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.
On a bitterly cold day on March 29th 2015 scenes were recorded for Downton Abbey. These are delightful casual shots of the actors both well known and supporting cast.
Robin Shuckburgh, chairman of the Bampton Community Archive, explains that many coaches a week are coming with tourists keen to see where the outside scenes of Downton Abbey are filmed.
Article in Witney Gazette by Miranda Norris about second movie of Downton Abbey being Good news for Bampton. All the original cast Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle and Joanne Froggatt appeared in the 2019 movie and are back for the sequel.Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West have also joined the cast,
Newspaper cutting by Miranda Norris, about the filming of Downton Abbey in Bampton and the unwanted attention that Mark MacArthur Christie has received by tourists looking into his windows and taking photographs.