Bampton brings together the story of Downton Abbey, Morris dancing, art and a history stretching far back. For a cultural getaway, the town offers several different points of interest, from its role as a filming location to castle remains, exhibitions and a walking route that begins in Bampton.
Downton Abbey and Morris Tradition
All the village scenes in Downton Abbey were filmed in Bampton, Oxfordshire. In every series, the town stood in for the Yorkshire village of Downton. For fans of the series, this provides a clear link to the production: Bampton itself played the fictional village in the north of England.
Morris dancing has also been part of Bampton’s Whitsun celebrations for centuries. These celebrations now take place on the Spring Bank Holiday. Every Whit Monday, Morris dancers gather in the town from sunrise to sunset. If you’d like to plan your trip around the dancing, check the specific event dates and arrangements in advance; annual arrangements may vary.
Traces of the Town’s History
At Ham Court, a gatehouse and part of the curtain wall remain from a castle built in the early 14th century for Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. In 1315, he received permission to crenellate the castle. Bampton’s history reaches further back still: St Mary the Virgin stands on the site of a late Anglo-Saxon minster dating from 950 or earlier. This makes it possible to distinguish the Anglo-Saxon connection from the medieval castle as separate layers of history.
The grounds at Ham Court extend beyond the castle remains: several acres of gardens, an orchard and pastureland surround the last surviving fragment of the medieval castle’s gatehouse in Bampton. The grounds are partly surrounded by a moat and also include a walled kitchen garden. The gatehouse and curtain wall point to the castle, while the moat and gardens add to the layout of the grounds.
Art, Archives and Town Trails
The Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre serves as the local tourist information centre and displays authentic local artefacts from an extensive collection. The centre offers guided Town Trails throughout the year. Additional dates for visitor groups and organisations may be available by arrangement. This means there are both regular guided tours and the option to enquire about a group visit.
Families can pick up an eight-page booklet at the centre. It enables them to complete the Town Trail independently and take a quiz. Those who prefer a guided visit can join the centre’s Town Trails; those who would rather explore on their own can use the booklet. The main difference between the two options is whether the trail is guided or self-guided.
The West Ox Arts Gallery holds around twelve exhibitions a year, and admission to all exhibitions is free. If you’re planning your trip around a particular exhibition, check the current dates in advance. Exhibitions are also held in the Robert Vesey Room at the Bampton Community Archive, which also has a unique shop. The building is also home to Bampton Library. Restoration reopened an upstairs room that had been inaccessible since 1961.
A Walking Route and Other Activities
A walking route starts in Bampton, a pretty old market town, and heads south through the Oxfordshire countryside along easy, level footpaths. It offers a way to add a walk to your stay; no walking time is given for the route. As route details may change, check the current route before setting off.
There’s also a local option for tennis and padel: Bampton Recreation Ground has tennis courts and a padel court. The courts are open to everyone and can be booked. If you’re planning these activities, check availability for your preferred time.
Discover more destinations: Chesterton, Church Handborough, Coleshill, Steventon, Bletchingdon, Sparsholt, Hook Norton, Milcombe.
For the broader travel guide: Oxfordshire.
