Observations
Observations
For a few weeks earlier in the year, and then again over the last month as we prepared for Christmas, the team at Highclere have been followed by a film crew making an observational documentary on real life at the Castle. It is being shown on Monday nights on a UK channel at 9pm, culminating in a “Christmas special”.
Most of the time, the crew consisted of just two people - a cameraman (David) and an assistant who went about their business discretely and with very little fanfare. Of course, this was all a far cry from the huge production crew and cast who would arrive at 6am in the morning with hundreds of white vans and masses of kit and wires running in convoluted snakes throughout the castle to film the scenes for Downton Abbey. 
Rather than a Monday evening, however, the Downton TV series used to go out on a cosy Sunday evening and funnily enough I still miss them. I liked the comfort of the timing and regularity and the feeling that I could sort out my thoughts for the coming week, put them to one side and settle down to watch Downton at Downton.
Downton’s fictional family were always immaculately dressed whilst we tend to run around outside imperfectly but definitely more practically attired. Some of our key characters in real life are outside – Paul the gardener or Simon on the farm and we are a small “crew”. In past times, each area of work was called a department and, by habit that name has stuck, although the teams of today are rather lighter in number than the 15 or 20 names I can see listed in the wonderful handwritten ledgers of the past.
I am not quite sure what the production team expected and in any case it was hard to plan for since that would mitigate the very description “observational”. Whilst the programme is called Highclere behind the scenes, “observe” in terms of to watch over, keep safe or to pay attention is exactly what Geordie and I try to achieve: to protect and look after Highclere, to pay attention to the detail of the events and projects to ensure they will work.
John the Castle Manager also has an assiduous eye for detail and keeps so many paper records that there is nowhere to sit in his office. Nevertheless, at any moment he seems to be able to triumphantly pull out the right bit of recycled paper with the notes he was looking for. Of course, Downton Abbey itself contributed several filing cupboards of paper whilst the filming project has its own pile.
Part of the amusement in the programme is about the detail and timing as plans clash and we have to try to make it work and documentaries like these work best if there are some outgoing characters! I know we have those but it was interesting to see some of the quieter and younger members of the team coming out of their shells.
Then there were the “pictures within pictures” moments where the documentary team were filming myself and the marketing team doing our own filming which I found very amusing.
Our efforts were never quite as co-ordinated and slick as theirs but we have got better I think! My most abiding memory is of David the cameraman shaking with laughter, his camera bobbing up and down as we got something wrong so that both sets of film had to be redone. It certainly gave us a new appreciation of just how hard it is to get everything looking flawless on film and the time it takes to achieve it.
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60 Comments
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
How hectic but normal! Glad you experienced the wonderful yet enormous “takeover” first! That photo of you with the gaze of your loving dog is a keeper!
Seeing John’s desk is aspirational.
Have a great week ahead.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I love how the Castle continues to be the centerpiece and the backdrop for so many wonderful and interesting films. I hope() the new series is available in the US at some point. It sounds like great viewing!
All good luck with your seemingly endless list of projects, each one fascinating and inspiring! Enjoy the festive season and be well! Thank you for sharing another piece of all things Highclere.
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
Thank you Barbara
Thank you!
I love that you share with us many of High mere happenings.
Merry Christmas and may 2023 be full of many blessings.
Janet in South Carolina, USA
It is going to be the highlight of my visit to the UK to take the tour from London to see this beautiful place in person in Aug 2023. I do not have anything booked except my tour to see Highclaire and my tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Just a thank you and let you know how much we all appreciate your emails! It makes it seem like we're all still connected to your happenings at the world famous Downton Abbey.
Hope you and yours have an amazing Christmas!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Another whirlwind season for you and Lord Carnarvon; however, it looks like a fun experience. I know what goes on behibd the scenes is much more complex than any of us could imagine. The castle looks amazing. Sally and crew have done a wonderful job!!!
Best Regards,
Pam
Good morning, will we be able to see this documentary in the US? This would be so fun to see! I, too, miss the Sunday evenings with Downton!
Thank you for sharing your castle with the world!
Will we has the op to watch in the US? ❤️
Merry Christmas!
How funny!
You are very kind
Your timing is so on point and loved the stories you tell of filming and chaos.
On a smaller scale it's crazy here as well so your in great company.
Thanks for bringing some sense amongst the craziness your such a wonderful conveyer of stories and fun.
Yes, the Castle looks amazing
I hope this will get picked up in the US. I still can’t believe I walked through your beautiful house in October! It was the highlight of my trip. Merry Christmas to you.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank You very much for your wonderful insight into the World of Filming at Highclere - I bet there were many laughs & "oooopsies" along the way!
I love your humour & warmth, they exactly compliment your stunning home & the warmth & humour it radiates - as always, your Christmas Tree, Garlands & Decorations are breathtakingly fabulous....
Happy Christmas to you & everyone at Highclere, much love always,
Caroline
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Lord Carnarvon and you have to be very patient considering the number of film crews which have invaded the Castle and your lives. We cannot thank you enough for doing so. I have started watching Downton Abbey again and this time I am spending my time looking at your beautiful home.
Susan Kearsey
Newfoundland
I am obsessed with Highclere & it is because of Downton. Coming to visit is on my bucket list & if that’s all I get to do in the UK if I ever do get there I’ll be the happiest girl in the world. So glad I signed up for this & thank you for sharing all of it! Happy Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you there from a Native American here in Wisconsin.
Hello, Lady Carnarvon,
When I opened the email with your always anticipated Monday post, the first pic with your magnificent tree took me right back to the Christmas scene with the carolers from the village in the Downton Abbey TV series. It gave me a warm-fuzzy feeling,
I miss sitting down on Sunday nights and watching, too. Thank you for creating your weekly email/blog post. It fills a void for many of us, I suspect. It certainly does for me.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and entire staff!
Good morning Lynn,
I am in the USA also -
I just tried to sign in on the Chanel 4 website to view the 1st episode however it would not let me access viewing from an American I phone…. I hope we will be able to see the series here also?
Thank you so much!
Lovely pictures of observations and did you have a nice and lord Carnarvon have a nice weekend
Iam fan of Downton abbey
Happy Christmas when it comes
I hope it will too!
Thank you - Sally and all her elves excelled themselves this year!
Look forward to seeing you
Happy Christmas to you too
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Do you ever get a chance to rest, there is something happening for you constantly.
I had not thought of your getting to sit and watch the Downton filming, like a mouse in the corner. I do envy you as seeing the past brought to life in your own dwelling would be magical (even if the past is a different past than actually transpired there).
You are right that capturing the best shot can be time-consuming as I remember watching my older sister shooting footage (in this case outside) and hearing the director shouting cut when a cloud would wonder into her light or a jet plane go by overhead which could be heard by the sound engineer. Everyone would just stand around until they passed and then they could continue on.
Thank you for the pleasant thoughts and I hope you get to see your children over the holidays.
I very much hope the programme will travel
I am looking forward to a very relaxed Christmas, thank you
Hello Lady Carnarvan!
Your pictures are wonderful. And such a lovely Christmas tree! Seeing that took me back to the episodes of Downton Abbey. I miss watching it on Sunday evening. My mother loved watching Downton and it was the last program that she saw , and that we talked about, just days before she passed away (2014). She thought your home was the most beautiful house she’d ever seen. Thank you for sharing these pictures! I hope your new program will be available here in America.
Merry Christmas to you!
Cynthia
Lady Carnarvon,
I would have loved to have been a ‘fly on the wall’ watching the filming of the filming! A great description of how you and Geordie make yourselves available in ‘real life’ to your constant public. Your staff family must totally enjoy their careers at Highclere!
Wishing you and all a wonderful holiday season with your marvelous Egyptian experience for visitors! Just wish I could be there once more!
Martha
Hmmmmmm. Sounds like I'm going to be on a mission this Christmas season trying to find this here in the U.S. Do you think maybe Brit Box or Acorn will pick it up? Can't wait to see it.
I take two minutes to express my sincere congratulations to the cameraman and all the staff members. Their Instagram videos are so delicious, especially the choice of songs . "A sight for sore eyes" would say Mrs Hughes...Well done!
Dear Lady Carnarvon!
Oh, I really wish we could be able to watch The documentary on beautiful Highclere over here in Sweden.
Have a wonderful Christmas month of December!
Swedish greetings from Lena
Dear Lady Carnarvan,
Excited to hear about your new Highclere video due to be televised Monday night on a UK channel.
Do you know when it will be televised in the USA?
Happy Holidays
KRISTINE LILJA-KING
Maine, USA
Hello Lady Carnarvon
Thankyou for your insights and the brilliant pictures
Wish we could see your Highclere behind the scenes preparing for Christmas in Australia!
Even better if we could view this program on ABC or SBS Televion without excessive advertising to interrupt the presentation
That would be just great!
Best wishes and Merry Christmas!
FLEURINA
Orange City
Central Western NSW
Australian East Coast
My husband and I will be coming to England in January 2023. My only place I’ve wanted to visit is Highclare Castle. I understand there will be no tours when we come. Us that correct?
Could it be possible to have a private tour. We are both 75 and 80 and May never gave this opportunity again to come to England
Thank you
Karen Monte
Dear Lady Carnarvon;
I am another one from the US who really, really wants to watch this documentary series!! Can you/will you call Julian Fellowes and ask that he use his contacts and considerable influence so that all of us who loved Downton Abbey and especially Highclere will be able to see it. After all, he and the producers chose Highclere and thus fostered the incredible love and interest we all have. It could be a Christmas present for all of us!!
Thank you and Happy Christmas!!
I echo Lynn and Cherie’s hope that the program be available in the United States. Thank you for sharing the Highclere story. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
Suzanne
Aside from the fact that Downton Abbey is my favorite film ever, it stimulated my interest in the lovely castles, stately homes & the history of Victorian England & the UK. I've spent many hours watching films & reading about so many wonderful places. I am so glad DA made Highclere the most recognized home in the UK. You are so blessed to live in such a magical beautiful place. Thank you for your care, your interested in preserving the beauty & history and for sharing your knowledge with us.
GT
Thank you!
I will do my best -I have a few emails to write!
There are a number of tours in January - when are you arriving ?
Something to pursue
I hope you will at some time!
Highclere is even lovelier when decorated for Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing life at Highclere with us in your weekly blogs. They bring back wonderful memories of my two visits, as well as seeing it all through the Downton Abbey TV series and movies. Yes, filming is full of difficulties but it’s good of you and Geordie to support/allow/do it! I look forward to seeing the documentary at some point and meanwhile wish you and the Highclere family all the joys of the holiday season.
Gratefully,
Sharon
Novato, CA
Hi I am in Ireland but I don't have More4 TV so my niece is kindly recording it for me on a USB stick so HOPEFULLY I'll have it soon looking forward to seeing it
Hope so!
Very kind
Dear Lady Carnarvon
I do hope we can see it here in the US. I watch Downton Abbey, listen to the familiar music on Peacock, a streaming channel here, and I am immediately transported to my visit to Highclere, my happy place. I wish you a Joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Carole in Charlotte, NC
Yes I hope to see this program in the US as well!
Lady Carnarvon, splendid series and so looking forward to the next ones. A must watch. Perfect! Cheryl.
Very nice of that Labrador to allow you to sit on his/her chair. Didn’t give you much room though lol
I live in the US also, but I watch all British channels. I have a VPN, (you can google it, there are many options) and when I'm connected to it they thin I am in England, and it allows me to watch the shows. To me well worth it. I'm watching this on 4 on demand.
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Thank you for sharing Your Home with Us. Wishing you a Most Happy and Healthy Holiday.
Your new Book The Earl and The Pharaoh arrived at my door this morning as promised by Amazon.
How well I remember that moment in the virtual tour series when I asked if you planned a book on the 100th Anniversary of the Discovery and if you planned a book and you responded that you were.
Wishing you and the Family and staff aa most happy Holiday Season.
Happy holiday to you!
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for your Monday blog and the great pictures. I like the one of you and one of your dogs. Is that Stella seated next to you?
Will the filmed program be available in Canada or the United States? I would like to watch the same, but need to know where to tune in. If not, will you arrange for a viewing on another social media platform?
Until next week, keep calm and watch out for the camera crew.
Perpetua Crawford
It is Stella's sister Freya
Lovely photos again. Always wonderful to see Lord Carnarvon and you too in photos of your amazing Highclere Castle home. Regarding the new documentary on your holiday set ups, any chance those of us in USA (and other countries of your world wide Blog family) will be able to view it also as we'd all LOVE to view it too?