The last days of Downton: cast and crew share snaps as the Abbey closes its doors for good

The stars bid a final fond farewell to the locations, people and characters that have meant so much to them...

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Tuesday, 28th July 2015 at 12:05 pm

The end is nigh for hit ITV period drama Downton Abbey. Mere months after it was announced that the sixth season would be its last, the action is winding down on set for the final time.

The last ever episode (I still feel sad typing those words…) won’t air until Christmas Day, but filming is nearing the end and the show’s cast and crew have been taking to social media to share a few snaps of their #LastDaysofDownton…

#LastDaysOfDownton

A post shared by Chris Croucher (@chriscreaturefeature) on Jul 27, 2015 at 10:42am PDT

The cameras are rolling on our beloved characters’ final scenes, while the prop and costume department are finalising their last outfits.

Can't believe just completed final dress design for #DowntonAbbey feeling emotional #BehindTheScenes #DontWantItToEnd x

A post shared by A N N A M A R Y S C O T T (@annamaryscott) on Jul 24, 2015 at 7:51am PDT

It’s not entirely over. Filming hasn’t quite wrapped everywhere…

Winter is coming… #LastDaysOfDownton #beamish

A post shared by Michelle Dockery (@theladydockers) on Jul 18, 2015 at 2:23am PDT

But it has at Highclere Castle, the impressive country manor house which has hosted the Crawley family since 2011.

Last cast and crew photo #finalcountdown #lastdaysofdownton #downton

A post shared by Michelle Dockery (@theladydockers) on Jul 8, 2015 at 6:32am PDT

Goodbye Highclere castle. Now I look at you from the outside , forever more pic.twitter.com/4GDVcOm1ym

— Elizabeth McGovern (@ElizabethMcGov) July 9, 2015

Going to miss this place, thanks for having us. #lastdayathighclere #DowntonAbbey pic.twitter.com/cSPvyW3QPM

— Michael Fox (@Michael_C_Fox) July 11, 2015

Oh how we laughed!

A post shared by Kevin Doyle (@kdoyle999) on Jul 25, 2015 at 12:54pm PDT

And in Northumberland, home to Alnwick, aka Brancaster Castle, where the gang spent some of last year’s festive instalment.

Thank you Northumberland #Dreamy #LastDaysOfDownton

A post shared by Chris Croucher (@chriscreaturefeature) on Jul 18, 2015 at 2:10am PDT

And in Bampton, the Oxfordshire village which doubles for Downton village.

#Repost @chriscreaturefeature #Downton #Downtonabbey ・・・ Thank You Bampton – you've been brilliant #LastDaysOfDownton

A post shared by Downton Abbey (@downtonabbey_official) on Jul 24, 2015 at 6:44am PDT

The cast and crew even threw a party there over the weekend to thank the villagers for their help.

via the Bampton Beam

It’s enough to have the show’s dedicated fans reaching for the tissues.

I’m sure we could all be cheered up with an invite to a Downton Abbey bash (apparently Laura Carmichael, aka Lady Edith, was helping to man the bar in Bampton) but unfortunately most of us will have to make do with waiting patiently for the show’s final episodes to air…

Downton Abbey will be back on ITV this autumn