Duration:
8 Hours
Location:
Highclere Castle and the Cotswolds
Price:
From £545
Step into the world of Downton Abbey on this private full-day tour from Southampton, visiting Highclere Castle and several iconic Downton Abbey filming locations.
Perfect for cruise passengers, this exclusive Southampton shore excursion allows you to explore one of England’s most famous stately homes at a relaxed pace, with expert local guiding and timing carefully planned around your cruise schedule.
Highclere Castle is instantly recognisable as the real-life setting for Downton Abbey and offers a fascinating insight into aristocratic life, grand architecture, and beautifully landscaped grounds. Along the way, you’ll also visit picturesque villages and locations used throughout the series, bringing the drama and history of Downton Abbey to life.
This private tour from Southampton combines comfort, flexibility, and storytelling — ideal for fans of the series and anyone wishing to experience a quintessentially English day out.
What Places Will We Get to See?
On this private Downton Abbey tour from Southampton, you could visit:
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Bampton – the village used as Downton
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Highclere Castle – Downton Abbey itself
Paint Me a Picture
Your day begins at 9:00am, when you’ll meet your professional driver-guide directly at the Southampton Cruise Terminal. Relax in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle as you travel north into the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, where much of Downton Abbey was filmed.
Morning – Downton Village & Film Locations
Your first stop is Bampton, a charming village that doubled as Downton throughout the series. Enjoy a guided walking tour as your guide points out many of the most recognisable filming locations, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and insights into how the village was transformed for the screen.
You’ll then continue to the nearby villages of Shilton and Swinbrook, both of which were also used during filming and retain a wonderfully traditional English feel.
Afternoon – Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
After lunch, the highlight of the day awaits as you continue to Highclere Castle, the iconic setting for Downton Abbey itself.
Step inside the world of the Crawley family as you explore this magnificent stately home and its grounds. As you walk through the rooms and gardens, you’ll build a vivid picture of life here over a century ago and gain a deeper understanding of the real history behind the drama of Downton Abbey.
Return to Southampton — Or Onward to Heathrow
After a memorable and unhurried day, you’ll be driven back to your cruise ship in Southampton in plenty of time for departure.
If you are finishing your cruise, we can also arrange a drop-off at Heathrow Airport for an additional fee of £150.
You’ll be looked after by a knowledgeable professional driver-guide and travel in one of our comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, accommodating up to seven guests. This ensures a relaxed, spacious, and personal touring experience throughout the day.
As you travel, your guide will share engaging background stories and local history. At each stop, you’re free to choose how you explore — spend time with your guide, enjoy some independent wandering, relax with a coffee, or browse local shops at your own pace.
Tour Details
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Operates seven days a week, subject to availability
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Private tour for your group only
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Maximum of 7 guests per vehicle
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Flexible balance of guided touring and free time
Pricing (Per Person)
We offer tiered pricing, providing excellent value for couples, families, and small groups:
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£545 – 1 person
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£325 per person – 2 people
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£250 per person – 3 people
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£195 per person – 4 people
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£175 per person – 5 people
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£155 per person – 6 people
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£145 per person – 7 people
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
The tour departs from either the Southampton Cruise Terminal or your Southampton hotel, and you’ll be returned to Southampton in plenty of time for your cruise departure.
If you are finishing your cruise, we can also arrange a drop-off at Heathrow Airport for an additional fee of £150.
How to Book
To make a booking, please email info@southamptontours.co.uk to check availability. We will respond promptly to confirm dates and provide full booking details.
What’s Included
Everything is designed to make your day ashore smooth, comfortable, and worry-free:
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Professional local driver-guide experienced in Southampton shore excursions
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Entrance tickets to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
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Private tour for your group only
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Transportation in a modern, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
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Hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Southampton
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Sustainable travel commitment — we proudly support One Tree Planted. With every booking, one tree is planted on your behalf
What’s Not Included
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Entrance fees to attractions other than Highclere Castle
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Food and refreshments (time is built in for lunch or coffee stops of your choice)
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Gratuities (entirely at your discretion)
This full-day private tour from Southampton departs from either the Southampton Cruise Terminal or your Southampton hotel.
The start time is flexible and arranged around your cruise disembarkation schedule. Your professional driver-guide will be waiting for you outside the cruise terminal at a pre-agreed meeting time, ensuring a smooth, stress-free start to your day ashore.
How much does the tour cost?
We offer a tiered pricing structure, providing excellent value for couples, families, and small groups. All prices are per person:
-
£545 – 1 person
-
£325 per person – 2 people
-
£250 per person – 3 people
-
£195 per person – 4 people
-
£175 per person – 5 people
-
£155 per person – 6 people
-
£145 per person – 7 people
All tours are private, meaning the vehicle and guide are exclusively for your group.
How to Book
To make a booking, please email info@southamptontours.co.uk to check availability. We will respond promptly to confirm dates and provide full booking details.
Do you offer pickup from hotels?
Yes. If you’re staying at a Southampton hotel, we’re happy to collect you and return you there after the tour.
If you are finishing your cruise, we can also arrange a drop-off at Heathrow Airport for an additional fee of £150.
What day and time does the tour run?
This tour operates seven days a week, subject to availability.
The start time is flexible and will be arranged around your cruise arrival and departure schedule. If departing from the port, your guide will meet you at the Southampton Cruise Terminal at a pre-agreed time for a smooth, stress-free start.
What are the payment arrangements?
Full payment is required at the time of booking.
We accept:
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All major credit and debit cards
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PayPal
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Wire transfer
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
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Within 48 hours of the tour – 100% of the tour cost charged
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3–7 days before the tour – 50% of the tour cost charged
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8 days or more before the tour – 5% cancellation fee
Cruise Passenger Guarantee
We understand that returning to your ship on time is your top priority — and it’s ours too.
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All of our Southampton shore excursions are carefully planned around your cruise arrival and departure times
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We have never had a guest miss their ship
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Your professional local driver-guide actively manages timing throughout the day to ensure a relaxed return to port
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In the extremely unlikely event that you miss your cruise departure due to a delay on one of our tours, we will arrange and pay for your accommodation, meals, and transportation to the next port of call
This guarantee allows you to enjoy your private tour from Southampton with complete confidence, knowing your cruise schedule is always our highest priority.
