PBS viewers are on countdown, with the last instalment of the Crawley family chronicles about to hit theaters. I was among members of the travel media attending a gala pre-release screening of Downton Abbey: the Grand Finale at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival September 9, thanks to Visit Britain.

They say 87% of travelers to Britain- the global capital of location filming - are interested in walking in the footsteps of their favorite on-screen characters, and for viewers of PBS, Downton Abbey must rank first among them all.

Who can resist re-living the world of one of our favorite fictional families? Going into The Grand Finale, I was expecting - and got a full dose of! - elegant and extravagant period sets and sweeping vistas of iconically English scenes, glamorous art deco costumes, arch dialogue and the wrapping up of plot lines we Downton fans have been following now for over a decade.

What I did not expect was how it felt like catching up with dear old friends over tea (or champagne!) Not just with the characters in the film, but the audience, too. It was like a room full of alumni. We all laughed at every reference to an inside joke or old story (Spoiler alert: Lady Mary sleeps with a house guest and is regretting it. Lady Edith, now an ally, retorts, "What, was he Turkish?") Heartwarming on screen and in the theatre.

With these “set-jetting” locations full of history, elegance and cinematic allure, you can immerse yourself in the world of the fictional Crawley family.

PLUS cruising tie-ins no cruise or Downton Abbey fan should miss!

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.

Highclere Castle

Located on the border of Hampshire and Berkshire, England, Highclere Castle (pictured, below, image credit: VisitBritain and Highclere Castle LLP) is one of Britain’s most celebrated stately homes and a major draw for Downton Abbey diehards.

Built in the 19th century in the Jacobethan style, the castle is set amid 1,000 acres of landscaped parkland designed by Capability Brown. Explore the grand state rooms, filled with art, antiques, and historical treasures, as well as the gardens and woodland walks that surround the estate. The castle also houses exhibitions dedicated to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who famously financed Howard Carter’s discovery of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, adding another layer of fascination for history lovers.

Highclere’s global fame skyrocketed with its starring role as the primary filming location for Downton Abbey.

Are you a Lady Mary? A Carson? Do you fancy yourself an acid-tongued Dowager Countess? You can channel your inner Downton character walking through the instantly recognizable rooms, including the library, dining room, and iconic staircase, which served as backdrops for the Crawley family’s stories.

Special tours and seasonal events often highlight the connection to the show, making the experience particularly memorable for visitors who wish to immerse themselves in the world of Downton Abbey.

CRUISE CONNECTION:

Highclere Castle is pretty landlocked, but because of Viking’s sponsorship of Downton Abbey on PBS in the U.S., the cruise line has a special connection with Highclere and the present Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Special sailings of Viking cruises in Britain include a pre- or post-cruise extension to Highclere Castle.

Yorkshire

The fictional Crawleys were leaders of the county in the northern realms of Yorkshire, where several locations bring the many seasons of the TV series and all three films to life. A tour here blends aristocratic grandeur with village charm and the British railway heritage that characterized Britain in the years highlighted in Downton.

Start in Ripon and Easingwold, the market towns that you’ll recognize as stand-ins for the fictional village of Downton. Their historic streets, traditional pubs, and classic shopfronts provided the everyday backdrop where servants and townsfolk mingled, giving viewers a glimpse of Edwardian village life. Strolling through these towns, you can almost imagine Lady Sybil slipping into the village hospital or Carson striding to the post office.

Next, head to Harewood House (image: VisitBritain/ Thomas Heaton), just outside Leeds. This magnificent 18th-century estate was the setting for Downton Abbey: The Movie’s royal visit scenes. Visitors can tour Robert Adam’s lavish interiors, admire the art collections, and wander the Capability Brown-designed gardens. The house itself feels like a living extension of the Crawley family’s world.

Finally, take a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering Station, whose 1930s ambience perfectly suited the show’s railway departures and arrivals, letting travelers relive those dramatic railway goodbyes and reunions in authentic style.

CRUISE CONNECTION:

I’ve been on U.K. and Scotland cruises that call in the port of Newcastle-on-Tyne, which is only about an hour by rail or rental car to destinations in Yorkshire, so you can get your fix of the Crawley family life in the county.

ONE-TIME BONUS CRUISE CONNECTION:

“Lord Grantham” Actor Hugh Bonneville Featured as Insight Speaker on Cunard Cruise in the Caribbean

Downton stalwart Hugh Bonneville (photo courtesy of Cunard) is Insight Speaker on board the 2,000-guest Queen Elizabeth as part of her Eastern Caribbean voyage, departing from Miami on November 27.

Famed for his roles as Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey and also recently the beloved Mr. Brown in the Paddington franchise, the Emmy-nominated actor will offer cruise guests on the Queen Elizabeth an exclusive glimpse behind the curtain.

From the grandeur of Highclere Castle to the marmalade mishaps of Windsor Gardens, Bonneville shares anecdotes, reflections and more during an intimate onboard Q&A for Cunard guests.

START YOUR TRIP!

All images not otherwise credited: Lynn Elmhirst / World’s Greatest Cruises