Highclere Castle – Saloon: Downton Abbey Filming Location
Highclere Castle sits like a jewel in the Hampshire countryside, a towering symbol of Victorian grandeur and aristocratic life. The Saloon and other state rooms unfold like a stage set where the Crawley family's rituals—dinners, balls, and intimate conversations—play out against gilded plasterwork and chandeliers. Rebuilt in the 19th century for the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon by Charles Barry, the estate blends centuries of history with a filmic presence that made Downton Abbey synonymous with this house. Walking the halls and stepping into the gardens, visitors feel the hush of a place where memory and drama mingle, inviting stories of power, romance, and loyalty.
About This Downton Abbey Filming Location
Highclere Castle – Saloon serves as one of the most iconic filming locations for Downton Abbey, attracting thousands of fans from around the world each year. This legendary site offers visitors a unique opportunity to step into the world of their favorite characters and experience the magic firsthand.
Whether you're planning a solo pilgrimage or organizing a group trip, this location provides the perfect backdrop for recreating memorable scenes, taking photos, and immersing yourself in the Downton Abbey universe. Many fans consider visiting this site a must-do experience for any true enthusiast.
Fan Pilgrimage Tips
- • Best photo opportunities are typically in the early morning or late afternoon for ideal lighting
- • Bring props or costumes to recreate iconic scenes from Downton Abbey
- • Check local weather conditions and dress appropriately for outdoor locations
- • Respect any filming restrictions and private property boundaries
- • Consider visiting during off-peak times to avoid crowds and get better photos
Visiting Information & Practical Details
Photo Opportunities and Best Views
Downton Abbey Scenes Filmed at Highclere Castle – Saloon
Filming at Saloon
Highclere Castle stands in for Downton Abbey, the Crawley family’s stately home. Visitors can tour the state rooms, drawing rooms, library and grounds.
Tours & Experiences
Continue Your Journey
Finished exploring Highclere Castle – Saloon? The adventure doesn't have to end here. Discover more magical filming locations nearby and extend your Downton Abbey pilgrimage.
Highclere Castle – Saloon
Downton Abbey • Nearby
Highclere Castle sits like a jewel in the Hampshire countryside, a towering symbol of Victorian grandeur and aristocratic life. The Saloon and other state rooms unfold like a stage set where the Crawley family's rituals—dinners, balls, and intimate conversations—play out against gilded plasterwork and chandeliers. Rebuilt in the 19th century for the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon by Charles Barry, the estate blends centuries of history with a filmic presence that made Downton Abbey synonymous with this house. Walking the halls and stepping into the gardens, visitors feel the hush of a place where memory and drama mingle, inviting stories of power, romance, and loyalty.
Highclere Castle – Smoking Room
Downton Abbey • 0.0km away
Highclere Castle rises with stately, Palladian-inflected grandeur in the Hampshire countryside, a symbol of English country-house heritage. Best known today as Downton Abbey, it has welcomed royalty, filmmakers, and generations of visitors who stroll its great halls and expansive grounds. The Smoking Room, with its warm wood paneling and amber glow, embodies the intimate spaces where family decisions and discreet conversations unfold after dinner and into the night. The castle’s sweeping facade and lush estate create an atmosphere of timeless ceremony tempered by the human dramas that play out within its walls.
Highclere Castle – Music Room
Downton Abbey • 0.0km away
Highclere Castle's Music Room sits within one of England's most iconic stately homes, weaving centuries of aristocratic history with film fame. Built in the mid-19th century for the Carnarvon family in a refined Jacobethan style, the castle gained global recognition as Downton Abbey, the Crawley family's beloved residence, bringing a sense of grandeur to the Hampshire landscape. The Music Room embodies the estate's blend of ceremony and warmth, with carved plaster, gilded panels, and superb acoustics that once hosted piano recitals and refined salon conversations. Today, visitors experience the atmosphere through guided tours of the state rooms and the surrounding parkland, where the timeless hush of the countryside lingers with echoes of Downton Abbey.