to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You’ve marvelled at the movie and tuned into the TV show, now you can visit those iconic locations seen on the screen.
Step inside the real-life Downton Abbey or follow in the footsteps of The Crown’s Royal Family: set jet to Hampshire to visit these famous film and television locations.
Highclere Castle: Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle is instantly recognisable as Downton Abbey, the British historical drama television series of six seasons followed by two movies and a third and final movie in the making.
Highclere Castle is home to Lord and Lady Carnarvon and is open to visitors on selected dates throughout the year including special events and tours. Visitors can see the lower floor state rooms which include the hallway, dining room, drawing room, and library (all of which are used in the TV series).
STAY: For the ultimate Downton Abbey experience, the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire offers an exclusive and private tour of Highclere Castle by the eighth Countess of Carnarvon.
EAT: The Carnarvon Arms is a pub on the border of the Highclere Estate serving up delicious seasonal dishes that the Granthams would surely approve of.
Find out more about Downton Abbey in Hampshire
Winchester Cathedral: The Crown
If there was an Oscar category for a film location, Winchester Cathedral would surely be nominated for its adaptability in doubling as many iconic sites for the silver screen.
For the Netflix hit series The Crown, the Cathedral was staged as St. Paul’s Cathedral for Winston Churchill’s funeral and Charles and Diana’s wedding, and as Westminster Abbey for Lord Mountbatten’s funeral and later for the funeral of Diana. Nearby Winchester College was also used in the series to depict Prince William’s time at Eton.
Winchester Cathedral has also been used to portray the Vatican in the 2006 movie The Da Vinci Code and as St. Paul's Cathedral in Elizabeth: The Golden Age in 2007.
STAY: Two Bare Feet is a gorgeous self-catering option in the centre of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from Winchester Cathedral.
EAT: The Wykeham Arms is between the Cathedral and Winchester College with heaps of history in its own right; don’t miss the signature Wykeham Arms lamb pie.
Find out more about Winchester Cathedral
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Jane Austen’s House
Jane Austen, England’s esteemed novelist, is synonymous with film and television with many adaptations on the screen not only of her famous novels (including Netflix’s Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly, and Emma starring Anya Taylor-Joy), but also of her own life (including Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and the upcoming historical television series Miss Austen starring Keeley Hawes).
Most of Jane’s life was spent in Hampshire: the place where she was born, lived, and died and from where many of her novels were inspired and written. Hampshire is a must-visit for fans of Jane Austen, particularly Jane Austen’s House in the beautiful village of Chawton near Alton.
STAY: The quintessentially English Lainston House is half an hour away from Jane Austen’s House and staying at this charming 17th-century country house hotel surrounded by acres of Hampshire countryside feels suitably Austenesque.
EAT: Opposite Jane Austen’s House and named after Jane’s sister, Cassandra’s Cup is a traditional English tearoom offering cakes, snacks, and cream teas.
Find out more about Jane Austen in Hampshire
The Watercress Line: Harry Potter
Potterheads will love visiting the Watercress Line heritage railway where the steam trains are reminiscent of the Hogwarts Express.
The King’s Cross footbridge – where Harry Potter received his Hogwarts Express ticket – is now located at Ropley Station on the Watercress Line, having been relocated from London's King's Cross station in 2013.
Visitors can follow in Harry’s footsteps and walk over the footbridge to view the steam locomotives below. For the full Potter experience, the Watercress Line holds its popular Wizard Week every October half term.
STAY: The self-catering Watercress Lodges are so close to Ropley Station that you’ll be able to hear the trains’ whistles while you’re having your morning cuppa. The site also has safari tents, bell tents, and camping.
EAT: Hop on a train and travel 10 minutes to the pretty Georgian town of Alresford where top places to eat include the Caracoli coffee shop and Pulpo Negro tapas restaurant.
Find out more about the Watercress Line
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: Les Misérables
Walking around the majestic ships at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard feels like being on a movie set and Dock No.9 might feel particularly familiar to fans of the 2012 blockbuster film Les Misérables. The opening scene from the movie was shot here with prisoners including Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) pulling on the ropes whilst singing to ‘Look Down’ under the watchful eye of Javert (Russell Crowe).
STAY: The Mercer Collection is a group of boutique hotels in Portsmouth including the Florence Gardens Boutique Hotel and the Somerset House Boutique Hotel in Southsea.
EAT: Gunwharf Quays has a range of waterfront restaurants. Head to the top of the Spinnaker Tower and drink in the panoramic views with a cocktail in the Sky Bar.
Find out more about Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Alice Holt Forest and Bourne Wood: Gladiator
The much-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s epic movie Gladiator will be released later this year but did you know that scenes from the original movie were filmed in Hampshire?
Russell Crowe explored the depths of Alice Holt Forest for the movie, and the opening bloody battle scene was filmed at nearby Bourne Wood.
At Alice Holt, you can swing from the trees like a stunt star at Go Ape and Bourne Wood has been the scene for many Hollywood films and TV series since, including Napoleon, Harry Potter, Robin Hood, War Horse, and Netflix production The Witcher.
STAY: A stay at the Little Place in the Country in nearby Medstead feels like being on a movie set with stylish accommodation in a wagon, wigwam, or horse hut (complete with a hot tub in a converted Lotus sports car) to choose from.
EAT: Nearby nosh is an independent café serving up a tasty menu including wood-fired pizzas on Friday evenings and Saturday lunch times.
Find out more about Alice Holt Forest
River Hamble: Howards’ Way
Take a trip down memory lane with a trip to Hamble, the location for the late 1980s BBC TV series Howards’ Way.
The popular series followed the lives of the Howards family and their yachting adventures in the fictional town of Tarrant on the south coast of England and was filmed on the River Hamble and the Solent.
Relive the nostalgic TV series by sailing on the river or hopping on the little pink ferry to cross the river.
STAY: Stay right on the water in one of the marine lodges at the Mercury Yacht Harbour and Holiday Park for a full riverside experience.
EAT: The Jolly Sailor appeared regularly on the BBC series and is a great spot for a bite to eat with gorgeous riverside views.
Find out more about film and TV in Hampshire
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Related
Highclere Castle, the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle also hosts a unique display of Egyptian antiquities and is the location of the hugely popular ITV series, Downton Abbey.
Nestled in the heart of Hampshire, one of Southern England's most historic buildings, Winchester Cathedral boasts centuries of English heritage, magnificent architecture, priceless treasures and works of art.
Jane Austen’s House in the picturesque Hampshire village of Chawton is one of the most important literary sites in the world. It was in this inspiring cottage that Jane Austen’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised, and had published all six of her globally beloved novels.
Experience the golden age of steam on the Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'! Whether you are taking a trip down memory lane or making new ones, sit back, relax and travel through the heart of quintessential English countryside by steam train, looking towards stunning views of the South Downs National Park.
Hamble is a picturesque destination which is ideal for anyone wanting to discover some of Hampshire's best coastline and countryside. With superb riverside views, Hamble village and its quaint cobbled streets offer an alternative shopping and dining experience.
