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5 high society hotel stays for a grand Downton Abbey getaway

Going to Brown’s Hotel in London, where some of the scenes in Downton Abbey were filmed, is like stepping into a bygone era with rooms that feature antique furniture, period fireplaces and marble en suites, and are so large that you can lose your family in them.

September’s long-awaited Downton Abbey film has propelled all things quintessentially British, charming and aristocratic onto our radar. Live as if you were in the UK television drama with a trip to these luxury hotels near the show’s famous filming locations.

Four Seasons Hampshire

Four Seasons Hampshire

This Georgian manor house merges upper-class chic with pure hipsterdom, thanks to a recent refurbishment that has it prepped for a sophisticated getaway as well as a social media frenzy.

There’s a red leather bar, Highwire Adventure obstacle course and crystal steam room to keep guests busy. Or if you’re just here for posing, the vintage wallpaper, deep purple hydrangeas and glamorous oil paintings make brilliant backdrops.

Located in the heart of the rolling Hampshire countryside, this is a great stay for those who want Downton on their doorstep.

See: Less than an hour’s drive away, Highclere Castle in Berkshire is Downton Abbey. This gorgeous castle sits pretty in Berkshire, and on screen it’s home to the Crawley family.

However, in real life Highclere Castle is the seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, whose family have lived there since 1679. It’s open to the public around 70 days of the year, including some summer months and a few days at Christmas, so check with Lightfoot Travel before planning your trip.

Cliveden House

Cliveden House

Cliveden House, the former home of several Dukes and the hotel where Meghan Markle stayed the night before her wedding to Prince Harry, is shrouded in history and intrigue.

Rooms are named after figures from the house’s past and decorated accordingly, complemented by state-of-the-art technology and marble bathrooms. Dine in the Andre Garrett Restaurant, which serves modern British cuisine, or the relaxed Astor Grill. We recommend The Lady Astor and The Prince of Wales suites, on the first floor of the main house.

See: Season three’s Christmas special saw the grounds of Eton College in Windsor transformed into the Thirsk Country Fair, giving the servants of Downton Abbey a chance to chill (and enjoy a tug of war) while the family were away.

Just a 20-minute drive from Cliveden House, heritage tours and exhibitions of this prestigious college – which was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI and counts actors Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne and Harry Hadden-Paton (who plays Herbert “Bertie” Pelham, 7th Marquess of Hexham, in Downton Abbey) as alumni – take place at various times throughout the year.

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

The honey-hued Cotswold stone manor and its 16th-century ponds framed by Provençal lavender and sprawling vines make this hotel not only Instagram-ready, but also the ultimate in stately English heritage and French fancy. The vision of chef-patron Raymond Blanc, his passion for luxury and finery is evident from the individually designed suites (Jade is decked out as an Asian boudoir) to the restaurant’s seven-course tasting menus. Play croquet on the lawn and learn the secrets of the garden in summer; join the cookery school and snuggle by the open fires in winter.

See: For Downtonians, a visit to the nearby Cotswolds village of Bampton, aka actual Downton Village, is a must. Located about 20 miles west of Oxford, several locations such as St Mary’s Church – where Mary and Matthew got married, and Lady Edith was jilted at the altar – have appeared regularly in the TV series. While here, stop at Cogges Manor Farm, otherwise known as Yew Tree Farm in the show.

Brown’s Hotel London

Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel

You feel like you’re stepping into a bygone era at Brown’s. Located in one of London’s poshest postcodes, it opened its doors in 1837 and has welcomed a long list of celebrities and dignitaries over the centuries (so the Dowager would approve). The rooms feature antique furniture, period fireplaces and marble en suites, and are so large that you can lose your family in them. Beck, the Italian fine-dining restaurant, is a culinary destination in its own right; the traditional afternoon tea takes place in one of the oldest tea rooms in London; and the Donovan Bar is the place to be as live music welcomes the night in.

See: Dust off your walking boots and prepare for a proper Downton pilgrimage. Fifteen minutes away, the glamorous interior of Lancaster House, St James, was used to portray Buckingham Palace; Rules Restaurant in Covent Garden is where Lady Edith and Michael Gregson had lunch; and the infamous Savile Club was transformed into Downton’s Lotus Club when the show entered the roaring spirit of the 1920s. The famous Ritz Hotel was the location for the final episode.

Cameron House

 

A devastating fire ravaged Cameron House in 2017, but while a careful restoration project takes place, the luxurious Cameron Lodges – scattered within the grounds of Cameron House – are a fabulous self-catering option. Boasting sweeping views from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, spacious bedrooms and all mod cons, they’re perfect for families and larger groups.

They’re also within caber-tossing distance of Cameron Spa, Carrick Golf Course, the Marina, Boat House and Clubhouse which are all open as usual.

See: In addition to Segway safaris, loch cruises and Loch Lomond seaplane trips, Downton fans should travel 50 minutes to Inveraray Castle which appears as Duneagle Castle, the home of the Grantham’s cousins, Lord and Lady Flintshire. Producers also chose the wild landscapes of western Scotland to shoot that Christmas special which involved Matthew and Mary, their baby, the car … and lots of blubbing into your Brussels sprouts.

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Are you a diehard Downtonian? Then these luxury hotels – all near locations where the blockbuster British TV series was filmed, from Highclere Castle to the Ritz Hotel – are perfect for an aristocratic break from reality