<p>I meant to say "up", not "down".  </p>

<p>Because Downton Abbey is set to be near Ripon, which is in the northern part of England.  About center east to west, just a little north of the latitude that Liverpool sits at.  So London is down south. </p>

<p>As I said in my correction, I meant "up", not "down". Several times one of the characters has said he or she is "going up to London." Downton is in Yorkshire, so I know it is north of London. That is what prompted my question. </p>

<p>Oh, I hadn't noticed them saying "up", sorry. </p>

<p>It's just to do with the fact that it's London, it's an important place and therefore you go 'up' to it no matter where you are in the country! I don't know how or why it started but you do still hear people say they are going 'up to London' when they will in fact be travelling south. </p>

<p>Also covered in this thread. </p>