Finding Downton: our journey to Highclere Castle

Editor’s note: This long article originally appeared in Issue 5 of British Magazine in the spring of 2017. You can support long-form writing about British history, culture and travel by subscribing to Angloopia Prin Magazine, a quarterly love letter to Britain. Subscriptions make articles like this possible and secure the future of the English-speaking world. You can subscribe here.

Highclere Castle is one of only a handful of places in Britain that have become part of the global popular imagination. Many of you may remember it from Jeeves and Worcester, its first claim to fame or as the home of Lord Carnarvon, who funded the discovery of King Tut's tomb. But now the world knows houses like Downton Abbey, the setting for the world's most popular costume drama, which recently ended its run. We had the opportunity to visit last spring and it was the trip of a lifetime. A brief history of Highclere:

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Even before the success of "Downton Abbey", if you have a passion for British mansions, then Highclere Castle must be on your visit list At least once in your life. This house is located just south of the city of Newbury, Berkshire, and is actually located in Hampshire. The estate covers over 5,000 acres and is still the home of the Earl of Carnarvon ( Although they lived here only part of the year).

The origins of the estate date back to nearly 1,300 years ago. Highclere Castle was the fifth or sixth castle in the world. The house built on the estate. It was once a larger manor built by the Bishop of Winchester, and the original site is actually recorded in the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror's New Conquest. Accounts of the Kingdom) However, it was in 1679 that the home was taken over by the Carnarvon family, who still own it today. As an aside, the house was known as a house, and possibly even a monastery. A palace, then a provincial residence, it is now called a castle because of its grandeur; although it does not look like a castle in the traditional sense

During this period it was a square, classical-style building. Mansion. In 1692, Robert Sawyer gave the estate as a wedding gift to his daughter Margaret, who married Margaret's second son, Robert, 8th Earl of Pembroke. Rober Sawyer Herber inherited the Highclere estate and created a formal garden with 12 temples and follies, creating his own influence on the estate under his nephew and heir to the estate, Henry. Herbert, later known as Baron Portchester, became the first Earl of Carnarvon in 1838, when the third Earl entrusted Charles with the task of rebuilding the Houses of Parliament. Sir Barry. During this period, there was a Renaissance movement and Barry was very creative. However, at Highclere, the estate he designed has some details that do reflect the Renaissance. The castle's tower, for example, is slimmer than other towers built during the same period. It is said that when creating the sketch for the house, Bari used all the characteristics of the Italian Renaissance. However, it was rejected by the Count. You think it looks like the Houses of Parliament, and that's on purpose. The Houses of Parliament, which was rebuilt after it burned down in 1834, were also designed by Barry, a prominent Victorian architect. In fact, it was not a design style that evolved into the 20th century. Many famous neo-Gothic buildings were demolished due to changing tastes and soaring maintenance costs. Highclere Library - Current Lady of Carnarvon - Photo copyright Adam Hillier Photography

The third Earl died. 1849, Sir Charles Barry died in 1860. At this time, the west wing was still unfinished; the servants' quarters were designated there. The 4th Earl commissioned the services of architect Thomas Allom, who had worked with Barrie in previous years, to help oversee the completion of the castle. It was finally completed in 1878 and took quite some time from start to finish. Many of Britain's great houses were built over several generations to look like they do today - and High Clare is no exception.

In the 20th century, Gauclair Castle was a gathering place for various important figures. Visitor brochures record family gatherings at the castle attended by Egyptologists, aviators, soldiers, technological innovators and politicians. During the First World War, Almina, the fifth Countess of Carnarvon, converted the house into a hospital to help soldiers returning from the Battle of Flanders in Belgium. Almina became a skilled nurse and therapist, documented in the countless letters written by patients and their families thanking her for her generosity.

In 1919, the castle returned to the private home of the Earl of Carnarvon and his family. After his death in 1923, his son returned to Highclere Castle where he lived until 1986.

You may recognize No. 7 Earl of Carnarvon from the recent Neflix TV series The Crown.

Lord Porcheser, as the young Queen called him, was Her Majesty's close friend. They both had a similar love for horses and worked together for many years raising horses. In 1969, Porch became the Queen's racing manager and was known as one of the few people with direct access to Her Majesty about her beloved horses. "The Crown" speculates that there may be more to their relationship, but we'll never truly know. He is an important British politician and local politician. After his father's death in 1987, he became the seventh Earl of Carnarvon. Lord Portchester died on September 11, 2001 (unrelated to other major events that occurred that day). Oak Staircase - Image copyright Adam Hillier Photography

The current residents of Highclere Castle are the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Lord Carnarvon and his father opened the castle to the public in 1988, and before "Downton Abbey," they had a very successful wedding business. Lord and Lady Carnarvon have lived partly at the castle since 2003, as they do today (they spend less time at the castle when it is open to the public). They created the Egyptian exhibition in 2007, which was so successful that it is still open today.

The cost of repairs related to the ancient barn and folly, as well as the castle itself, is estimated to be around ￡12 million (about $20 million). They have been operating on a stable maintenance program, although, like houses in many countries, a maintenance investment deficit has accumulated since the Second World War. Thanks to the success of Downton Abbey which has increased visitors since 2012, the Earl and Lady Carnarvon can continue working at the castle. The family lived at Highclere Castle during the winter and then returned to their cottage in the summer when the castle was open to the public.

Owning such a great house is quite a challenge. Lord and Lady Carnarvon had the roof overhauled in 2003. Since then, they have amassed an extensive roster of experts, whether it's roofing, masonry, plumbing or electrical. The houses were built to the very different architectural standards of the Victorian era, and although they are built of stone to stand the test of time, many aspects of the houses have truly endured. Their houses are well built, but considering the size, the bills are always considerable and for some larger houses, beyond their means. Roofs are the most common problem - usually made of lead or slate. A leaky roof is a cancer to a stately home; it can lead to rot and mold that can weaken the structure of the home. Their age also complicates the second major issue; finding the necessary skills needed to solve these problems. However, Ms. Carnarvon has built a roster of skilled business people and a great team. It does take time, but when you measure the life of a house over several hundred years, that's not a problem as plumbing, electrical, and other services become obsolete. Thankfully, Highclere has been able to stay modern under an effective program since 2003. A lot of money goes into making sure the lights and heating still work, keeping these buildings up to modern standards. If you don't keep these things up to date, you're going to run into a problem that has destroyed many of Britain's lost stately homes: fire. Thankfully, a fire did not hit Highcler.

Many people assume that the owners of a house like this are extremely wealthy, but the saying "house rich, cash poor" applies here. An estate like Highclere costs a lot of money to operate and maintain, as does any business employing hundreds of people. Many earls and dukes struggled to keep their heads above water. Many people are reluctant to give up their homes and they either give up their homes or hand them over to the National Trust. So, to find a house as beautiful as Highclere that is still in the hands of the original owner is quite a treat.

The success of "Downton Abbey" catapulted Highclere Castle to fame as the owners worked hard to keep the house in good condition. The TV series was created by Julian Fellowes and premiered in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2010, and in the United States on January 9, 2011. The series is set in Downton Abbey (Downton Abbey) in Yorkshire and depicts the lives of the Crawley family, including the lives of their servants. Set in the post-Edwardian era, the play depicts how major events in history have a lasting impact on those in aristocratic positions (the sinking of the Titanic and the loss of an inheritance set the play in motion). The show wasn't expected to last past its first season, but it became a global hit - cementing its status as one of the most beloved British period dramas of all time.

Visitors now come from all over the world to visit Highclere Castle during its opening year. Occupancy income ensures the home's survival and allows the owner to invest in a multi-year repair and renovation program. The house of the future is safe for generations to enjoy. Discovering Downton - Our ability to visit the Brown Shaped Landscape

We have been trying to visit Highclere Castle for a few years now. It's only open on select days of the year, and they sell tickets six months or more in advance. Therefore, available tickets are always sold out.

While they may have a few tickets left each day, if you're in the US and can't buy tickets in advance, they're open to walking tours, and planning a trip would be too risky (but they recommend emailing ahead of time to see if you can get in Got in last minute).

We managed to buy tickets for April 2016, and the Spring Festival travel tickets were available the previous fall. Since our tickets were secure, we were happy to plan a trip to visit there. We bought our tickets, counted the days, and couldn't wait to visit. To prepare, we binge-watched old episodes of Downton Abbey and researched the background of the house.

The day of our visit arrived and we woke up early in anticipation. We were staying in a self-catering cottage about an hour's drive from Dorset, so we had breakfast and then got in the car for the morning drive through the English countryside to the house. The drive took a little longer than we planned. We foolishly thought Apple Maps would find our way to one of the most famous houses in the world, but alas it directed us to a private entrance. A Google search on the roadside in Berkshire told us that almost all sat nav systems got it wrong and we found the correct postcode at the visitor's entrance. Be sure to check the directions on a house before you try to go! ”

We actually didn’t mind, we loved driving in the English countryside and it was a particularly beautiful sunny day. We had morning tickets (the organizers divided the day into two groups: morning tickets and afternoon tickets), This means we can enter the house as soon as the door opens for a variety of reasons (sometimes the artifacts in the room are too delicate to risk photographing, or the room is too small to put equipment in) so see what you didn't expect to see. What a treat it was to get to the room. What really struck me was not the size of the house but how intimate it felt inside. Walking through it with a group of people and admiring the personal influence of 1,300 years of nobles and earls. It felt almost wrong.

I particularly enjoyed learning more about the various objects inside the show, which the show's creator, Lord Fellowes, often said. , they chose this house because they have all the paintings of dead people you could ask for. They serve as a backdrop in the show; they give it gravity but they never really get commented on (although sometimes a piece of art does). becomes a plot point). So, it's nice to finally get some historical context for the paintings and sculptures we're all so familiar with.

After you've seen all the rooms on the main floor, you're taken upstairs. It's fascinating to see all the private bedrooms because the show doesn't usually use these rooms for filming (but sometimes it does) and they're usually built on the set to make filming easier (because the rooms are small, Suitable for filming equipment). Only a small part of the 50-8 rooms in the house is open and you can see it. At the end of the self-guided tour, there is a chance to climb down the famous and beautiful oak staircase, just like Lord Grantham's. Like Isis with his dog. I felt a twinge as I climbed down the stairs and you are taken outside the back of the house where you can find some Highclere related items. Souvenirs (no actual Downton merchandise though). The kitchen now manages the tea room so it's not open to the public. The wine cellar is taken over by the Egyptian exhibition (see sidebar) so don't expect to see Mrs Patmore preparing dinner in the basement! After you see this house you'll always want to walk around the beautiful grounds, designed by renowned landscape architect Capabiliy Brown. There are lots of follies and ruins to take lots of beautiful photos of.

The question begs the question - if you like "Downton Abbey" - should you go to Highclere Castle? Of course, yes you should. You won't regret it before you visit. Will it help your visit? Yes, of course. Other TV and movie shows

Other TV and movie shows that have used the castle include: "The Secret Garden" (1987), "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999), "The Four Feathers" (2002), John Legend's music video "Heaven Only Knows" (2006). It was also featured in the classic comedy series "Jeeves and Wooster" as Torita. Highclere Castle also hires facilities for small film units and photography sessions, many of which are wedding events. Further research on "KDSP"

The current Countess of Carnarvon is a prolific author and has written several fascinating books on the history of Highclere Castle. The most famous are Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: Highclere Castle, Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Lost Legacy of the Real Downton Abbey. She also has a new book coming out in Spring 2017 called At Home at Highclere - Entertainment, historic weekends, menus and recipes at the real Downon Abbey. She also runs a lovely blog at ladycarnvon.

Editor's Note: Lady Carnarvon and Highclere Castle are currently running a competition to win a grand prize for a stay at Highclere Castle, a very rare private residence. You have to hold a dinner party and submit it to the competition.

Full details here.

PBS has also produced an excellent documentary about Highclere called "The Secret of Highclere Castle", available on DVD and Blu-ray. Is Al So streaming on PBS and Amazon Prime? Access information

Highclere Castle is open approximately 70 days per year. It is open for two weeks during the Easter holidays, the May Bank Holiday and two months during the summer, from Sunday to Thursday. It is also open for a few days in December to celebrate Christmas. There are guides in the castle rooms to answer any questions or gossip about Downton. They offer various discounts for large groups and school visits. For complete information on planning a visit, please visit: highclerecasle.co. Tickets must be reserved in advance and often sell out months in advance, so planning ahead is crucial. They now host an annual garden party with a "Dress Up" theme, and 2017's theme was the 1920s.

Ticket prices vary (and change each year), but currently admission to the castle, Egyptian exhibition and gardens is ￡23 (approximately US$30) for adults and ￡14 (approximately US$16) for children , family is ￡60 (about $80) for four. Tickets are cheaper if you choose not to attend the Egypt exhibit (don't pay if you're not interested in ancient Egypt).

Special Note: No photography of any kind is allowed in the house! "Getting there"

The house is relatively close to London. There are tour companies that can take you there. But the best way is to drive there yourself. According to them: "Please do not use anywhere near Highclere Castle "Satellite Navigation" as this will take you to the wrong entrance. If you do use the local restaurant's postcode RG209LE, follow the brown tourist signs from there to the main entrance.

You can also take a train directly from London Paddington to Newbury, where you can take a taxi to the house. This will cost between ￡15-20 each way (don't forget to book your return with a driver!). You can also take a bus from London Victoria to Newbury and then take a taxi from there. Expect to spend 3-4 hours exploring the house and grounds.

As always, be sure to check Highclere’s (highclerecasle.co.) before visiting to make sure you have all the latest travel and opening information. A Narrator - Earl and King Tut

The fifth Earl of Carnarvon discovered a tomb containing the Egyptian boy Pharaoh Tut during an archaeological expedition in 1922 with the help of his colleague Howard Carter Dig down. The pair spent 16 years in Egypt on various excavation trips. The Earl also helped Carter build a house in the desert near the Valley of the Kings, aptly called "Carter's Castle." Both men believed there were more tombs in the Valley of the Kings. To help prove their hypothesis, they created a grid system to record where they had excavated.

In the autumn of 1922, they planned their final excursion, accompanied by the Count's daughter, Lady Evelyn. Their trip was apparently a success thanks to the discovery of the Egyptian boy pharaoh. After the 5th Earl's death, his widow sold his collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to pay death taxes. However, not all the artefacts were sold and were hidden in cupboards until they were rediscovered by the Carnarvon family in 1987.

To celebrate the fifth Earl's success, the current Earl and Countess opened an Egyptian exhibition in the castle's cellars, which still exists today. Also known as the Discovery Gallery, this highlights the different events of the Carnarvon family during the Great War, their unfortunate financial situation, and the overall discovery of Egyptian antiquities. The story was recently adapted by ITV in a 2016 four-part drama (currently available on BriBox in the US).

Thanks to Ms. Carnarvon and her office for carefully reviewing this article before publication last year.

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