Residents of Bampton, the Oxfordshire village famed for its role as the setting for Downton Abbey, have reported a financial windfall due to the influx of tourists – although some locals lament the invasion of their privacy. Set to grace our screens in the final chapter ‘The Grand Finale’, Downton Abbey has been utilising Bampton’s picturesque streets since 2010, drawing global attention as a hotbed for fans.
The surge of visitors seeking a slice of the historical drama set in early 20th century Britain has stoked division among the villagers, with some celebrating the “small fortune” amassed from affluent enthusiasts splurging on memorabilia, aiding in the restoration of local amenities and conservation of heritage sites.
On the flip side, other inhabitants yearn for peace, bemoaning that their drives are cluttered with overly eager tourists, particularly American visitors enamoured by the period piece. Hordes of devotees arrive by coach to capture moments at filming landmarks like St Mary’s Church, posing with cameras and selfie sticks at each significant spot from the series.
For those indulging in an official guided tour of Downton Abbey-related locations including Bampton, the cost can spiral to a whopping £500 per person. As the production spans six series and three films over the past 15 years, the community’s contention concerning the touristic draw shows no signs of abating. A senior volunteer at Bampton Community Hub, which doubles as the Downton Cottage Hospital in the series, revealed that the charity’s not-for-profit shop was raking in up to £1,000 a day from visitors at one point.
The shop offers an array of Downton merchandise – from books and snow globes to hats – and even boasts a life-size cut-out of Hugh Bonneville. The volunteer shared: “It has made us a small fortune. Hundreds of thousands of pounds – we’ve had thousands and thousands and thousands of visitors.”
The influx of visitors has enabled the community to finance renovations of its buildings, including the Old Grammar School, enhancing local amenities such as a village library, an exhibition space and a community archive. “It is mostly Americans”, the volunteer noted. ”The elderly ladies running the little shop initially didn’t know what to do with all the dollars and other foreign currencies filling the till.
“It saved our library. It enabled us to restore the interior building. Upstairs we have a social hub, we do events free of charge for the villagers.” However, not all Bampton residents are thrilled about the town’s link with the franchise.
Local resident Fabrizio Manerba, 62, remarked: “My friend overheard a tour guide say that Bampton was nothing before Downton Abbey. Let me tell you – Bampton was a beautiful, expensive place to live long beforehand.”Mr Manerba painted a picture of coachloads of tourists descending on the village come rain or shine. He expressed his frustration, saying: “I live on the main square and they often stand in my driveway. They just go everywhere!”
Di O’Brien, 73, painted a picture of constant tourist traffic, with around 10 buses arriving daily at the height of the town’s popularity, as visitors lingered for photo opportunities. Meanwhile, Pankaj Grover, 40, owner of the local Post Office, downplayed the controversy surrounding the village politics and the Downton tourism boom. “If someone comes in and asks me about Downton, I send them to the Community Hub. I’m not a competitor.”
Reflecting on his recent move to the town, Mr Grover expressed his surprise at the community spirit he found. “We are all one community,” he stated, adding: “They work for each other here. As the world gets more selfish, it’s so surprising to find a village like this.”
However, Lynn Shuker, an employee at Arthur’s Attic antiques, argued that while the Community Hub was raking in “lots of money”, the influx of tourists didn’t benefit other shops. “They contribute to the library, but apart from that they don’t have enough time. We are better off with individual travellers, with families in cars – not the buses. There’s so much more to Bampton than Downton Abbey”, she added.
Other villagers chose to stay out of the debate, finding amusement in the fuss being made over their quaint hamlet. Amy Joyce, 33, and Lesley Pearce, 66, who haven’t seen the show, remarked: “It’s like us going down to London I suppose… But in London you could go and see Tower Bridge.”
Bampton-born Tanya Newland, 54, has embraced the glitz of the large production sets. Recalling her experience as an extra, Ms Newland shared: “I was a villager. I had my hair done in ringlets and had makeup put on.” She expressed her admiration for the series’ sophistication, lamenting what she perceives as its absence in contemporary culture, and stated: “It was a lovely experience.”
Visitor Kay Frith, 65, from York, who is passionate about Downton Abbey, explored the filming locations while visiting a friend in the area. She revealed her adoration for Lady Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, remarking: “She’s feisty but also a bit cool and cold. She builds a wall around herself to protect herself,” and added: “It’s a little bit of escapism, going back to a slower pace of life.”