Relive all of those unforgettable Downton Abbey moments... this time, ‘for real’!

Downton Abbey may be temporarily off our screens while we await the release of the eagerly anticipated feature film later this year, but that doesn’t mean 2019 needs to be an almost Downton-less year for you.

Indeed, if you’re an obsessive fan of the ITV period drama that made loveable and empathetic characters out of the likes of Robert Crawley, the 7^th Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Lady Sybil Crawley (Jessica Brown Findlay) and “Charlie” Carson (Jim Carter), you really can’t do better than directly experiencing the majestic property that the world knows as Downton Abbey.

Wait... is Downton Abbey a real place?

Well, it is – sort of. You see, the main filming location for the award-winning show was no less than Highclere Castle, which is situated a mere 20-minute drive from Regency Park Hotel.

Unfortunately, you won’t meet the characters themselves on a visit to the real-life Downton Abbey. You therefore won’t be able to quiz them on such memorable events in the series as Kemal Pamuk’s death in Lady Mary’s bed, Matthew Crawley’s car-crash demise or Lady Edith being jilted at the altar – or for that matter, even setting the house on fire.

The ‘real-life’ Downton Abbey, however, is scarcely any less fascinating than the fictional one. This Jacobethan-style country house may put you in mind of a certain other iconic English building, the Houses of Parliament, and there’s a good reason for that – the celebrated architect Sir Charles Barry was instrumental in the design of both.

Plus, with such parts of Highclere Castle as its great hall, dining room, music room, library and drawing room having also been used for filming, you can be assured of feeling that ‘Downton spirit’ both inside and outside – the latter distinguished by an immaculate landscaped park designed by Capability Brown.

Combine your Highclere Castle experience with one of our latest special offers

Whether you know this monumental heritage venue – which remains the country seat of the real-life Earl of Carnarvon – as Downton Abbey or Highclere Castle, there’s no doubt about how magical an experience a visit can be.

However, the house is not always open to the public, so it is essential that you first check the official Highclere Castle website and secure tickets if you wish to take it all in for yourself.

As for the best choice of accommodation near Downton Abbey, mixing the utmost comfort, convenience and affordability... well, that can only be Regency Park Hotel. Check out our current special offers online today, and you might just see a golden opportunity to treat yourself and any companions at this time of year when – let’s face it – we all need as much escapism as we can get.