Our venue blog for ideas, inspiration and real weddings.

Our venue blog for ideas, inspiration and real weddings.

Your Very Own Downton Abbey Experience

Huntsham Court

Your very own Downton Abbey experience

With the release of the final Downton Abbey film, audiences once again find themselves swept up in the romance and drama of early 20th-century English aristocracy.

Downton Abbey has captured the hearts of millions with its portrayal of timeless elegance, grandeur, and the charm. The series’ depiction of lavish estates, grandiose events, and sophisticated fashion has inspired couples worldwide to recreate this magical atmosphere for their own special day.

At Huntsham Court, we’re often affectionately referred to as “the Downton Abbey wedding venue,” and it’s easy to see why.

Nestled in the rolling Devon countryside, our historic Grade II* listed mansion offers the quintessential English country house experience — rich in heritage, grandeur, and charm.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, celebration, or exclusive retreat, Huntsham Court is where timeless elegance meets modern hospitality.

 

A setting steeped in history

Much like Downton’s Highclere Castle, Huntsham Court offers a grand and storied backdrop rooted in the elegance of a bygone era. Built in 1868 by renowned Gothic Revival architect Benjamin Ferrey, the house was commissioned by Charles Troyte as a wedding gift for his wife, Katharine. A romantic gesture matched only by the scale of the building itself.

With its soaring ceilings, oak panelling, sweeping staircases, and tall sash windows, Huntsham Court evokes the same architectural drama and charm seen in Downton Abbey. During the Victorian and Edwardian periods, when the Troyte family were prominent local gentry, the house likely hosted the kind of refined social gatherings typical of the time – think candlelit dinners, fireside conversations, and weekends in the country.

Today, guests can experience that same atmosphere: dining beneath chandeliers, gathering in historic reception rooms, and enjoying the entire house as their own. With modern comforts discreetly woven in, Huntsham Court blends historic character with the freedom to create your own unforgettable event.

James Frost
James Frost

Live the Downton dream

Whether you’re arriving with travel-trunks in tow for a weekend-long celebration or hosting an elegant, black-tie wedding, Huntsham offers a genuine taste of the Downton Abbey lifestyle.

Picture your guests winding up the estate driveway, passing the quaint 13th Century church, stepping into the grand Great Hall with it cascading chandelier, before retiring to one of our 42 individually styled bedrooms – each with its own character, quirks and stories.

You’ll dine in rooms that echo the show’s dining scenes – prepared with your beautifully decorated banqueting tables, silverware, floral centrepieces and candelabra with flickering candlelight.

You can host your very own cocktail hour, reminiscent of Lady Mary’s soirées

Stroll through Victorian inspired gardens that could easily be mistaken for Downton’s own grounds.

And of course, you’ll have access to a dedicated team (no, not quite Mr. Carson, but close!) who can ensure that every detail is taken care of.

Luna photography

A grand destination venue

For many of our overseas guests, Huntsham Court offers that rare chance to step into the screen and live out their dream of an English country house weekend.

From American couples seeking a stately wedding experience, to guests from Australia, Canada and across Europe who want a slice of British history. Huntsham captures the very essence of what makes Downton Abbey so beloved around the world.

 

Film-ready grandeur – With a modern twist

Unlike Highclere Castle, which day-by-day operates as a museum and working estate, Huntsham Court is exclusively yours during your stay. That means total privacy, flexibility, and the freedom to make the house your home.

Host a garden party on the lawn, create a Gatsby-style evening reception, or enjoy a relaxed fireside brunch in your slippers.

It’s luxury without formality, grandeur without stiffness.

 

James Frost

Create your own Downton Abbey moment

With its historic grandeur, and laid-back elegance, Huntsham Court doesn’t just look like something out of Downton Abbey… it feels like it too.

Except here, you’re not watching from a screen – you’re living it!

Ready to plan your very own Downton-style celebration?

Be our guest and book your own one-to-one viewing…

and let us help you write your own chapter of English country house history.

Contact Us – Huntsham Court

 

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