
Christmas – as far as the Castle is concerned – is nearly upon us and Sally in the gift shop has co-opted everyone she can to help prepare and decorate for our Christmas events in December. It does not matter if you normally work in an office, in the gardens, with the horses, or in the tearooms – Sally will be looking for you. You can, however, tell who is and is not helping when they sparkle and glitter as they reappear back at their desks. If you sit where any of them has been working, then you too will glitter from behind as you walk away.

Happy, if soggy, elves with just some of our 8,500 baubles

A very festive Muffet
We are also literally “away in a manger” as Maggie has lent Sally a stable in between Ollie (a very large grey Connemara pony) and Muffet (the Shetland pony) who are looking on with interest, enjoying themselves and the comings and goings, although also likely to acquire glittery coats and manes.
Amongst her seasonal statistics with which Sally likes to entertain her “Christmas elves” she relays that there are over 8,500 baubles and tree decorations, each one wired up, and 250 metres of garlands, all with a very Victorian theme of red, green and gold.
Along with helpers, she is also co-opting space. Any empty shelf, cupboard or corner of a room has mini reindeer, trees of various sizes and floristry arrangements put into it. Boxes of baubles being looped onto wire garlands are laid out before being wound around marquees and staircases and robins, pine cones and berries are balanced out of the way. Luis and the banqueting team have prepared the tables for afternoon tea, and the table decorations are nearly complete.
Large black buckets are being covered with hessian and David the estate joiner is creating wooden blocks to stabilize the trees which will soon go into them. In fact, trees of all sizes are on the move. Abbie and Sally think there are seventy nine trees in total, varying from 12 inches to 24 foot.
Meanwhile, Paul the gardener is checking that Santa’s Grotto is clear and ready and that there is a little bit of warmth and light to help Santa choose the presents from his sack for each child.
Writing a book is a process and a journey and ‘Christmas at Highclere’ is about several journeys in the time that there has been a home here, in the traditions that have developed over the centuries, in my family’s memories and of course in the food that is so central to this time of year. At its heart, however, is the extraordinary contribution of Charles Dickens to our view of Christmas today. As a result of Dickens’ works, and because we are essentially a high Victorian building, we are reflecting that time and those details in the decorations this year.
Today is ‘Operation Christmas Tree’ for which the dress code is your best Christmas jumper. The betting is always on Paul Mac or Luis to find the most eccentric jumper but there may be some late entrants this year.
Update: Here is a picture of the finished tree – only 78 more to go!
Hope we get to see the main tree in the castle and hiw many trees do you have in side. Also would love to see the formal dining room dressed for Christmas.
Thanks love your blog.
I will post photographs when the decorations are finished (which takes 3 days).
I can only imagine how magical it must be to be there during the holidays. I would love to see that 🙂
You must come next year!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Love to see all the work behind the scenes with the Highclere staff. Thank you for sharing. It looks wonderful!
My sister loved Highclere Castle. She died last year, and I will never forget how she found it so beautiful and yet so homely. I had visited before myself, but to see the magical smiles on her face was pure Joy. Thank you for sharing the inside of your beautiful home with all those who visit. I wish I could see it at near Christmas time. I bet it looks stunning with all the gorgeous decorations.
Thank you for sharing your memory.
Oh how I wish I could help you decorate! I wait for Christmas all year and to decorate at such a grand place would just be the most fun ever! Looking beautiful!
Thank you
Fabulous! I was there to see the Christmas decorations last December. I highly recommend going. What an experience!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Jean K
Come back another year!!!
We are coming to some of the Christmas events and cannot wait
It all looks wonderful x
Martin.
I bought the book for my daughter who binge watched all of Downton after I told her she would love it. She cooks and decorates beautifully and I knew she would love your book. It is beautiful. My bucket list now contains a trip to your amazing home
I am so glad your daughter is enjoying my book. You should come and visit next year.
How wonderful it will all look.Everyone so busy and in the spirit of Christmas.
Thank you once again for the Monday morning blog.I do so look forward to it.
Kathleen from Canada.
Fascinating! I loved the behind-the-scenes info and the photos! ❤ Thank you!
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RIO CLARO BRAZIL.
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO – SP
BRAZIL
MILADY,
MUFFET ( THE SHETLAND PONY ) IS LOVELY, LOVELY.HE DESERVES A KISS ON THE MUZZLE
Dear Lady Carnarvon: A joyous Christmas to you and your family; you can truly “time travel” through to the past; how I envy you! Sincerely, Reisa Rogovein
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I just love reading your posts each Monday morning! And this one makes me want to start decorating for Christmas but alas we need to get through the Thanksgiving holiday first and after that, it’s holiday decorating time at our house in South Carolina!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Good Morning, or Good Afternoon!
Half the time of Xmas is waiting for it. The other half is decorating, ALL that you have, and ALL that the tree can hold, and stay STANDING.
The rest is just lighting it up, and watch your long awaited heart fill with the joy of knowing, that soon ALL of the old gang will be home again!
Peace,
John Roberts
Amherst, N.Y.
U.S.A.
Thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Your new book “Christmas at Highclere” is wonderful- I’m using it as my holiday inspiration!
Thank you, however I must admit after seeing your dream team of elves transforming your castle makes me feel a lot less overwhelmed this morning as I face all the boxes of our family decorations that my husband and I hauled down from our attic along with our pre-lit faux tree!
Happy Holidays from Arizona where we cover our palm trees in Christmas lights!
I am so glad you are enjoying my book.
Deck the halls! What fun…and oh, my, what work? I would love to be able to visit and to see Highclere at Christmas time, but not this year, but I am anxiously awaiting for “Highclere at Christmas” book to arrive so I can “almost” be there. Enjoy the pre-holiday season!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Yet another lovely blog, Christmas is my favourite time of year, I love everything about it, going to church and singing carols, remembering loved ones etc. I admire each and everyone involved in putting up your trees and decorations, I know how long it takes me. There are some good Christmas jumpers on display, I like Muffet’s tinsel bridle. I’ve tried the mince pie recipe that is in Christmas at Highclere, I took some into work, and they went own a treat, needless to say, I now have orders for them. Thank you for sharing the journey’s at Highclere in the Christmas book.
Best wishes
Lorraine.x
Mince pies just conjure up Christmas to me – the smell of them baking is sublime.
I agree, I can smell them now!!
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
I really enjoy your blog. I know it must be a huge undertaking to decorate the beautiful house for Christmas but cannot wait to see the results. My mother was English and she married a American soldier and have taken her back to England many times. We hope to visit Highclere one.
Thank you again, Lyn
It is a real team effort over many days – and is months in the planning.
Beautiful decorations.
This week on Thursday in America we celebrate Thanksgiving. A day in which we gave turkey, stuffing and all things yummy. As soon as the turkey is eaten Christmas decorations come out of the boxes, and each has a special memory and place on the tree.
I’m so thankful this year for great family, a beautiful grown daughter and a new puppy.
Lady Carnarvon, thank you for bringing a glimpse of Highclere to us each week.
Mary McGinnis
Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA
We are getting ahead of the game this year as we have so much in the diary, usually we do wait until 1st December.
Looks like everyone’s in the Christmas spirit and having fun, good on you! Hope you all have a great and good health for Christmas and the New Year!
Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories and pictures. It warms my heart and makes my day. May your family experience nothing but wonderful holidays and the upcoming frantically crazy weeks. Enjoy. Someday I hope to able to visit the castle as I am enthralled
Please do – there is lots to see.
Thank you! We had a wonderful Christmas tea yesterday and enjoyed chatting with you in the gift shop. We are on our way back to Los Angeles with our books and other treasures. Merry Christmas!
Thank you – I am so glad you enjoyed your visit.
It’s such a pretty time of year. I love decorating my home for the holidays and am sad when it all has to be put away. Looking forward to seeing the castle in all its Christmas finery! Nice work on the Christmas jumpers!
Lady Carnarvon,
I have so enjoyed reading and looking at “Christmas at Highclere,” your beautiful book! It is indeed as much a picture book as a storybook and cook book. The story and picture of the sweet fairy in red and gold dress which is atop the tree (some years?), facing at just the right angle, and awaiting the approval of Geordie with his cup of tea shows that decorating at everyone’s home has similar stories of years of Christmas joys, and sadness sometimes. I hope this Holy Season is a blessing to you and your family.
Martha
Thank you, you are very kind
Thank you for sharing your captivating story. I love the smell of of a real Christmas tree. May your Christmas season be filled with joy and light.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
It was this time last year that we had the good fortune to visit Highclere and have a private tour – as we entered a back doorway there was a parade of elves coming down the staircase with boxes and boxes of decorations!
It was so special to be there in general but to be there to see the behind the scenes workings of your wonderful home was too good to be true!
I will definitely purchase the book!
Thank you for your wonderful blog posts!
Kitty D., USA
A quick question – what is the difference between the UK and US versions of your books? I am planning a purchase for Christmas gifts and was wondering if the content was slightly different, or if it was purely a shipping option? I am in Canada. Alison
In the US book the recipes are in cups and ounces as opposed to grams and kilos in the UK version – otherwise the content is the same.
I was privileged to visit Highclere last Christmas. It was a highlight of my Christmas. The decorations were beautiful and you and your staff were most gracious.
Patricia from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Thank you – it is a special time of year.
This is SO EXCITING, Lady Carnarvon! We are BOTH decorating today! I love all the photos that you posted with the boxes setting out at the bottom of the stairs, the bags of ornaments being held, etc. Such fun and excitement! Also, your Christmas book arrived and I have pored over it with delight. I notice that you have mentioned Winchester several times in my reading of it already. I live in Winchester, Virginia, perhaps a sister city, but really a town, with a much smaller population size of 26,587.
Also, before closing, I want to mention to you that I read the GHOST story first thing, after your telling me that I should buy the book to find out what happened. What happened ABSOLUTELY MADE MY HAIR STAND ON END!!! No wonder that you did what you did afterward. I might have considered moving out!
We were just talking about that particular ghost – John our Castle manager has felt him since but he seems a little less here!
Thank you for sharing all this. You will have a beautiful Christmas tree and decorations !!! I love to decorate my tree and I will start in a few days. How would I also want to see your Christmas table !! I will wait you to post some photos!
God bless you!
As my dear wife is a direct descendent of Charles Dickens, (it is her middle name) how we’d especially love seeing the castle’s Christmas decorations this year! We wish you your family, and all there a very Happy, blessed Christmas!
Dear Lady Carnarvon
I love your Monday morning news. We visited your beautiful Castle last May, and loved every minute of our tour. I can’t wait to see your pictures after the Castle is decorated. The Castle will be magical.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas season.
Virginia from Canada
Thank you
Hello Lady Carnarvon,
What a wonderful blog entry today! Christmas is my favorite time of year. If I could be granted one wish, it would be to spend Christmas in England and visit Highclere for all of the festivities. This year on December 16, I will be celebrating my 70th Birthday. I had hoped we could make the dream of spending Christmas in England/Highclere a part of my birthday. But it is not in the budget this year.
I was a florist for 40 years. Decorating is in my blood. I would volunteer to help deck the halls of Highclere!!! What a wonderful experience it would be. I can close my eyes and see it…
I have requested your book for Christmas! I sure hope ‘Santa’ listens!!!
Are Christmas Cookies a tradition in England? It is a big part of Christmas preparation here. My Mom was a good cook. She baked many varieties of cookies, and my Sweet WWII veteran Daddy made Fudge! It was so special.
I look forward to pictures of the decorations at Highclere.
Thank you so much.
L. Sue Smith
Englewood, Florida
P.S.
We put lights on our Palm Trees as well!!!
We do make and ice gingerbread, which is quite like a cookie but otherwise mince pies are really our sweet Christmas treat.
We here in Florida love your blog. I have been praying for your hearts to find healing after the last one. Maybe the Christmas season will lift everyone’s spirits there. God bless you all. Loved the pictures too. Jennifer in Clermont Florida
Interesting view of the back of the castle, I presume, in the picture of your soggy elves! Sally sounds like she has the decorating under control!
Sally is an absolute star – she has been planning this all for months.
Hope you share the pictures with us when this wonderful group finish decorating your beautiful home.
I will – it will take a few more days yet.
Will you post some pictures later after all is decorated? I will never get to come for myself. I do not travel by plane. Your place is just magnificent!
I will – it will be a few more days yet as we have 79 to decorate.
Thank you for the Monday posting about the excitement at Highclere and the decorating plan. I must admit that 8500+ “baubles” leaves me gobsmacked. It appears to be delightful! What a talented team.
Highclere is on my 2020 list to visit. I also received a copy of “Lady Almina”; quite a surprise after all this time.
This year has been a challenge with my mother’s death and the recent flooding. My house was 6″ away from having water in it. Therefore, my New Year’s Resolution is to visit places earlier than originally planned and enjoy! Highclere is definitely on the list. The postings by Karine (Viking representative) enticed me to begin the process.
Plus, I’ll visit various friends who live in U.K. What a delightful 2020 to anticipate.
Wishing a fabulous holiday season to everyone at Highclere and on your blog!
Ida
Thank you very much!
Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of year. So looking forward to seeing your photos when the decorating is complete! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
How lovely to share the build up of your Christmas preparations. The excitement and atmosphere must be amazing. Pass me the glitter, I’ll come and sparkle with you
Thank you so much for sharing!! The Christmas pictures are always so fun to see!!
I love it! Christmas is already here with me as I’m enjoying your Christmas book I ordered for my birthday. I love how you explain all the goings ons with Sally and love the pictures of the guys holding all those bulbs! We too celebrate with “Ugly Xmas Sweater” night, its so fun to add the competition to the spirit – Happy Christmas and the tree looks stunning!!!
Thank you
Just breathtaking! I am now feeling quite inspired to begin glittering here across the pond…
Thank you for sharing!
“Behind the Scenes at Highclere” could be your next book! Of course, Christmas would be the focus, but seeing the preparation and then the results of every holiday and event for which you decorate would be of GREAT interest to me: please note another potential sale!! Including pictures of the conservation of tapestries, who works to maintain the silver, the joiners making sure all the priceless pieces are in repair, and I am sure there are many more “behind the scenes” candidates.
I know that this Highclere and Downton fanatic would just love a peek into how this magnificent structure is decorated and maintained.
Some of those stories are actually in “At Home at Highclere”
Also, please give me the correct way of addressing an envelope and then the inside salutation that is proper for you. The Dowager Duchess cannot see anything on the entry table or silver trays that is not proper etiquette! There are enough challenges to her world view already! All hail the Dowager Duchess!
Countess of Carnarvon on an envelope if you wish!
Such a beautiful site. A lot of work for you all but once done it is just magical. Thanks for all your wonderful blogs over the year. I visited Highclere in 2017 and loved it. Really love hearing your stories about the Castle and your life in it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to your family and staff.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Christmas time is so magical and I will look forward to seeing all of your trees and other decorations around the house and property finally completed. I have just this morning handed my husband my “Christmas list” and the first item is your book “ Christmas at Highclere”. The second wish is to visit this year but I haven’t told him that one as it is all a matter of timing! I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Have a wonderful Christmas season and I hope all of your functions are a smashing success!
Diana Squibb
Delray Beach, Florida
Thank you!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reading your blogs! Thank you for sharing your Christmas decorating journey with us! That tree in the main hall is GORGEOUS! I love that you make it festive for everyone who works there, including dressing in the Christmas jumper (here we call that an “Ugly Christmas Sweater”). I also love that everyone pitches in to help!
The Downtown Abbey Exhibit is on display at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC which is not far from us. We hope to make it there soon.
Happy Thanksgiving Week!
Libra
Would have loved to cross the pond and help with this magic endeavor. Maybe one day I’ll see Christmas in England.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for writing about the Christmas preparations. My husband and I are touring Highclere on December 4th with my daughter, her husband and our two grandchildren. We were at Highclere last year and very excited to tour with our family during the Christmas season. My seven year old is quite excited about the Egyptian exhibit!
Best wishes;
Lauretta McMillen
Staten Island, New York
Wonderful – the Egyptian exhibition is fun for children
Holy Moly 79 trees and 8,500 baubles!!! It must look amazing once she’s done her magic. Of course, Sally will need an extended vacation after she puts all of those items away. We’re just about to celebrate Thanksgiving here in the States, but Christmas will be here before we know it. Can’t wait to see pics of Highclere completely decorated.
No holiday quite yet for Sally – perhaps a large Gin and tonic !!!
Hello,
Beautiful post! I wish that someday, I might visit, Christmas time would be magical.
Merry Christmas to you, your family and to the Highclere Staff
Devonnee Villegas
San Diego, California
USA
It looks so much like the tree at Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. 30 Miles from our house.
Your post helps to enhance the fabulous Highclere Christmas book. Have purchased five for gifts and have read mine cover to cover You make Christmas come alive!
You are wonderful – thank you – I could send you some book signed book plates to fix in your books? They just peel off..
What a beautiful magical place. I would love to experience the Holidays there. Maybe someday I can visit. Happiest of Holidays to you and Yours.
I love Christmas prepping at Highclere – it is an amazing process to witness, even via your yearly blog stores, Lady Carnarvon! Thank you for all the great pictures of the people involved – I love the sweater contest pic in front of the fireplace with the glowing Rudolph nose shining the way (as a very stern ‘no photos’ placard stares at the camera behind the group… lol!).
I hope everyone has a moment or two to catch their breath and enjoy the beauty that is being created by all those helping hands. All the best to everyone as you work to plow through setting up and placing all those trees, garland, baubles, and wreaths. It will be spectacular.
I see from other replies that you’ll be posting more pics as you get a chance – thank you! And if you could mention where the tallest, biggest ‘boss tree’ was sourced from too, that would be wonderful to hear. Happy Holidays to you all.
We source the trees from a local Christmas tree business, so they are cut down 2 or 3 days before they begin to be put in place
How beautiful the decorations look. The tree is magnificent! Do you get your trees from the estate?
Wishing you, your husband, the pups and everyone at Highclere a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you!♥️
Lady Carnarvon it’s great to read but what an enormous amount of work this is.
I am feeling quite tired just now – taken my shoes off!
I loved this blog post!!
And the best place to find really eccentric (as in, really dreadful) Christmas jumpers? Across the Pond, of course. Nothing like a sparkly unicorn with pom pons, dressed up like a reindeer. I wish I was joking 🙂
I am in amazement at the coordination in which your staff conduct the care and decorating of Highclere Castle. Visiting Highclere Castle is definitely on my bucket list. My mom, my daughter and I read your blog messages together. As Downton Abbey fans we love reading about all the events that take place there. Not just the glittering and fancy ones but the Sheds was a funny post. We are saving and getting our passports in order to visit your magnificent home.
Thank you very much!
Dickens, Christmas and Highclere – Can it get any better?
Many prefer the Bard(including my wife), but Charles Dickens will always be my favorite. One trip to London I was fortunate to visit his home that now houses a museum, where I purchased a bust of himself which now resides on my desk. A memorable day.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I just want to thank you for sharing pieces of your life with us.
Your Blog, Books, & Documentaries are very interesting and entertaining.
I have added visiting Highclere onto my bucket list.
I was wondering if you would ever consider making a documentary for PBS, about the transformation of Highclere for Christmas?
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Melissa
I think it would be fun!
Thank you for such a loving,
Generous sharing of preparations for Christmas. Looking forward to seeing the finished work.
Gratefully,
Marguerite Lynch
What a spectacular home and decorating job you’ve all done! I loved visiting your home this past June and thoroughly enjoyed hearing you greet us all at the start of the tour, then later speaking to you in person in your gift shop! (I’d gone in to compliment your staff on their good nature, knowledgeable answers, efficient work with the bombardment of us tourists, all done with sunny smiles!) After reading your fabulous books about your family, which I fully enjoyed, I was beyond thrilled to meet such an engaging author! I love your writing so much that I pre-ordered your Christmas book and have already read it twice! Your scone recipes, the Christmas Quiche, and the Boxing Day beef stew are my favorites thus far! Lady Carnarvon, you just FEEL like you’d be such a loyal, good friend to have! Congratulations to you all on your many successes!
Many blessings and good wishes to you all,
Joanne Curran
P.S. If you ever need a retired teacher with lots of energy and positivity to do ANYTHING at all for you at Highclere, I’m your gal! Free all summer, every summer! 🙂
You are the kindest!
Oh it is all so beautiful and looks like SOOOO much fun. I love the Christmas jumpers too! Please give adorable little Muffet a sweet boop on nose for me, lol. I wish I were blessed enough to be a part of this experience every year. I can hardly wait to see the rest of the pictures when it is complete. It all seems so magical. Have the merriest of holidays and thank you so much for sharing!
My daughter Joy and I enjoyed a wonderful visit to Highclere last Saturday. From the Behind the Scenes talk, the tour of the Castle and the Egyptian Exhibition, to a delicious festive Afternoon Tea, every moment was one to treasure. And what a wonderful ‘Family’ – everyone who works and lives there. Sorry we missed the tree but we can now enjoy that through your blog. Can’t wait to lose myself in your book when I have time to savour it. Thank You (and hope to see you again next year!).
Thank you very much
Hello Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and photographs of Christmas at the Castle! We were very fortunate to visit Highclere this past May with dear friends that live in Southampton! What a magnificent place! Your writings are so inspirational about life in and around Highclere you actually feel you are there with you!
The Downton Abbey series was my favorite! Also the movie was amazing to see after visiting Highclere!
Thank you for all you do to keep the magic of Highclere alive,
Donna Grigas
Copley,Ohio USA
Charming, just charming. I am feeling very festive now. ❤️
Dear Lady Carnarvon.
There is so much joy and happiness in the pictures of the castle. I always feel like a little boy reading your blogs, looking forward, not only to the stories and information, but the photos. I have always been a “picture-kind-of-guy”. My late Grandfather instilled a very, very vast love of Estates, old buildings and European (mostly British) pride in me since I have been a child. He always said : “I cannot care two hoots if we have been in South Africa for 4 generations, we are and always will be British. Proudly. We have an obligation to the Crown through heritage and that is that”… No one used to argue, but most of the children always thought he was being silly or bombastically arrogant. Yet I loved it. And in the photo’s of Highclere, especially over Christmas, in a strange way I see my grandfather’s heart. The reason behind the why he was the way he was and why I loved him, and his proud of lineage and duty towards the Crown and Britain.
May your hearts be happy, your memories vivid and the love of God and Christ fill your family and the Castle with abundance.
Much love from a VERY hot and dry Kimberley, South Africa
Sometime life’s events during the year makes it hard to get into the Christmas spirit as this year has been for us. But looking at your post has helped bring the joy and hope of the holiday season back to our home and hearts. We can’t thank you enough.
Brenda Watson
Kuna, Idaho USA
Oh my goodness – I love every picture and every word. I dream of being there to help lol. Seriously, the excitement is already in the air for Christmas especially when I saw the final tree decorated. LOVELY is all I can say – I am so happy for you and your staff that you are surrounded by these beautiful trees and this castle! JOY TO THE WORLD is how I feel about you sharing all you do. MERRY AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!
would love to go on a Christmas tour
Plan one for next year – do you follow instagram highclere_castle???
Watching the delightful Mary Berry, I have somehow wandered to your charming blog. The history, details, and humor you bring to the page (screen, I suppose!) will bring me back.
Thank you