Downton Abbey on location: series 5

On location in Oxfordshire for ITV's global hit drama Downton Abbey: series 5, episode 6

With Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier)
 and Branson (Allen Leech) on set 11 August 

It was a breezy day for filming, with a sense of happiness as sunshine filtered through the leaves of the large tree in the churchyard of St Mary's in Bampton. The village on the edge of the Cotswolds has been the location for many outside scenes for the filming, affording locals and the increasing number of visitors alike, the chance to witness some behind-the-scenes action in the making of this fascinating series. 

Today, there seemed to be an open window granted for people to get close to the action. On other occasions I am told filming was blocked from view to protect the storyline. But not today, it was just a lovely, fun and exciting atmosphere to be part of the last filming for the new series.

Adding to the atmosphere was the subject of the filming which struck a chord as it centered around commemorating the First World War, just as, in tandem, centenary services had been held across the country. 

Setting for memorial service outside the church

The filming was moving, as Carson's deep tones read out a memorial service with the cast seated outside the church in the first scene, soldiers unveiled a large memorial and a bugle horn sounded a long, soulful tone. This scene took the morning to film with several re-takes and was around 30 seconds in total. The second scene shot in the afternoon depicted the Earl of Grantham (played by Hugh Bonneville) unveiling a small memorial set against a wall close to the church.

Crew monitor onscreen progress 

 Throughout the day the cast and extras milled and waited in their costumes of brown hues for another take. The attention to detail on set was phenomenal. In between takes clothes brushes were swept across uniforms, make-up re-touched and rain drops dried. No less than 130 runners, make-up technicians, caterers, camera operators and security were on site to cover every eventuality.  

Lord and Lady Crawley, Carson, Mrs Hughes
 and others take part in the second memorial scene

The props, huge cameras on gigantic arms, crew huddled around screens wearing headphones to scrutinize the outputs, the actors and extras and watching crowds witnessed a full day of filming to produce around 36 seconds of footage. It certainly is a quality production. I look forward to spotting the scenes I witnessed on this memorable day in their final cut in the new series.

Soldiers wait another take on scene 1

Lady Sybil and Matthew's tomb stones appeared
for the filming in St Mary's churchyard