Standing on the stairs in the Saloon, giving a short introduction to various tour groups, whether about history, heritage or filming, I often ask if anyone has any questions. This is, of course, the fun bit and the questions can vary tremendously. However, one of the more frequent ones is; what is it like living with a film crew?
Well – where to start? After some thought over my morning tea, I have come up with the following:
The puppies eating the boards.
There are masses of mats from Corex to boards,
trolleys and dollies which arrive in their hordes,
Large lights on silver stilts with tennis ball feet
And black wires snaking (though really quite neat)
To screens and decks with knobs everywhere,
Monitors with cases hold equipment with care.
Crew in black trousers, black boots, padded coats,
and stuff everywhere, despite our organizing notes.
Small white vans, large white vans and various trailers
filled to the brim with costumes to tailor.
Cars and buses from breakfast to tea.
Tables and bins where my Labradors can see
friendly faces and little somethings to nibble
which they far prefer to their designated kibble.
‘Sparky’ from Locations asks John G for a word,
the details and boundaries can get a bit blurred.
Can they start early? Stay late? Change a date? Have a tea?
John’s heard it before, grins and suggests a fee.
Sparky and John G
Shooting has started – calls for silence and “turning”
the technical terms we are all learning
We try to walk silently on our tiptoes
Whilst actors and actresses practice their pose.
It’s fun and exciting, frenetic, nail-biting
chaos that’s miraculously eventually self-righting.
From Highclere’s scenes to the silver screen
our honey-coloured home and the lawns have been
life enhancing at all times from darkness to dawn.
For so many fans when and wherever born
let’s hope the film catches your hearts for the past
and for the present with this wonderful cast.
As you can see, poetry may not entirely be my absolute forte but there is nothing quite like sitting in silence waiting, whilst cameras are rolling, to cause my mind to start turning. Some of the Autumn days have been utterly beautiful as has the energy and I hope that next September millions of people might enjoy going to the cinema to see our Autumn at Downton.
Instagram
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
CHAMPAGNE! CHAMPAGNE MYLADY CHAMPAGNE! LOVELY LOVELY NEWS FROM HIGHCLERE CASTLE. THANK YOU FOR US.
MARIA AUGUSTA PINHEIRO RIO CLARO SP BRAZIL
What is the marble statue of a boy and girl by the staircase?
It is a charming Italian marble statue of my husband’s ancestor Henry, later the 4th Earl of Carnarvon, and his sister Eveline sculpted by Tenerani in 1838.
Was at your home in 2013 and it was beautiful then and can’t wait to see it in the cinema. Please remember to give us details when the time grows closer. Always enjoy your posts. Thank you!
They have announced that UK premiere will be on 13th September and the US premiere is on 20th September 2019.
Ich danke Ihnen für die schönen Worte. Es ist eine aufregende Zeit….ich wäre so gerne dabei ❤ Warte auf weitere Berichte….Ihre Sylvia aus Berlin Germany
Danke Sylvia – es ist sehr aufregend und macht viel Spaß.
Good evening Lady Carnarvon,
I have never made a blog post, but I am so excited that I was told about yours. I am a big fan of Downton Abbey and I am coming in September and wanted to know about tours the week of September 9th.
Thank you,
Katrice
Thank you for joining this “world” – We have our big event on the weekend of the 7th and 8th September but may well be able to shake ourselves down and pick ourselves up to offer a special guided tour on the Wednesday of that week – the 11th.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
To what extent does the film crew damage, tear up, repair anything in the process of so many people traipsing over your property ? I have to know.
We are all extremely careful and treat the Castle with enormous respect. We have our own staff on hand to move anything delicate and we all work together to protect the Castle as much as possible.
How fun and fantastic. Such a poet too! What a privilege it is to be able to read your blogs and sneak a peak into the life of this beautiful home and Castle.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you Trish – you are too kind.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Good Morning to all in the Castle !
Seeing ALL of that wire just laying around, not knowing where it is coming from, or going to, ALL I can say is, If it starts to rain today, I hope that the roof don’t leak!
I think,, that I would much rather gaze on the beautiful warmth of the colors from your forest, and listen to the leaves blow around in the night, to me, that is a very soothing way to enjoy the Fall season.
Thanks for knocking on my door, and rest assure that every time you do My Lady, I will always bring to your a warm, hearty greeting1
Fond Regards,
John l. Roberts
P.O. box 1491
Amherst, N.Y. U.S.A
Thankfully our roof is up to the task of keeping out the notorious British weather.
Hope you laugh over this…I sure did!! On your website under your name is a tab called “Menu”. I instantly thought it was going to be a listing of your Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner……Too funny!!
From New York, I had the very good fortune to visit your beautiful home this past July. I wanted to know, what was the ceiling height in the rooms we went through? Thank you for welcoming us into your home.
The Saloon ceiling is 51 feet tall.
What fun! I know the “nail-biting,” whether over the chaos or the movie folks getting everything just right, is worth it in the end, for the opportunity to display your home on the big screen for all of us Downtown and Highclere fans to delight in. Hope it all goes well.
I so loved that poem ,I’m sure there must be times when you wish hundreds of folk were not invading your beautiful home but gosh it all sounds fun !
I look forward to seeing the film and am so pleased I was able to visit this Autumn shame the trees had not really got those wonderful colours in early September !
I didn’t get my opportunity to hide in the bushes so I will just have to imagine all the chaos, excitement and delicious work/fun you are portraying. We may very well be in your neighbourhood for the premiere!!
Will you have the pleasure of being an extra in the Downton Abbey movie? Where do all the people who are in the movie and the the film crew reside during filming?
The crew stay locally but most of the actors come by car each day as we are only an hour from London.
Hello from Canada. Well done with the poetry! You gave me my morning smile. We are looking forwarding to our visit on October 27. I just recently learned that an important moment in Canada’s history happened at Highclere . The British North America Act of 1867 was drafted at Highclere . This led to Canada becoming a country that same year. I believe our first Prime Minister, John A Macdonald ,as well as George-Etienne Cartier and Alexander Tilloch Galt also stayed at Highclere. The BNA was a very big moment in Canada’s history. See you soon.
It was such an important moment in Canada’s and in Highclere’s history too. There is more information about this onmy blog here https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/community/highclere-and-canada/
I have always been fascinated by the sometimes-crazy chaos of filming. Thank you for your take on dealing with it in your home. I imagine your feelings (and those of your family and staff) during the process run the full gamut! I hope it is mostly an enjoyable experience when the film horde invades. 😀
I am looking forward to the release of the film over here in the US next year. Cheers and have a wonderful week.
Best regards,
Natalie
Summerville, SC
Thank you
I find myself enjoying the process even more than the finished product! Behind-the-scenes exposure just leaves you in amazement of the work necessary to make everything seem so seamless.
Everyone works incredibly hard – but I am sure the end result will be worth it.
Dear lady Carnarvon
That’s a poem well versed! You describe the goings on of shooting a film with all the magic, frenzy and anticipation that it deserves. I work as an Animal Wrangler (animal handler) for TV and film and I just love it. It’s always a challange and always different. I see there’s always a dog ( and sometimes horses) present on the Downton series so I assume there’s a wrangler present at Highclere as well. Your home is a wonderful location for the series and adds such substance.
All the best,
Jenny
There are animals and handlers involved in filming and sometimes our own puppies need wrangling too!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I really enjoyed the poem, it did answer alot of questions about what it’s like to be in your shoes during filming!
Very good.
I’m excited about the upcoming movie, though it seems like such a long time to wait!
Have a fantastic Autumn!
Thank you!
What a wonderful poem and glimpse into the life you lead while filming occurs. Thank you for sharing and I hope to visit some day to enjoy the magnificent beauty in person.
Sarah Kary
Billings, Montana; USA
We’d love to welcome you to Highclere.
Your latest blog about the filming is so exciting, the next best thing to being there!
And I love the photos of autumn foliage, even more colorful than we saw in New Hampshire last week. I can hardly wait for the movie to come out, but until then I will be content to watch the dvds!.
More puppy photos please ♂️
If they would stay still for 30 seconds I shall endeavour to comply with your request!
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
I am so excited to see that filming is underway yet again at Highclere Castle, and I anxiously look forward to seeing the movie when it comes out. I am also enjoying your blog immensely, and the glimpses of life at Highclere it gives us. Thank you for sharing these. I particularly love seeing your beautiful puppies! I have two Bichons Frisées because my husband is allergic to other dogs unfortunately.
Thank you. Dogs are the most wonderful companions and give back more than we ever give them.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I read your “ode to living with a film crew” with a broad smile and a hearty chuckle. Well done.
You poem and the hive of activity at Highclere reminded me of Ogden Nash’s “The People Upstairs”:
The people upstairs all practise ballet
Their living room is a bowling alley
Their bedroom is full of conducted tours.
Their radio is louder than yours,
They celebrate week-ends all the week.
When they take a shower, your ceilings leak.
They try to get their parties to mix
By supplying their guests with Pogo sticks,
And when their fun at last abates,
They go to the bathroom on roller skates.
I might love the people upstairs more
If only they lived on another floor.
By the way, when is the filming scheduled to be completed at Highclere? It’s amazing how “release dates” can be arranged so far in advance of not just a movie being edited but even before the filming has been completed.
A question: Is there a member of the film crew who has the task of ensuring no “wardrobe mistakes” such as a member of cast being filmed whilst wearing a digital watch, Fitbit or something that only came into existence many decades after the period when the film was set?
Enjoy the chaos. You and your staff seem to stoically thrive in it!
Best wishes,
Jeffery Sewell
Thank you – that is a super poem, and very apt. Our Downton friends will be here for a little while yet. There are wardrobe mistresses and historical experts to help ensure no anachronisms appear on camera.
It is all so very exciting! Your poetry is too cute. Looking forward to the next post.
You are too kind!
I absolutely love the poem! So fun to read! I’ve visited your beautiful home in May of this year. I was hoping to go back to be an extra in the film. But I don’t have the credentials to work in the UK. I’m anxiously awaiting the Downton Abbey movie and seeing your beautiful home on the silver screen! All of us hard-core Downton fans must praise and thank you for allowing the crew and chaos the use of your home. Without it there would be no Downton Abbey movie! I eagerly await the final result!!! Thank You!!!!!
Highcleare is always lovley in the autum is the monkey tree still near the cricket ground x
It is
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Oh my goodness- I love your poem! In my mind I was trying to fit it to “ raindrops on roses & whiskers on kittens” – “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music! The film crews and their clutter may not be favorites, but your wonderful poem sort of had a similar cadence. I’m so looking forward to the film and thank you for the photos of the absolutely gorgeous autumn colors. I have visited your magnificent home in the spring and summer and now Fall is on the list!
Many thanks again, and enjoy this beautiful season.
Best regards,
Charlotte Cole
It is a lovely season – misty today but I am hoping for sun and a ride later this week!
We were lucky to visit your beautiful home yesterday, guided by the wonderful Karin. Thank you so much for opening your house to both visitors and the film crew. I look forward to the new film!
All the best
Inger, Norway
Thank you!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Hello from Canada! Thank you so much for your interesting blogs. I am curious to know if the Red Maple tree which was planted on the grounds to commemorate the John A. Macdonald Day, January 11th, has changed its colour yet and will it be shown in the movie?
Best Wishes,
Doreen Hayes
Edmonton, Canada
It has not yet changed colour but it is doing well and I hope it might be in the film – you never know!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I could almost burst into tears with every one of your posts. I know I will if I am ever lucky enough to be standing in your saloon. Downton Abbey holds a special place for me with my mother-in-law. She passed before the 4th season aired in the U.S. but we spent countless hours re-watching the first three seasons and speculating what was going to happen next. I can’t thank you enough for opening your home to the show, and blogging about what REAL life is like at Highclere. Such a beautiful home and you and your husband are great stewards of your corner of the English countryside.
Best Regards,
Stephanie Hinchliff
Dear LADY CARNARVON,
Enjoyed your blog so much today especially since I can relate to it somewhat. My daughter is a stand in actor on all the local shows here in Chicago.When she visits she always has stories to tell us about “behind the scenes “. I think it’s fascinating and I’m sure you feel the same when you see all the goings on, she says I should try it but I don’t think I could handle the long hours she puts it.
We are planning on a trip to your beautiful home sometime in the near future. When is the best time to come for a tour and tour of your gardens also?
Thank you for letting us in your home weekly through your blogs.They are always so interesting and fun. Do continue them.
Good morning from Illinois,
This was my first blog of yours to read. Enjoyed it tremendously. Enjoy the series very much and will, no doubt, enjoy the movie too!! My sister and I are planning our next trip to the UK for next September and includes coming to Highclere. So looking forward to it. Have a wonderful day.
Lisa Cosgrove
Thank you
Do take in the archives posts. Lady Carnarvon blesses me with each one. I’m certain she will you as well.
Lady C, a delightful poem! I have loved Downton from the very start. I have a visit on my bucket list, near the top. Today I am enjoying the comforts of a Viking ocean cruise and wondered if you have experienced one? Perhaps you and your pal Karine Hagen? It’s a wonderful thing!
I went on an ocean cruise from Venice to Athens and loved it – quiet corners on the ship to read and have coffee, I loved the ports we stopped in and of course there was a great spa on board!!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am sitting here in the rain in Ohio babysitting for my grandchildren while my daughter in law is just a few miles away in Guildford at a family wedding. How I wished there had been time for her to go see Highclere! She was so close! Maybe some day I will get there too.
Your poem was marvelous. My mother was English and very good at making up wonderful verses very quickly. It must be a common trait for you British ladies!
I, too, am eagerly waiting to see the film. You certainly have given us months of joy just reading your blogs about Highclere.
Love,
Diana Squibb
South Florida
Thank you for sharing your clever writing. It is always inspiring, fresh and productive. Wonderful for the property blooms under the family’s multi-talented great artistic and philosophically enquiring skill tradition. Thanks.
Thank you!!
Sounds exciting and at the same time terrifying having the crew moving around precious objects. The puppies are growing and look adorable. I belong to the British Period Drama group in Facebook and asked them if they knew about the Downton Abbey upcoming film, and I got 120 responses about how much they are looking forward to seeing the film. I posted that I visited Highclere this year and they were very excited to learn about my visit.
Thank you – please do share this blog with them!
I did and so far thirty people enjoyed reading about your blog.
Amazing thank you!
Autumn followed by 3 more seasons I hope?!
That would be nice
Oooooh I know firsthand what a film crew can bring out! My husband was a grip (lighting etc) and they have so much equipment! Looking so forward to the movie – miss all of the characters. Love how the Doggies are right in the midst of everything – HA! Thank you for the beautiful pics of the Fall – my FAVORITE time of year…..and most of all thank you for YOU!!!
Thw puppies really liked the MDF boards – de stressing time for the crew too
Can’t wait for the movie to come out. Do you know what year they’re starting at can you give a hint?
I cannot !
Hope they are inviting you to the Premiere? !!
No idea! It is some time away
What a interesting experience!
I hope visit the castle some day…
What a fun poem!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I absolutely love hosting dinner parties, but I’m always especially grateful to have the house back to myself after the guests leave. I imagine you feel something similar (perhaps to a much greater degree!) with a film crew!
Highclere is truly one of the principal characters of the series, without ever uttering a single word. I wonder, have the creators or directors ever had an idea that the Castle simply had to “say no” to? I’m assuming Julian Fellowes never dreamed up something as crazy as a water balloon fight in the Saloon between the Crawley sisters, but it would be interesting to know how the Castle’s “needs” have shaped how we see Downton on the screen.
We do sometimes suggest they think again..
Thank you for the continued narrative and accompanying photos that you provide, which gives us such a glimpse into your lovely home and life. I am curious, are your children intimidated or excited at the prospect of running such a grand estate some day?
Kathleen McLendon
They are just trying to figure their own lives … God willing we are here for some time yet!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I thought your poem was quite lovely and aptly described your life behind the scenes and among the miles of cables and wires. Bless you.
I cannot wait to see Highclere in her autumn colors. I’ve marked the date for the US premiere of the Downton Abbey movie and will anxiously await its showing.
All the best,
Theresa
Absolutely can’t wait for the film next year, it must be so exciting (and a little disruptive!) to be there whilst all the chaos of filming is going on around you. Great poem!
You are toooo generous !!!
I thought your poem was lovely! Gives the reader a pretty good picture of life with a film crew!
Lynn Faircloth
Many blessings… Been there done that… not much fun. Interesting but tiring and disruptive. My five year old bit one of the grips…he ( the grip) was a bit forward. The crew laughed…fortunately. I hope you get the house to yourself soon ! Love from France where the weather has been heavenly and the leaves have only just begun to fall.
We visited this August with my parents, they had the fantastic Hughclere Afternoon Tea and we all came for the Battle Proms a couple of days later. The spitfire to Elgar’s Nimrod was particularly brilliant as it flew in front of the sun and behind the castle!
We now wait for September 2019……
The Proms is a lovely evening and will be back on the evening of Saturday August 3rd 2019
Thank you for another engaging blog, with wonderful photos! The Autumn colors are glorious.
I’m curious, do your Labs get to interact with the Crawley’s Lab? Can you tell I LOVE Labs!!!???
Waving from Virginia,
Shelley and Princess the black Lab
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Those autumn pictures are so spectacular. I always have photos of Highclere in my tablet. I am anxious about the movie. I watch the series everytime. It is brilliant.
Sending you greetings from Pennsylvania, USA. I have loved the series since the beginning, and I have to say the opening view of Highclere was always a special moment. We have lots of family in England, and we’re not able to book a visit to Highclere until this past August. The day was delightful, and we hated to leave. Thank you for sharing your home with us. God bless.
Thank you for coming here!
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for your wonderful Blog and for sharing your beautiful home with us I usually watch some part of Downton every day (An addiction I guess) and I am beginning to feel like it is home I do hope some day I get the chance to actually visit you Hello from Windsor Canada
Thank you for your interesting blogs Lady Carnarvon. I love reading them and look forward to the film coming out. I was lucky enough to visit Highclere in September and loved looking around the castle. Highclere Castle becoming a Hospital in WW1 is of particular interest as during Family research about an ancestor nurse I came across the address used when she was awarded a medal.
Thank you. It is remarkable what those nurses accomplished during WWI with very few resources – they were truly dedicated.
Meant to also mention I am currently reading ‘Lady Almina And The Real Downton Abbey’. I am enjoying such a lot, thank you,
Thank you. She was an amazing woman.
Good Morning and Good Evening to you Lady Carnarvon.
Thank you always for your words. You thoughts and impressions of life and “Downton” are always enjoyable. Hope you’re enjoying the “Crawley’s visit” back in your home. We can’t wait until next September to enjoy it here in our home.
Best wishes to you and your family always.
YOUR TRULY ARE A FABULOUS AND CREATIVE POET.
I REALLY LOVED IT,
SHIRLEY SLOOP
VISITER OCTOBER 2015
LOVED THATR FALL.
Thank you for the poem and short description of life with a movie crew. I’m sure it must be fascinating. Thank you for allowing your lives and your home to be a bit “overtaken” so that the DA movie can be filmed. We all absolutely LOVED Downton Abbey the series and are so looking forward to the movie. It was quite interesting to talk with one of the room guides when I was there with my mom in 2016. She told us how careful the crew usually is and how she and others were there to help maintain the integrity of the castle. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home/grounds with the world!
Thank you. The whole team here works closely with the crew to make sure there are no mishaps.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Once again you have painted such a beautiful picture of all the activities in and around Highclere, it’s easy to ‘see’ what is happening with all the hustle and bustle of activity inside and out. You have a wonderful gift for prose, and I enjoyed reading about the activities in that form. By the way, my pup would’ve done the same thing if given the same chance. They are playful, need to run, but love attention. Beautiful dogs!
Question for you, if I may. A while back you mentioned a hymn you sing in church and I have searched every resource I have to no avail. Maybe you can help me. I play the piano and the organ, and thought it would be nice to have that piece of music. I know you are terribly busy, so maybe one of your staff could help.
Thank you So Much.
Regards, Jane Hrabak
Thank you Jane, the puppies are heaven!
We sing a variety of hymns in Church based on the time of year and I have several favourites – do you perhaps remember the name?
What beautiful autumn colors! And thank you for such an enjoyable poem, being joyful amongst the chaos of filming. It is so exciting to know that Downton will be on the big screen by 2019, now here’s hoping they can get their well deserved Academy Awards , and Highclere Castle should establish an Oscar for “Best Location”! May you stay patient with the film crew and all their antics, and many thanks for opening your home so we may enjoy more “Downton”!
Thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I believe the hymn I was referring to was called “Hymn of the Hampshire”, and I’m hoping That is correct. It was mentioned, I believe, in a blog where you were discussing a Favorite Series, and it is definitely one of mine, also,
Father Brown.
I am a pianist, and organist, and can’t for the life of me locate that music.
I’m sorry to bother you, but maybe an Author would at least set me in the right direction.
Enjoy Fall in Highclere! Regards, Jane Hrabak
I can find you the tune for it – is that what you would like?
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much for your latest notes on life while filming occurs at Highclere! We were blessed to be able to visit you in early August. What a dream come true for me and my sweet husband arranged for our visit through Viking. Just when we thought our visit couldn’t have been more perfect, you popped up at the end of the hall as we were peeking into Lady Sybil’s bedroom! Wow what a complete pleasure and extraordinary experience. You couldn’t have been more pleasant. Thank you so much for the generous sharing of your time. It’s a memory for a lifetime. We’d love to come back and explore your beautiful countryside soon.
And I can’t get enough of those labs. We lost our faithful Echo a bit ago. There is nothing like a lab. ❤️
Gratefully,
Donna Stankiewicz
USA
I am so glad you enjoyed your visit with our friends at Viking.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
My sisters and I visited your beautiful home last July and really enjoyed it all. I especially enjoyed the walks around the castle, I love trees!!
Reading the book afterwards I was confused when I saw that in it, was stated the Duke of Buckingham was murdered in Southampton. In Portsmouth there is a blue plaque ( not sure how to spell that!) in Old Portsmouth, in a house, showing he was murdered there? Am I getting confused on which Lord Villiers it was?
Please put me right because it has been bugging me!!
Thank you.
You are quite right – he was assassinated in a pub in Portsmouth!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I just love reading your blog! The poem was BRILLIANT about all the comings and goings of a film crew. You take everything in stride and grace (and probably a lot of patience too). Your castle is one of my very favorites. Can’t wait to see it again someday. Counting the days until the premiere of the movie.
Regards,
Shelly Barlow
You are too kind – thank you.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I had such fun meeting you in September with my Auntie and Cousin. Thank you for your time with us. You are so gracious and kind and I love your pink Tennis shoes! I noticed coming down the staircase that one of the shields was blank. I was not sure why this was. Such History. Love knowing about the marble statue. Thank you for your blog. And the Poem…just fantastic. I had found out a month before visiting you that I will be a grandmother so I had to get the wonderful children’s books. So creative. I hope you will have more adventures for Grandpup Percy! Would it be okay for me to send you the picture we took together? I so enjoyed seeing High Clere Castle, grounds, your Horse, and having Tea! Happy Fall and Bless you!
Thank you. I’d love to see the picture. The shields around the saloon show the crests of all of the Earls and Countesses over the centuries – some are left blank for future generations.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I feel I am a huge pest, but yes, if you can spare the time or instruct someone to do so- the musical melody to “Hymn of the Hampshire” is what I am searching for and would be greatly appreciated. Do you need my address in the States or can you just put it on the computer for me? Either would be super!
By the way, by now I would imagine your Fall colors are quite magnificent. Ours are, and as we watch the farmers harvest quickly before the storms of Winter come, I remember your writings of past Fall blogs. You have many trees, and much responsibility, but always take the time to share.
Thank you so much. It is always appreciated.
Sincerest Regards,
Jane Hrabak
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thanks so much for the poem, gave me a chuckle this morning. It seems no matter what your task you handle it with grace, wit and humor.
Good!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I always enjoy all your writings, I read both your book on Lady Catherine and Lady Almina and read all your blogs since a year and a half now, so thank you for this one!
I always like to hear about your dogs, I imagine it must be a bit exciting to them to all these people.
I was wondering if Lord Grantham’s dogs (he had two over the entire series I think) was ever one of yours? They were the same bread yellow labs no?
Anyway, looking so forward to the new Dowton Abbey movie, for the excellent writing of Julian Fellows, the wonderful actors and for the beautiful sights of Highclere!
Salutations!
Chanta Leblanc
Given that Lord Grantham’s dogs were either lost or died (just in fiction) I am rather glad that our dogs spectated!
For sure!
It was so exciting to open up this blog and see myself and my family smack in the middle of the lobby photo! We enjoyed our visit to Highclere Castle so much a few weeks ago. As huge Downton Abbey fans, we of course came to see the famous rooms and film locations. And I loved reinacting the different scenes in my head as we toured the castle. We were lucky enough to be in one of the small tour groups of about 15-20 people and were struck by the casual and hospitable feel of the home and the staff. We truly felt like we were welcomed guests in your home and not tourists. My favorite moment was chatting unceremoniously with you, Lady Carnarvon, in the cafe courtyard with your new puppies during tea. You graciously took a picture with me, and I felt like I was spending time with a longtime friend. Thank you for opening your home up to the world through Downton Abbey, but more importantly, for allowing us to be a part of your world for just a little while with your sincere and and gracious personality.
Debbie Barnes
Boston, MA
Thank you!
Now we just need one of the cast to read your poem over a video montage of behind the scenes filming. 🙂
Great idea!
I am looking forward to visiting England in late June, for the first time and was hoping to visit the castle, but it doesn’t seem to be available while we are in London. I am such a huge fan of Downton Abbey and I am looking forward to the movie next year. Sounds like I will have to make a return visit in the future.
Keep checking our website as we haven’t released all of our special summer tours yet, you may just be lucky with dates.
Thank you for this wonderful blog so glad to have happened on it. I am visiting London in March and the only tour dates is the weekend before, bummer. Maybe we can just drive by at least and see Highclere from afar. My son ask what I wanted to see on our visit and of course I said Highclere. I have see Downton Abbey over 15 times, in Lady Mary’s word I am bonkers!! I am ready for September in anticipation of what everyone has been up to since we last seen them. All the best.
Doris Broadstreet
Taylor Texas
WE may yet be able to open for an extra tour..
Lady Carnavon,
What a delightful afternoon when I happened upon your website. I just can’t get enough. I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey, your beautiful estate and the wonderful stewardship you have shown. And now…Gin. Aren’t you crafty!!!! Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, you surprised us. Much good luck on your newest endeavor.
Warmly,
Nancy