I am sure you will have read in the newspapers over the last week, of the great fire that is set to blaze through “Downton Abbey” in the opening episode.
We had obviously been aware of this story line when they were filming it here, and careful with what we could achieve here and what could be achieved in Ealing Studios, as Highclere Castle has suffered enough of its own fires.
The first one was 150 years ago in the North Library, if you look closely at the gilded ceiling when you are watching the TV series you will see that it is far less ornate than the main Library.
The second fire I wrote about in the book “Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey”. It happened in the 1930’s, this time in the rooms just above the Library. When the fire broke out the servants were alerted by the night-watchman, Stratford, who would patrol the Castle with his faithful dog. Three bedrooms were gutted and luckily no-one was hurt. There were fire hoses on each floor fed by a hydrant circuit around the gravel of the Castle as well buckets of sand, all of which still remains in place today and you can spot on visits.
The fortunate outcome from the fire was that the insurance monies paid for the electrics in the Castle to be completely overhauled at a grand cost of £130.00 and Lord Carnarvon’s sister, Eve, was able to redecorated those bedrooms in that corner of the Castle.
The threat of fire has always been taken seriously at the Castle and we practise today with the local fire engines and teams. My Nanny (she first came to our family when I was 5 years old) loves to be here if there is a practice. She is straight out to admire the men in uniform!
Exploring the higher floors of the Castle, one of my favourite artefacts to show my friends are the old fire escape chutes. You fixed the metal frame inside the window, then threw the canvas chute down to the lawn where two men had to hold it taut. Then down you went through the fabric held as a tunnel by intermittent metal rings. The secret was to wear thick clothes and keep you elbows in.
Catherine and Porcheys’ niece, Patricia, still regales me with stories of how she and her cousin were made to practise the evacuation. They have all survived….
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Hope there are no ‘real’ fires ever again!
Can you imagine the wild ride down one of those chutes?
Goodness gracious!
It is fairly amazing to think 12 and 13 year olds were sent down the chutes! Patricia is very pragmatic about it and utterly cool, I feel lucky to have met her and she told me so many stories about WW2, life at the Castle, the picnic rides and the ghosts…
I am terribly scared by fire! Never had one at home, either in Belgium, neither in Africa where we were living several years.
At the castle of Chimay (Belgium) they have had several fires and that made them discover interesting decorations… But they do not ask for more disasters now or in the future!
I have read about the fire at Downton but they seem to have moved either to Ealington, or to another castle for that part of the next episode. Luckily.
I follow your blog with passion and interest. Thank you very much.
We were lucky because Almina (the 5th Countess) out in early electricity in 1896 which meant the numbers of oil lamps was much reduced. I try to replace light bulbs on an on -going basis with LED’s as they are cooler and obviously draw 90% less electricity which must be good.
Just signed up to follow your blog. I’m coming for a tour in September and am so excited! I can hardly wait to see the castle!
Fire is the most frighting thing even in our modern times, just think what it was like back 150 years ago where everything would burn, none of the flame retardant stuf we have today, there would also be none of the stuff we have today, Smoke alarms & fire crews that can get here in minutes of a Phone Call.. So when Downton Abbey comes back to our screens we will be shocked & how quickly it takes hold & like in the castle in 1930 Three bedrooms were gutted I bet with in minuets of it starting.. Things are very different today with lights like Lady Carnarvon saying “that the light bulbs are being replaced with LED’s as they are cooler ” Thank you Lady Carnarvon for another 1st Class Blog I too look forward to them 🙂
Lady Carnarvon,
I just wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful information you shared with us in the documentary concerning your most majestic home. I also wanted to impart to you that while my husband and I were watching, I was truly impressed with your formidably lovely style. You are such a beautiful woman, your skin remarkable flawless, your features so perfectly pretty, ( I am an artist…we know these things!) and yet there was not the faintest hint of pretension or conceit to your manner. I am sure that your husband has noted it, but you have so much youth and spirit behind your eyes, that you could capture an audience of your own! There is a term in Italian which I think best addresses these qualities and the combination therein ,, it is referred to as “Sprezzatura”..( I ask you to look it up at your leisure) which is a certain knowledge of perfect manner but with the look of total ease behind it..seemingly unstudied brilliance, which is an absolute draw to everyone! Bravo to you, dear friend, a wonderful example to us all of a most lovely and natural grace! I have yet to actually watch more than a few minutes of “Downton Abbey” ( much to the chagrin of my mother and daughters) but perhaps now I will be inspired upon witnessing what a delightful couple actually live in the NON fiction version of Highclere Castle!
All my Best,
Elisabeth Dreizen
11 Cobb Court
Huntington , N.Y.
I could not imagine riding down in a chute like those. I would not be going in one I would be afraid that I would fall through the chute and get seriously injured, so my answer is no way.
thanks for sharing the stories about the castle. it’s great to know the history of such an amazing place.
Thank goodness it was not a real fire. I have viewed the special on Highclere Castle on Netflix and enjoyed it very much. I am also an avid Downton Abbey fan and have enjoyed seeing the highlights of Highclere Castle.
My wife and I are going to be in the UK (primarily London) on vacation, arriving on September 30 and departing on October 13, 2014. I understand it is past the normal tourist season so we will not be able to visit Highclere Castle, but we would really love to have a short visit if it were at all possible.
Dear Mrs. Catherine countess of Canarvon, I am Reading your book about Highclerecastle and the familiy who lived there for so long a time. I admire the Canarvon familiy and the way they hold the castle alive for next generations. But above all I admire you for the magnificent way you described the Canarvon Story . The book is before on the table and I thank for it. With warm regards. Map van den Heuvel.
My partner and I had a wonderful day at Highclere. The house seemed some what smaller than is represented on tv, but is just as beautiful. When you look back at pictures taken you can see how the camera can lie. After visiting your home we decided to join the National Trust and visit other houses too. I hope that it never sees the lick of a flame above and beyond a fireplace or the kitchen.
Regards
Mark and John
I live in a 1930 built house and some of the wiring dates back to the house being built and at the moment we having to whole house rewired
As someone who is accident prone, I would not have liked to tempt fate with one of those fire shoots! However, I am with your nanny. I would be right alongside her when admiring all the uniforms during any practices.
Thank you so much for the post! I love architecture and am always interested to learn details of such historical places as Highclere. Look forward to reading more.
A chute like that sounds so different than anything we know today! Fire is scary no matter what era in which it occurs. I’m relieved to hear the fire scenes are at least partially at the studios and not your home!
What a joyous treat ITV and Fiona Carnarvon have given me through the Downton Abbey series. I got started late so had to check out the DVDs from the library but once I started – Series 3 – I haven’t missed a minute since I started. Now I wait so longingly for Series 5 to start in a few months.
I hope to take a trip to England around the end of July 2015 and plan to visit Highclere, as well as have tea there.
I am excited about this. I have read Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, and several other books about the time. I also have the Highclere Castle DVD. I know I need “to get a life” but I am enhralled with my fantasy life at the Abbey.
Perhaps, you could explain something to me: I believe that “Downton is the name of the town, and the name of the home (abbey). I know that Crawley is the last name of Robert, Cora, et al. What I don’t know, is what is “Grantham” since Robert is Lord Grantham.
With much thanks for a lovely TV opportunity.
Sincerely,
Shirley Taylor
Hello Fiona,
I am a Belgian and I make questions for quizzes. I like historical films and TV series very much.
I have this question about Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle. I would like to know if there has been an episode of “Downton Abbey” in which is referred to the funding for and finding the grave of King Tut ?
If so, in which episode would that have been ? Thank you for the reply and I greet you sincerely,
Karina Claes
ANTHONY LANGDOWN – FIRE CONSULTANT
23 December 2019
I recall attending a small fire in the Castle library in about 1952/3 which I believe was caused by a faulty electrical standard lamp.
At that time I was a retained fire fighter at Andover, Hampshire Fire Service.
How amazing ! The fire services come and practise here and it is delight to see them