Friday 3 January 2014

New Year Quiz - name this small town

wikipedia
This place has a real name and a fictional TV name.
Fictionally it is situated in the north of England.
In reality it is here, in the Cotswolds.
It is the fictional name that you will know and what I want.

I am sure that many of you with sharp eyes will recognise this house - the home to two of the fictional characters.

Both the exterior and the interior of the church have had starring roles in the fiction. However, the church is a star in its own right. It was in existence before the Norman Conquest. The earliest part of the church dates from the middle of the 11th century; in the chancel there is some very early herring-bone Cotswold stonework.
A photograph of the original deed given by William the Conqueror.
Beautiful crisp Norman zig-zag stonework around the south transept door.
When watching the programme you may have noticed lots of very high Cotswold stone walls in this small town
Comment moderation has been set to give everyone a chance. If you get it right I will withhold your answer until I reveal the name on Monday at noon Grenwich Meantime.

49 comments:

  1. Intriguing. Sadly I am useless at guessing and watch little television. But these are beautiful photographs and I want to visit! x

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    1. I will let you know where it is on Monday - it is not too far from you.

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  2. Happy New Year, Rosemary!! Is it Downton? Fingers crossed :)
    Warm greetings for a happy and healthy 2014~
    Cheers,
    Loi

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  3. Hello Rosemary, I have no idea where this is, just that I want to live there! I'll be looking forward to the answer.
    --Jim

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    1. Hello Jim - I am sure you will know its fictional name. It is a lovely little town being very conveniently placed for Oxford.

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  4. Hi Rosemary, I may make a fool out of me, but my guess is that the locations were used in the TV show Downtown Abbey. I have no idea about how the fictional town is called, let alone the real town name in the Cotswolds, but I would love to know. In any case I enjoyed seeing your photos very much. The church is just plain gorgeous and with such a rich history behind it. That is why I love England so much! Warm regards,
    Christina

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    1. ✔ Christina you will know now that the town is called Bampton - well done.

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  5. Rosemary, I'm going to guess that this is Downton. It looks a very pretty place with that lovely Cotswold stone. I'm particularly fascinated by the church and the copy of the deed given by William the Conqueror.

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    1. ✔ well done - the church is indeed lovely Wendy.

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  6. I have no idea Rosemary, but it is a verry beautiful place.
    So I'am looking out too the right answer.
    Have a nice weekend.

    Greetings,
    Inge, my choice

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  7. Small and beautiful architecture. Happy New Year.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  8. "BAMPTON".. The series Downton Abbey. Hope I have it right.
    There is another series , much older, where a church is used as a hospital..but been racking my brains.
    good luck to everyone.
    love these quizes Rosemary.

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    1. ✔ well done Val - you know lots about the location etc. It was the library that was used as the hospital, but it looks rather like a church.

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  9. I'm pretty sure it is Downton Abbey. It is very popular on this side of the pond. Hugh Bonneville is over here at the moment promoting the show. Series 4 is just about to start for us. I love watching the gifted actors like Maggie Smith and Jim Carter but I am exasperated by some of the story lines.

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    1. ✔ some of the story lines are over the top.

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  10. No idea either, but I don't watch much TV. However the village is as charming as only a Cotswold village can be. The library and church are so beautiful. Look forward to the answer!

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    1. I think that you will probably recognise the name when I give it Patricia.

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  11. I think it might be Downton ?
    I think Downton is supposed to be a small town, perhaps Masham, in North Yorkshire, but I know it's filmed in the Cotswolds.

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  12. Lovely photos - Don't watch much t.v. either and it may not have been on down here. Don't recognise it.

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    1. I don't know whether it has been on the screens in NZ either Susan, but so many of our BBC programmes to seem to find themselves all around the world.

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  13. Dear Rosemary,

    I wish I could play along with the others, but I don't own a TV! I spend my free time mostly painting and reading, and can honestly say that I hardly ever miss the tube.

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    1. Dear Mark - what you don't have you don't miss.
      We did not have a TV whilst our sons were growing up and going through their education. We are not avid watchers especially H - but he enjoys seeing the news and political programmes.

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  14. You are spot on with location but the Cotswold side of Oxford.

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  15. Don't have a clue. We have my husbands Auntie staying with us for the week, she named many TV programmes, I looked as to where they were filmed but didn't come across anything relating to your question. Maybe we haven't had that TV program down here yet!

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    1. I know that it is screened in Australia - perhaps you do not receive the same programmes as them?

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    2. That maybe true, Rosemary....sometimes the mainland of Australia or and other States of Australia don't always have the same program

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    3. I would be interested to know whether you do get Downton Abbey in Tasmania.

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  16. Dear Rosemary, This is too difficult. Have no idea but I love seeing these wonderful photographs of a very pretty house and adjacent buildings.
    Happy New Year. Gina

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    1. I suspect that you may recognise the fictional name of this town, even if you haven't seen it Gina.

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  17. Oh....I wish I new Rosemary. Somehow it looks familiar, but nothing pops into my head. Waiting for the answer on Monday :-)!

    Have a good Sunday!

    Madelief x

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    1. I wonder if you have seen it Madelief? - I suspect you will know the name.

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  18. Dear Rosemary,I have no idea where this is, but it is a very beautiful place to visit!!
    I'll be looking forward to the answer!Have a wonderful weekend!
    Dimi...

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    1. Dear Dimi - the programme has been seen in over 100 countries apparently so it probably is shown in Greece.

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  19. Hello Rosemary, the fictional name of the town is in the County of Yorkshire, from the hit British TV show, Downton Abbey. The real name of the town is Bampton in Oxfordshire. Lucky you to live so close to this town. St. Mary's Church is beautiful both inside and outside. Love, love watching Downton Abbey. Most of the fans of the show here in North America are excited because tomorrow, Sunday, will be the premiere of Season 4. I'm looking forward to see what will happen next especially to Lady Mary... Please don't tell.

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    1. ✔ I can tell that you are a real fan Pamela from your answer - but the secrets are safe with me.

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  20. Rosemary, I'm going to guess it's the fictional town of Downton in the tv series Downton Abbey. I do not know the real name of the village. The house pictured resembles that of Mrs. Crawley, mother of Matthew. And her maid Ethel lives there, so that constitutes "two characters," right?. I'm probably way off base here, but that's my guess!

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    1. ✔ I was initially thinking of when Matthew lived at the house with his mother, but you are right Ethel did move in with her. Either way you are right - well done.

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  21. I have no idea where this church is but as a lover of architecture and stonework I'm so proud of my Norman heritage when I look at your beautiful pictures !

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    1. I love Norman arches, especially, when like here, it displays wonderful zigzag and chevron designs.

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  22. I have been in the Cotswolds twice but almost never watch television. So I looked in my photo album, and may be it is in Burford, but I am not sure. Beautiful pictures!

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    1. Not Burford, but I do actually know Burford very well. Answer tomorrow - thanks for trying Janneke.

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  23. beautiful pictures! nice blog...

    greetings from Holland,

    Debby

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    1. Thanks for your visit and kind comment Debby.

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