Ahead Of The Movie, Here Are 3 Ways You Can Experience Downton Abbey In Real Life

If the cinematic debut of Downton Abbey has you psyched, you'll love these curated travel experiences that bring its story to life

If you haven’t heard, Downton Abbey is returning this year with a cinematic debut. After ending the series with a sixth season in 2015, fans of the historical period drama have been left wanting more from the fictitious lives of the aristocratic Crawley family.

Hitting the silver screens in the United Kingdom on September 13 and in Singapore on November 28, the film will be a continuation of the events from the series, set in 1927.

And with the fanfare surrounding the drama, we are sure many viewers will be inspired to take a trip to England and see the grandeur of the Downton Abbey estate—which is actually shot at Highclere Castle—for themselves. We round up three unique experiences and one once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (scroll down to find out!) that will take you into the enthralling universe of Downton Abbey.

Photo 1 of 3 The Harewood House (Image: Harewood House Trust/Zicasso)

Photo 2 of 3 Highclere Castle (Image: Zicasso)

Photo 3 of 3 Grant Harrold, The Royal Butler (Image: The Earl of Elgin/Zicasso)

1. The Downton Abbey Movie Tour by Zicasso

Step into the shoes of the Crawley family in this 10-day tour of England. Besides touring the filming locations of Downton Abbey at the estate of Highclere Castle as well as the Harewood House, the tailored tour offers exclusive experiences like an etiquette class instructed by a former royal butler over a lavish afternoon tea at the Ritz, and a private cooking class where you will learn the customary recipes of 1920s London.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the English countryside at Lacock village in the famous Cotswolds Hills, which also featured in the movie.

zicasso.com

Photo 1 of 3 The facade of Hotel Café Royal (Image: Hotel Café Royal)

Photo 2 of 3 The hotel's historic entrance (Image: Hotel Café Royal)

Photo 3 of 3 Green Bar (Image: Hotel Café Royal)

2. The Royal Package at Hotel Café Royal

Housed in a 19th-century building off London’s Regent Street, Hotel Café Royal’s previous incarnation was a restaurant that had played host to famed patrons such as Princess Diana, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and more.

Enjoy two nights in one of the hotel’s historic suites, and be escorted to your private Rolls Royce as you explore the Highclere Castle, shop in Mayfair and indulge in a butler’s picnic on the grounds of Marlborough House, the birthplace of King George V, who will be featured in the film.

The esteemed hotel’s curated experiences also include its award-winning afternoon tea, a private cocktail masterclass in 1920s-inspired mixology at Hotel Café Royal’s Green Bar, and a private etiquette lesson where you will learn everything from making conversation to handling flatware.

hotelcaferoyal.com

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/leefenn-tripp-4826316/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2146645">leefenn-tripp</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2146645">Pixabay</a>

Photo 1 of 3 A butler waits by the Belmond British Pullman (Image: Belmond)

Photo 2 of 3 The restored 1920s Art Deco carriages on the Belmond British Pullman (Image: Belmond)

Photo 3 of 3 Highclere Castle (Image: leefenn-tripp/Pixabay)

3. A journey to Highclere Castle on the Belmond British Pullman

What better way to experience Great Britain than onboard the glamorous Belmond British Pullman? The private luxury train, which offers day journeys and culinary experiences, will be delighting travellers with two exclusive Downton Abbey journeys on March 18 and September 23, 2020.

Departing from London Victoria station, guests will enjoy a three-course brunch on the journey towards Highclere Castle, where they will be guided on a private tour of the 5,000-acre estate in Hampshire. Then, a champagne reception awaits on the train, followed by a three-course dinner on the way back to London.

belmond.com

Photo 1 of 4 Highclere Castle in the night (Image: Airbnb)

Photo 2 of 4 A butler in Highclere Castle (Image: Airbnb)

Photo 3 of 4 The dining room in Highclere Castle (Image: Airbnb)

Photo 4 of 4 Lady Carnarvon (Image: Airbnb)

Newly announced

A night's stay at Highclere Castle

Two lucky guests will have the opportunity to spend a night at Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed, and home to the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. The once-in-a-lifetime stay will be offered for one night only on November 26, where guests will not only stay in one of the castle's principal bedrooms, but also enjoy an exclusive look into the lives of the British aristocracy. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon will host guests for an intimate evening of cocktails in the saloon followed by a traditional dinner in the state dining room on the first night, followed by coffee that will be served in the library.

The next morning, guests will be served breakfast before embarking on a private tour of the castle grounds, including the iconic drawing room and gallery bedrooms—the 100,000sqft estate boasts a total of 300 rooms. The booking for the listing will open on October 1 at 12pm BST.

airbnb.com/downtonabbey

Topics

luxury travel downton abbey film tour london england highclere castle hotel cafe royal belmond british pullman zicasso