Preview exhibition at Bonhams New Bond Street from 18 August to 16 September

London – It's been 15 years since audiences first met the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic staff. Through many loves and losses, births and deaths, scandals and seismic world events, the doors of Downton Abbey have remained open. Now after running for six seasons from 2010 to 2015 and with a third and final motion picture about to hit the screen this September, the landmark series Downton Abbey is set to bid a final goodbye. But before the doors of Downton close for good, Bonhams is to hold a farewell exhibition and auction of props, costumes, and set pieces from across the series.

The sale will run online on bonhams.com from 18 August to 16 September, alongside a special exhibition taking place at Bonhams New Bond Street, London, which will be free and open to the public.

The Downton Abbey series are produced by Carnival Films, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is produced by Carnival Films, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. With more than 120 million viewers around the world, the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Primetime Emmy Award-winning series created by Julian Fellowes is one of the most popular programmes in the history of British television.

Carnival Films will contribute their proceeds from items they have donated to Together for Short Lives, the UK's leading charity for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. The charity provides vital care and support, helping families make the most of every moment they have together, whether at home, in hospital, or in children's hospices across the country.

'The business of life is the acquisition of memories'
-Carson

Writing in Bonhams Magazine, Philippa Stockley, said: "From the opening shock of a sunk Titanic, through the First World War, with newly working women and their bitter struggle for votes; with, too, the simplification of men's clothing (in the trenches for example, wrist watches replaced pocket watches) to a post-war world of fewer servants, embryonic workers' rights, and technological advances from electricity and telephones to automobiles, aeroplanes, gramophones and sewing machines. Downton's Crawley family adopted them all...Beautifully crafted throughout, spellbound viewers were immersed in a crucial period and emotional upstairs-downstairs saga."

Charlie Thomas, Bonhams UK Group Director for House Sales and Private & Iconic Collections, commented: "Downton Abbey is an example of the very best of British television and filmmaking, and we are delighted to be offering the props and costumes from this landmark series. Downton Abbey is an exceptionally well-researched piece of storytelling on aristocratic society in the early 20th Century, and the costumes and props show the impressive attention to detail that brought the world to life on screen and making it so beloved by millions across the globe."

Gareth Neame, Executive Producer & CEO of Carnival Films commented: "The world of Downton Abbey is beloved around the globe for its rich, timeless storytelling. These iconic set items hold a special place in that history, and we are proud to see them help support the vital work of Together for Short Lives."

Highlights of the sale include:

• Michelle Dockery (as Lady Mary): Wedding 1 Prop Costume, and wedding bouquet Season 3, Episode 1. Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000.

• Jessica Brown Findlay (as Lady Sybil): Harem Pant Prop Costume Season 1, Episode 4. Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000.

• Lily James (As Lady Rose): 'Coming Out' Ball. Series 4, Episode 9 and 10. Estimate: £800 - 1,200.

• Dame Maggie Smith (as Violet Crawley): Light Pink Day Dress and Dark Grey Day Dress Season 6, Episode 1, Episode 9. Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000.

• Laura Carmichael (as Lady Edith): Peach Halterneck Dress Prop Costume. Season 4, Episode 2. Estimate: £800 - 1,200.

• Michelle Dockery (as Lady Mary): A Silver Sequin Drop-Waist Evening Dress Season 6, Episode 4. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500.

• A clapper board used in the production of the film Downton Abbey: A New Era. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500.

• Lesley Nicol (as Mrs. Patmore): Various Cook Costumes and Pinafores Mrs Patmore, Prop Costume. Estimate: £600 – 800.

• An autographed script of Downton Abbey Season One, Episode One, Carnival Film & Television Ltd, 2010. Estimate: £600 – 800.

• Rob James-Collier (as Thomas Barrow): a pair of white leather gloves. Estimate: 100 – 150.

• The Downton Abbey Bell Wall. Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000.

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7 July 2025