Start your day with a hotel pickup by black cab, and meet your professional driver who doubles up as your personal guide. Then, sink into one of the cab’s comfortable seats, and listen to tales and trivia about the popular Downton Abbey TV series and life in post-Edwardian England as you travel out of London.
Stop first at Highclere Castle, arguably the most famous Downton filming location. Pose for photos by the country estate’s distinctive Jacobethan fa ade and then head inside. After paying your entrance fee, wander around the lavish state rooms with your guide and hear insider gossip about characters such as the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Lady Mary.
After touring the house, head outside to explore the grounds. Stroll through Monk’s Garden, the Wood of Goodwill and the Secret Garden, and ask your guide any questions you have about Highclere Castle and the 1,000-year-old estate’s role as the Grantham’s family home.
Next, return to your cab and travel to the Cotswolds, a region characterized by postcard-perfect parishes comprised of thatched cottages, honey-hued mansions and historical churches. Stop in Bampton, the setting of Downton village, and see sights like Downton hospital, the Crawley family home and St Mary’s Church. Then, visit a 300-year-old pub for traditional ‘pub grub’ (hearty British food) such as fish and chips or sausages and mash (own expense).
When the time comes, begin the return journey to London. Before your tour concludes with a hotel drop-off, enjoy a drive around the city to see the establishments visited by the landed gentry of today.