Ardent fans have been thrilled by rumours of a new TV series and a movie but for the village that doubles as the fictional Downton its fame has proved a mixed blessing.
It’s been reported a new “secret” seventh series of Downton Abbey has begun filming.
And fans may not have long to wait to see the lives of the aristocratic Yorkshire Crawley family on movie screens once more as a new film is also rumoured to be in the pipeline.
It’s thought producers are hoping to bring back some huge names for the return of the show, including Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggatt, according to the Daily Mail.
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Although the casting is yet to be confirmed, the four stars appeared in the previous six seasons and two film spin-offs and bosses are said to be “thrilled” with the choices.
The seventh series is expected to air at the end of this year on ITV, the Daily Mail reports.
And last week Imelda Staunton, who plays one of Queen Mary's ladies-in-waiting Lady Maud Bagshaw, let it slip on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 show that there will be a third Downton Abbey film.
Bampton in West Oxfordshire , which doubled as Downton for the TV show, was besieged with fans after it debuted in 2010 and became something of a cultural phenomenon.
Although the issues are now less, one resident told the Oxford Mail last year that fans stuck selfie sticks up to his bedroom windows and he felt like he was 'living in a zoo'.
The owner of the manor house where Mrs Crawley lived described it as a "very mixed blessing".
However, the show brought substantial tourism to the village with a dedicated local group of volunteers manning the shop, guiding visitors and managing the traffic.
The upper room of the Old Grammar School, founded during the rule of Oliver Cromwell was beautifully restored for the first time since 1960.
It is now in near constant use hosting talks and workshops, creative writing courses and craft therapies.
It was paid for with a £70,000 fundraising drive, encouraged by the actor Hugh Bonneville who made a video about it.
And some local fans welcomed it.
A 37-year-old mum said: "The businesses here, the new coffee shop and restaurant, will need more than just local trade to keep them alive."
Although another added: "Some of them ask where the big house is and are disappointed when they are told it is Highclere Castle which is miles away from here."
Establishing relations with all the coach companies also helped with traffic issues after they were told to park coaches on the Rec rather than blocking up the streets.
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Cogges Manor Farm in Witney also benefited from the ITV series and runs tours and exhibitions.
It was turned into Yew Tree Farm, the home of the Drewe family where Lady Edith’s child is brought up, and later home to Mr Mason.
In the second Downton movie, A New Era, Daisy and Mrs Patmore chatted over a stove in the kitchen of the manor house which doubled as the fictional country estate.
Carnival Films were contacted about the TV series and movie but declined to comment.
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