Filming & Downton

Downton Abbey Filming set up at Cogges

Watch a time lapse film (above) of the production crew transforming the kitchen at Cogges into the set for 'Yew Tree Farm' Downton Abbey filming in 2014. 
 
Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, Oxfordshire is a beautifully preserved collection of Cotswold stone farm buildings set in its own grounds. The site has been farmed since before the Domesday Book and parts of the manor house date back to the Thirteenth Century.
 
See film locations for Downton Abbey and Arthur & George
 
Cogges is a popular location for TV and the big screen, with shows from Countryfile to ITV period dramas Downton Abbey or Arthur & George.
 
Much excitement stirred locally as cast and crew of Downton Abbey descended with trucks, props, cameras, megaphones and endless cups of tea. Cogges was transformed into Yew Tree Farm, as some volunteers, sheep and chickens achieved fame when they were picked as extras!
 
Filmed in the manor house kitchen and grounds, Yew Tree Farm is home to the Drewe family in series 4 & 5, where Lady Edith’s child is brought up. Dame Maggie Smith and characters Tom Branson, Lady Edith and Lady Mary featured in episodes. Cogges also featured in series 6.
 
Arthur & George is based on the book by Julian Barnes about the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes and features Martin Clunes, Art Malik and Charles Edwards which was first screened in March 2015.
 
This season you can see a collection of photographs of the filming and set in the manor house sitting room, and try on Downton inspired vintage outfits in the parlour.
Take a #coggesselfie and post @CoggesWitney to Facebook & Twitter.
 
You can watch a short film showing how the kitchen and grounds were transformed, including interviews with the Producer and Location Manager of the show. This can be viewed on tablets or on a screen in the manor house. The filming locations are very close together and can all be seen, including the film, in under an hour. We also run weekly historic tours of the house, every Thursday and Friday at 11.30am, including regular Downton Abbey themed tours. Please contact us for upcoming dates.
 
Cogges volunteer and Downton Fan (not necessarily in that order) Isabel has written a Blog for a 'Behind The Scenes' insight into the filming. Read on..
 
Filming at Cogges
 
If you would like to enquire about filming opportunities at Cogges please contact director@cogges.org.uk.
 
Further information about Group visits here.
 
Top photo © Oxford Mail.

Exciting to see Cogges Manor Farm in Witney as Yew Tree Farm on #Downton ! Looking beautiful @CoggesWitney @DowntonAbbey

“Oh how cool. My great grandfather knew Conan Doyle, how nice this is being filmed locally.”

“Ah, I wondered if it was Martin Clunes who said hello to me today...”

“We've really enjoyed having the crew here and watching all the comings and goings over our back fence. They were all very respectful and quiet and friendly. Our kids really enjoyed the experience. We'll miss them tomorrow when they're gone - it's livened up the place. Please try and get some more films/programmes filmed there again if you can!”

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