2012 was very much the early days of Downton Abbey having an effect in Bampton. The prediction of coachloads of American tourists coming was absolutely correct. By 2018 approximately 30,000 visitors went into the Vesey room housed in the building used as the Cottage Hospital in the drama to see the exhibition and memorabilia on sale. The Archive committee to the decision to have quality products only for sale because it is not an exhibition that attracts young children, space is very limited and the people who were coming clearly wanted quality memorabilia.
The makers of Downton Abbey invited local people to take part as extras. Doreen and Douglas Clare were delighted to be chosen each each from 2011 through 2015.
By 2019 all series of Downton Abbey had been filmed including the film of the series for showing in cinemas. Bampton Community Archive put on an exhibition of the filming in Bampton over the years in the Vesey Room. This room is withing the Old Grammar School and the doorway into this building off Church Close was used as the entrance for the Cottage Hospital in the series.
The photographs were all taken by Bob West who carried the cake for the Morris for very many years. They are all of the May Bank Holiday 1997 Morris Dancing
These photographs, all taken by Bob West at the Spring Bank Holiday day of Morris Dancing 2000. All but the last two are Tony Daniels' morris side, (now at 2020 under Craig Godwin). The next to last picture is of Sherbourne Morris and the last picture is Eynsham Morris, both guests of the local side.
These pictures all taken by Bob West, were taken in 2004. Many are taken in the garden of the Horse Shoe. Some of the people in the pictures include Bob West Ted Poole Billy Main Mary Cook & brother Tommy Tanner Tony Daniels Dave Rose Ann & Francis Shergold Clare Hall Maurice New Jasper Walsh Reg Hall Jim Buckingham Heather David (at Tickhill) Eric Stott Ivy Poole Carole New Liz Rose Roger West
These photographs, all taken by Bob West are of the Tony Daniels' morris side in 2004. People in the pictures include Craig Godwin - who became squire after Tony Margaret Barnes Liz Rose Marian Rouse Bob West Andrew West Brian Rouse Roger West Toby Perry Martin Landray Ted Poole Ivy Poole
These photographs, all taken by Bob West record the Spring Bank Holiday Morris Dancing of Tony Daniels' side in 2005. Leyland Morris were the invited visiting dancers.
