Stately Stars - A closer look at two grade listed TV & film locations

By Joanne Townsend Administration Assistant

Large stone manor with multiple towers and a central flag, surrounded by a green lawn and scattered visitors.

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The UK’s rich history, striking landscapes, and timeless architectural beauty have made it the perfect backdrop for many TV shows and films. With the release of the final Downton Abbey film, and fourth series of the Traitors released in Autumn 2025, we thought it would be a great time to look at the amazing historic properties used in filming these iconic programmes.

Highclere Castle and Ardross Castle both have their own stories to tell beyond their cinematic roles and have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.

The Downton Abbey House - Highclere Castle

One of the most recognizable estates in the world, Highclere Castle, is the stunning Grade I listed country house that serves as the setting for the beloved TV drama Downton Abbey.
This majestic property, located in Hampshire England, was designed by Sir Charles Barry, the same architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament in London. Completed in 1842, it was originally built to replace a smaller family home on the site. Highclere Castle has been home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon for over 300 years and the current owner, George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon, continues to live at the property today.

Large Victorian-era castle with ornate towers and a central flag, set on a lawn under a clear blue sky.

The beautiful gardens surrounding the castle were designed by the renowned landscape architect Capability Brown, adding further prestige to the estate.

The use of Highclere Castle as the setting for Downton Abbey has firmly embedded it into popular culture. From the elegant rooms to the grand staircase where Lady Mary makes her memorable entrances, the castle has become associated with the drama that follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff through the turbulent years of the early 20th century.

Downton Abbey the series ran from 2010 to 2015 and earned critical acclaim, becoming a global phenomenon with millions of viewers tuning in from around the world. The show’s portrayal of British high society, coupled with its historical accuracy and beautiful cinematography, helped elevate the importance of Highclere Castle making it a popular tourist destination for fans.

Following the TV series’ success, Highclere Castle was also featured in the 2019 and 2022 Downton Abbey films, which continued the story of the Crawley family. The castle, once again, became the backdrop for high-society intrigue, political drama, and family dynamics, further cementing its place in cinematic history. The new film scheduled to be released at the cinemas on 12th September this year is set to conclude the beloved franchise.

The house, Egyptian exhibition and gardens are open to the public for self-guided tours during the summer months and at some other times during the rest of the year such as Christmas and Easter.

You can find out more about when you can visit Highclere Castle here: Highclere Castle : Homepage

A large, historic stone castle with multiple towers surrounded by trees and open green fields.

Ardross Castle – The stage for the deception of the Traitors Show

The property featured in the British reality competition show The Traitors presents a different kind of grandeur. The house used in the show is Ardross Castle which is a magnificent 19th century category A listed castle, located in the stunning Scottish Highlands it is set within beautiful gardens and over 100 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Alness providing a spectacular location for any TV or film production.

Originally a hunting lodge built by the 1st Duke of Sutherland in the late 1700s, the estate took on its majestic form in 1845 when it was purchased by Sir Alexander Matheson. He commissioned architect Alexander Ross to transform it into the Scottish Baronial-style castle that we know today.

Following Matheson’s tenure, the estate passed to his son Sir Kenneth Matheson, and later in 1898 to Charles William Dyson Perrins who was the son of James Dyson Perrins, the owner of the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce factory. Charles William Dyson Perrins modernized the building by installing electricity and enhancing the gardens with formal landscapes by Edward White. The property was fragmented in 1937 until it was purchased in 1983 by the McTaggart family, who have since overseen extensive restoration of both the castle and its grounds, including reviving the formal and walled gardens.

Today, Ardross Castle remains a private estate and is not open for public visits. Instead, it’s available for exclusive hire hosting weddings, corporate events, and television/film shootings.

Since the first season aired in 2022, Ardross Castle has been the iconic setting for the BBC reality series The Traitors. It is used in both the UK and US versions of the show. The castle’s dramatic interiors including its expansive breakfast room, round-table discussion hall, and highly atmospheric dining and lounge spaces, provide the perfect stage for the show’s suspenseful, psychological competition.

The castle’s allure continues in October with The Celebrity Traitors; With the same dramatic setting, the celebrities will compete to donate winnings to charity alongside Claudia Winkleman returning as the host.

You can find out more about Ardross Castle here: Home – Ardross Castle

The real stars of the show

Highclere Castle and Ardross Castle are the stars of these shows and are two examples of how historic properties are not just preserved for their architectural beauty but also continue to play an active role in the cultural landscape through their use in television and film. Whether it’s the stately grandeur of Highclere Castle in Downton Abbey or the atmospheric intrigue of Ardross Castle in The Traitors, these buildings contribute layers of history and meaning that elevate the stories unfolding within their walls.
As audiences continue to be captivated by the magic of these iconic locations, the magic of Britain’s historic homes will undoubtedly continue to influence the world of film and television for years to come.
These historic locations need specialist protection and part of that is suitable insurance. At Abode we care about protecting all aspects of your listed property. You can find out more about what Abode can offer here.