via Enchanted Serenity of Period Films
Downton Abby is a Masterpiece Theater series written by Julian Fellows (writer of Gosford Park and the Young Victoria), starring Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern. The first season begins in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic and in 7 episodes takes us to the announcement of war with Germany in 1914. It’s a well written, well made show that explores the fascinating and complex upstairs/downstairs relationship between master and servants in their own private world, during an incredibly vivid period of British history. But the real star of the show is…the house itself.
Highclere Castle courtesy of Paul Hilton
Highclere is one of England’s most beautiful Victorian Castles set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland located in Newbury, west of London. Highclere Castle has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679. Built on an ancient site, and rebuilt a couple of times throughout it’s history, the present day Castle was last re-designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect also responsible for building the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
The Castle’s history also includes ties with ancient Egypt, as the 5th Earl, along with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. He later died of blood poisoning in a hotel room in Cairo, never having made it back to Highclere. This of course has spawned many tabloid rumors to the effect of a Pharaohs curse etc.
From a distance the home looks like a classic fairytale castle. The majestic architecture and stunning setting have allowed it to play host through centuries to royalty, nobility and celebrities alike. However, as with many of the great homes in England and elsewhere, Highclere Castle conceals the depressingly modern reality of a stately home in need of a £12m repair.
Lord Carnarvon showing some of the disrepair of Highclere Castle via Mail on-line
Like many other great estate families, Lord Carnarvon has a long and difficult road ahead of him, especially in this new economy. But all is not lost, as the house itself helps out…from housing an exhibition of some of the finds from Tutenkamen’s grave, including some rare antiquities from the 5th Earl’s earlier Egyptian excavations; to hosting weddings, horse events and concerts; to the renting of the home for filming, in this case, the filming of Downton Abbey.
The first two floors have been kept up by the family for daily living as well as tours and special events. Some of these spectacular rooms have become part of our world as we live vicariously through the dramatic and often funny events and lives of the characters of Downton Abbey. Come take a tour of some of my favorites:
Enter this way, via Highclere Castle
Great Hall entry: via Highclere Castle
the ceiling of the Great Hall: via HIghclere Castle
the formal Parlor off the great hall:via Highclere Castle
The Drawing Room: via Highclere Castle
and my favorite, the library: via Highclere Castle
For more views of the rooms visit the photo gallery at Highclere! Right now they are filming the next 8 episodes for season 2 of Downton Abbey at Highclere. Masterpiece will premier season 2 this fall in England, but not until fall of 2012 here in the US (I think we should petition for a same date release myself!). If you haven’t seen the series yet, you can live stream from ITV Drama Series, or stream or rent it from Netflix.
You may wonder that as a proponent of Slow Home and a simpler and more sustainable way of life, why I think Highclere Castle as Downton Abbey is a Little Bit of Beauty™? Well, for me preservation of our history, art and architecture is a great gift to the world. We learn from our past, appreciate a way of life long gone and there is a great deal of beauty in all of that!
I invite you to leave a comment below with your thoughts and feelings about this part of history, the show or the house itself. Thanks for stopping by!
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35 Comments
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I have not watched Downtown Abbey, but it looks like I should. Like you Irene, I believe in preserving the glory of the past. And while I would not want to live in one of these castles, I am delighted that life is still breathed through these rooms in so many festive ways.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle laughter and Diva Dens
http://LYShome.com-
Author
It really is a fabulous show Jen and worth the watch. Like you, I wouldn’t want to live in this house, but I certainly do appreciate the architecture, interiors and history.
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Thanks for the info. Where I am from in Keighley there is a smaller one called Cliff Castle which is sometimes used in TV shows. And of course we are more famous for the filming of the Railway Children on our steam train line which runs from Keighley to Oxenhope through Howarth. home of the Bronte sisters.
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I do love the old houses in England and other European countries Julie. I guess living in a “young” country most of my life makes me appreciate the sense of continuance one finds there…both family wise and historical. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by
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This is definitely one I should check out. I’ve not seen either the real thing or the series.
These old buildings are magnificent, aren’t they? I remember as a kid visiting old castles and palaces and feeling really excited being there. I’m like Jen, I think they’re fabulous to visit and look at, but living in them wouldn’t be my cup of tea. It’s bad enough living in our Victorian townhouse which is freezing in the winter months.
Fiona Stolze
Inspired Art and Living
http://fionastolze.com -
Being a BermudoCanadian Anglophile and history/art history buff (English Mother, Grandad a Commander in the Royal Navy, dontcha know?), I just suck up this kind of stuff like a vacuum cleaner on steroids.
Not only do we ooh and ahh over this kind of architecture and interiors, we also worship at the altar of Masterpiece Theater, and will participate in any movement to bring Downton Abbey Part 2 to our shores before 2012, the year of Nostrodamus’ Great ‘Who
Knows What’.-
you make me laugh Bill…Welcome to Little Bits of Beauty™. I’m glad you found us!
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Irene – this is soooo beautiful! I am ready to move in! Gorgeous pictures!
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Thanks for stopping by Kelly! Have you seen the show? If not, I think you would love it
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What amazes me about these pictures is how clear and vivid the colors in the rooms are … not old and musty looking but vibrant and gorgeous! I don’t think we usually think of castles this way. Thanks for the great reminder … I loved the mini-series and was so happy to learn there will be a second season.
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Of course these rooms are the one’s open to the public so therefore they are in better shape then the rest of the castle. Apparently the whole top two floors are falling apart which is such a shame! Yes, I’m glad for season 2 as well, and wish it was now!
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…just watched the US 1st show of season 2 and found this at the same time…lovely interior and impressive exterior, love the room behind the hidden door in the library. Thanks so much for the slides.
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