For The Downton Abbey, Harry Potter Fans

Duration: ~10–11 hours
Pickup/Drop-off: Oxford Parkway Station (OXP) – main concourse by the ticket gates. London & Airports also an option

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WHY THIS TOUR

• Step Inside the Screen: Move beyond being a spectator. This tour allows you to stand in the exact cloisters where Harry Potter walked, stroll the village green of Downton Abbey, and witness the monumental scale of estates used in Bridgerton and 007.

• The Insider’s Script: Hosted by locals who were here when the cameras were rolling. We share "behind-the-lens" intelligence—from the secrets of the Spectre car chase at Blenheim to how they turned a summer day in Snowshill into a winter wonderland for Bridget Jones.

• A Masterclass in Location: See why directors choose the Cotswolds. We focus on the architectural heritage that makes our villages the "go-to" for period dramas like The Crown and Emma, navigating the narrow lanes that large tour buses are banned from entering.

• Picture-Perfect Precision: We don’t just show you the village; we show you the angle. We’ll help you capture the perfect photo to recreate your favorite scenes from The Holiday, Father Brown, or Midsomer Murders

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​​​​The "Big Screen" Highlights

• Gloucester Cathedral (Harry Potter): The ultimate pilgrimage for fans. Walk the massive, ornate cloisters that served as the corridors of Hogwarts, where the "Troll in the dungeon" was hunted and the "Blood on the walls" appeared in the Chamber of Secrets.

• Bampton (Downton Abbey): This is the definitive "Downton Village." It isn't just a backdrop; it’s the entire set. See the church where Lady Mary was married, the "Grantham Arms" pub, and the Post Office that served as the Cottage Hospital.

• Oxford & Christ Church (Harry Potter & Endeavour): Step into the Divinity School (the Hogwarts Infirmary) and climb the 16th-century stone staircase at Christ Church where Professor McGonagall first greeted the new students.

• Blenheim Palace (Bridgerton, 007, & The Crown): A true cinematic powerhouse. Explore the Italian Gardens from Spectre (007), the grand state rooms used in The Crown, and the "Harry Potter Tree" (the Cedar of Lebanon) sitting by the lake.

• Snowshill (Bridget Jones’s Diary): The peak of "Chocolate Box" England. Stand in the village square where Bridget walked through the "snow" to her parents' house in the beloved Christmas classic.

• Swinbrook & Asthall (The Holiday & Downton Abbey): Visit the riverside pub where Lady Sybil eloped with Branson in Downton and the quintessential lanes that captured the "winter cottage" magic of The Holiday.

• The Slaughters (Emma & Father Brown): Experience the 17th-century authenticity of these twin hamlets, used as the primary backdrop for Anya Taylor-Joy’s Emma and the long-running Father Brown mysteries.

• Optional Dinner at The Bull, Charlbury: Dine at the National Pub & Bar of the Year 2025—a favorite retreat for A-list cast and crew filming in the local Oxfordshire valleys.

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Movies & Films in the Cotswolds

• Harry Potter Series: Oxford’s Bodleian Library and New College Cloisters (Hogwarts), plus the "Harry Potter Tree" at Blenheim Palace.

• Downton Abbey: The village of Bampton (the Church, Hospital, and Post Office) and Cogges Manor Farm (Yew Tree Farm).

• Bridgerton & Queen Charlotte: Blenheim Palace and the streets of Bath (often paired with Cotswold tours).

• 007: Spectre: The dramatic car chase and grand courtyard scenes at Blenheim Palace.

• Bridget Jones’s Diary: The village of Snowshill (Bridget’s family home during the famous "snowy" Christmas scenes).

• The Holiday: Swinbrook and the surrounding Windrush Valley lanes provided the quintessential English "winter cottage" vibe.

• The Crown: Numerous estates across the region stand in for various Royal residences, including Highgrove and Blenheim.

• Pride & Prejudice (2005): Various locations including the village of Luckington on the Cotswold edge.

• Napoleon (2023): Ridley Scott utilized the grand interiors and grounds of Blenheim Palace.

• Father Brown: Almost entirely filmed in the Cotswolds, specifically Blockley, Guiting Power, and Winchcombe.

• Midsomer Murders: Frequently filmed in the "Hidden Valleys" near Swinbrook, Asthall, and Taynton.​

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Famous Actors Spotted "On Set"

• Jeremy Clarkson: A local mainstay, usually found at Diddly Squat Farm or The Farmer’s Dog.

• Hugh Grant: A long-time local resident often seen in the villages near Stroud and Burford.

• Kate Moss: A resident of the "Hidden Valleys" near Little Faringdon.

• David & Victoria Beckham: Residents of the Great Tew Estate, frequently seen in the local area.

• Daniel Craig: Filmed extensively at Blenheim Palace for Spectre.

• Jude Law: A local resident often spotted enjoying the quiet of the North Cotswold hills.

• Maggie Smith: Spent years filming in Bampton as the iconic Dowager Countess of Grantham.

• Patrick Stewart: A frequent visitor and resident within the Cotswold borders.

• The Mitford Sisters: While not actors, these 20th-century celebrities of Swinbrook have had their lives adapted for screen multiple times.

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WHAT YOU CAN VISIT   

The Bell, Charlbury: A beautifully restored 17th-century inn offering a relaxed, authentic atmosphere and exceptional local ales.

The Lamb Inn, Shipton: A classic honey-stone coaching inn featuring cozy inglenook fireplaces and a superb garden for al fresco dining.

NOTABLE STOPS

WHERE YOU DEPART FROM

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Private luxury SUV (e.g., Porsche Cayenne) with local driver-guide.

• Door-to-door pickup/drop-off at Oxford Parkway (OXP).

• Route planning, fuel, parking, insurance, bottled water.

• Baby/child seat on request.

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NOT INCLUDED

• Food and drink (e.g., Daylesford, tea rooms, pubs).

• Venue tickets (e.g., Blenheim Palace interiors).

• Gratuities (optional).

FURTHER READING

• Read about our village guides. Read More.

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NEXT STEPS

• Secure your date with a 30% deposit; balance just before your tour date (Klarma available).Email: info@cotswoldsdaytours.co.uk | Phone/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7399-343069