Confirmed · Oxfordshire Cotswolds · Attraction

Cogges Manor Farm

Yew Tree Farm, home of the Drewe family and later Mr Mason in Downton Abbey. Ticketed heritage attraction · seasonal programme; allow 2–4 hours.

Cogges manor house behind a stone wall and gate, seen from the farm entrance yard — Photo: Des Blenkinsopp / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗

On screen as: Yew Tree Farm, home of the Drewe family and later Mr Mason
Series and episodes: Series 4–6 · A New Era
Access: Ticketed heritage attraction · seasonal programme
Time needed: 2–4 hours
Where: Witney, Oxfordshire

On screen

How Cogges Manor Farm appears

Cogges becomes Yew Tree Farm in series four to six, supplying the farmyard, historic house and kitchen associated with the Drewe family and later Mr Mason. Its domestic working spaces provide an intimate counterpoint to Highclere’s grand upstairs rooms. The strongest visit is not simply to identify one doorway: the relationship between yard, house and surrounding farm helps explain how the location establishes a separate household within Downton’s wider world. The real farm gives the fictional tenancy an existing texture rather than looking like a temporary structure built for a scene.

The real place

What you can visit

The real Cogges is a historic manor farm in Witney, with a house, gardens, animals and family activities within a heritage attraction. Its own long history remains the centre of the visitor experience. Moving between the house and farmyard gives a sense of how the spaces work together, while the wider grounds reward more time than a quick kitchen photograph. Seasonal events and the farm’s programme can affect which areas are available, so the site should be approached as a whole attraction rather than a preserved television installation.

Give the yard and house equal attention: their relationship does more to establish Yew Tree Farm than a close-up of a single familiar corner.

Experience Oxfordshire ↗

Getting there.

Check the current seasonal programme and admission arrangements before travelling. Confirm house or kitchen access if those spaces are essential, and allow time for the farm and grounds as well. Follow staff guidance around animals and historic interiors. Enquire about surfaces and suitable routes if your party needs step-free access, since a farmyard and an interior circuit can present different practical challenges.

Official visitor information ↗Open in Google Maps ↗Read the visiting guide →

Common questions

Planning a responsible visit

Does Cogges represent the main Abbey?

No. It represents Yew Tree Farm, a distinct tenancy and household in the story. Highclere supplies the principal Abbey exterior and upstairs rooms. Comparing them reveals the different scales of domestic life that the production uses.

Is it just a filming attraction?

No. Cogges is a historic farm and manor with its own interpretation, animals, gardens and activities. Plan to enjoy that broader experience; the kitchen and farmyard connection adds context without defining everything on the site.

Can I assume the house is open with the grounds?

Check the current visitor programme and any room restrictions. The grounds, farm activities and house spaces do not necessarily share identical arrangements. If the kitchen is your main interest, ask about access before making a special journey.

Plan your visit