There’s a quaint village in Oxfordshire, Bampton, which has been living under the shadow of Downton Abbey, the hit TV show filmed there. Since the show’s conclusion eight years ago, the village has become a mecca for fans, transforming the peaceful English countryside into a bustling tourist attraction.
One photograph posted online shows two women holding their phones up to the window of a villager.
Credit: TWITTER – @MARKCHRISTIE
Imagine being a local, sitting in your living room, when suddenly a selfie stick pops up at your window. This has become an all too familiar sight in Bampton. The tranquility of the village has been disrupted by tourists, who seem to forget that they are in a living, breathing village, not a TV set. One 61-year-old resident on Church View lamented, “They make me feel like I am living in a zoo”.
However, the influx of tourism isn’t without its silver linings. The Old Grammar School, a historic gem of Bampton, was beautifully restored last year, funded by a community fundraising drive. The space is now alive with activities, including talks, workshops, and creative writing courses, offering a much-needed respite from the touristy hustle and bustle.
While the constant intrusion can be tiresome, some residents have embraced their village’s newfound fame. Lu Waywell, a local actress and body piercer, expressed, “It’s incredible that what are depicted as servant quarters are now million-pound homes”. Another resident, Helene Grygar, who lives on the street most frequented by tourists, even welcomed an American visitor into her cottage, showcasing the hospitable spirit of Bampton.
Yet the question remains whether this influx of tourists is truly beneficial to the local economy. Most visitors spend only a short time in the area, concentrating around the church and the homes featured in the series. Jean Gray, a church volunteer, noted, “You’d think they would drop a couple of quid in church funds but they don’t really. They pay all their money to the tour guide and that’s it”.
The once peaceful village of Bampton is now a real-life Downton Abbey, complete with all the glitz, glamour, and a fair share of headaches. The village is navigating its new reality, balancing the benefits of its fame with the challenges of an overzealous fanbase.
want to read more? Read about where we learned this at https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/22509858/our-town-is-the-real-life-downton-abbey/