Downton Abbey Filming Locations at Alnwick Castle
Downton Abbey is one of Britain’s most loved period dramas, following the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff through a time of great social change in the early 20th century. Renowned for its compelling characters, exquisite costumes and spectacular historic locations, the series has captivated audiences around the world
Discover how Alnwick Castle was transformed for Downton Abbey, explore the scenes filmed here and learn more about the Castle’s wider screen history.
Where was Downton Abbey filmed?
Fans of Downton Abbey may recognise Alnwick Castle as one of the historic locations featured in the hit period drama. With its grand medieval architecture, magnificent State Rooms and dramatic Northumberland setting, Alnwick Castle provided the perfect backdrop for scenes from the series and film adaptations.
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The Library
Alnwick Castle was used as the filming location for the fictional Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey. The Castle’s Library featured in several scenes during the episode when the Crawley family are invited to a shooting party hosted by Lord Sinderby, Lady Rose’s father-in-law, after he rents Brancaster Castle.
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Hulne Park
Hulne Priory and Hulne Park, located in Alnwick, were also used as filming locations for the same Downton Abbey episode. The historic ruins of Hulne Priory and the beautiful landscapes of Hulne Park provided the perfect backdrop for the shooting party scenes.
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The State Rooms
In July 2015, Alnwick Castle once again became a Downton Abbey filming location, with scenes filmed in the State Rooms, ramparts, Bow Alley and nearby St Michael’s Church Hall. These scenes featured in the series finale, where Brancaster Castle is now the home of Bertie Pelham, Lord Hexham. The Crawleys visit Edith and Bertie, leading to a pivotal moment in their story.
Behind the Scenes
Filming for Downton Abbey took place at Alnwick Castle in 2014 and 2015, with the castle becoming the setting for the fictional Brancaster Castle storyline. Its State Rooms, ramparts, grounds and surrounding landscape provided the perfect backdrop for the Crawley family’s story.
The first scenes filmed at Alnwick Castle appeared in the 2014 Christmas special, A Moorland Holiday, where the Crawley's visit Brancaster Castle for a shooting party hosted by Lord Sinderby. Alnwick Castle’s State Rooms, together with nearby Hulne Priory and Hulne Park, helped bring this memorable storyline to life.
Filming returned in 2015, with scenes from the castle’s interiors, ramparts and grounds featuring in the final-ever episode of Downton Abbey, broadcast in the UK on Christmas Day that year.
Bring the Big Screen to Life
Hugh Bonneville, who starred as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, named Alnwick Castle as his favourite iconic British film location, describing it as a stunning setting featured in major productions including Harry Potter, Robin Hood and Downton Abbey.
Visitors can experience Alnwick Castle’s famous on-screen heritage for themselves by exploring the State Rooms where scenes from Downton Abbey were filmed and joining a guided film location tour. Led by expert guides, these tours uncover behind-the-scenes stories from the Castle’s many productions, bringing its role in films to life.