Downton Abbey Castle

January 31, 2024 Post a Comment

Downton abbey castle

Highclere Castle is most recognizable to the world as the real life location of the TV show—and much anticipated movie, out September 20—Downton Abbey.

Where is the real castle of Downton Abbey?

Highclere Castle, stately home in Hampshire, England, owned by the earls of Carnarvon. The castle has more than 200 rooms and stands on a tract of about 1,060 acres (430 hectares). It gained fame as the setting for the television series Downton Abbey (2010–15).

Can I visit the castle from Downton Abbey?

Highclere Castle has limited opening throughout the year, focussed mainly on April, May, July, August and September. There are also some special events at the Castle throughout the year. As tickets are scarce, even more so after the Downton Abbey film, it is recommended to book your tour early to avoid disappointment.

How many bedrooms are in Highclere Castle?

Visitors at the castle are able to take a tour around 12 of the bedrooms, but in total there are around 40 to 50.

Does anyone currently live in Highclere Castle?

Today, Highclere is home to George Herbert and his wife Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Lord and Lady Carnarvon), owners of the 'real' Downton Abbey house.

Does Highclere Castle still have servants?

The jobs of many of the 1920s staff at Highclere castle, which serves as Downton Abbey in the show and film, still exist today, albeit in more modern forms.

Is Highclere Castle worth visiting?

Highclere Castle is well worth a visit and worth the wait for tickets. We had had high expectations and they were surpassed and although we would have loved to see more of the house and the servant quarters, it is understandable that some of it is in disrepair. I do hope more will open up over the coming years.

Do estates like Downton Abbey still exist?

Rather than the fictional Crawley family, it's been the real 'seat' of the Earls of Carnarvon since the 1600's, with the current Earl and Countess still in residence today. In addition to standing in as the Earl of Grantham's 'Downton Abbey', Highclere Castle welcomes visitors through its now-famous front doors.

What does it cost to stay at Highclere Castle?

The cost of a night's stay at Highclere Castle is $186.36. The reservation is first come, first served. What can you expect? The castle sits on more than 1,000 acres and boasts 300 rooms.

Do you have to pay to walk around Highclere Castle?

Whilst there are some gravel paths around the Castle lawns and through some of the Gardens, the Woodland Walks are rougher grass paths, as are the paths through the Flower Meadow in the summer. Please note that an admission ticket is always required for entrance to the Castle, Gardens, and Grounds.

Do you have to pay to go to Highclere Castle?

Although you do have to pay for tickets to visit the inside, there are plenty of free Highclere Castle walks that you can take around the estate that are public rights of way! This means that Downton fans can easily see the stately home where they filmed Downton Abbey for free.

How long does it take to tour Highclere Castle?

We would recommend allowing for at least 3 hours to visit Highclere Castle, but you could probably do a quick tour to see the highlights in 2 hours. If you only have 2 hours, we'd recommend about 1 hour to tour the Castle itself, 30 minutes for the Egyptian Exhibition, and 30 minutes to explore a bit of the gardens.

Did Downton Abbey have bathrooms?

During the Downton Abbey series, there were a few bathroom scenes — Cora Crawley bathing languidly in her ensuite tub and Molesley dying his hair in the servants' bathroom, which was complete with tub, sink, and visible plumbing. But that may not have been the norm at the time.

How much does it cost to have a wedding at Highclere Castle?

Weddings at Highclere begin at $25,000; the library seats 100 people for dinner, and afternoon tea can be served for 150.

Who inherits Highclere Castle?

The Right Honourable The Earl of Carnarvon
Residence	Highclere Castle
Spouse(s)	Jayne Wilby ( m. 1989; div. 1998) Fiona Aitken ( m. 1999)
Issue	Lady Saoirse Herbert George Herbert, Lord Porchester The Hon. Edward Herbert
Heir	George Herbert, Lord Porchester

Why is Downton called an abbey?

It's Downton, Not Downtown: And it's not about life at a convent or monastery as "abbey" might make you think! The sprawling estate—home to the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff—was once an ecclesiastical property, hence the "abbey" in the title.

How do they heat Highclere Castle?

Massive Highclere Castle, along with other historic homes in Europe and the U.S. that were once heated solely by fireplaces, is taking steps to save energy by installing efficient lights and nearby solar panels.

Has Queen Elizabeth Been to Highclere Castle?

Yes. The King and Queen visited Highclere Castle during World War I in February of 1917.

How much did a lady's maid earn?

Maids and Housekeepers made a median salary of $28,780 in 2021. The best-paid 25% made $30,960 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $23,470.

How much of Downton Abbey is true?

The show is as historically accurate as possible. While the Crawley family featured in the show is, in fact, fictional, Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton, has told ABC News that it was “very important” to him that the series be as historically accurate as possible.