Cornish Castle combines dramatic waterside views with the romance of fortress walls and turrets. Its cinematic quality makes it easy to picture scenes of glamorous house parties or quiet moments overlooking the cliffs. It’s a stay that blends aristocratic elegance with wild natural beauty.

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Windermere Retreat, Lake District

With sweeping views of Lake Windermere, this retreat offers the kind of breathtaking scenery that Lady Mary might escape to when in need of reflection. The blend of Edwardian elegance with modern comfort feels very much in the spirit of the show’s later storylines, where tradition meets the new age.

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