Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

"In many ways Highclere Castle epitomized the confidence and glamour of the Edwardian period in the first few years of the twentieth century. Visitor books record the house parties full of politicians, technological innovators, Egyptologists, aviators and soldiers.
During the First World War, Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, transformed the Castle into a hospital, and patients began to arrive from Flanders in September 1914. She became an adept nurse and a skilled healer and hundreds of letters from patients and their families bear testament to her untiring work and spirit of generosity.
The Castle returned to a private home and in 1922 the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen, the first global world media event.
Following the death of the 5th Earl, his son, who then became the 6th Earl, returned to Highclere where he lived until 1986. During the Second World War, the Castle briefly became a home for evacuee children from north London."                                (Taken from the book on Highclere history)

I have always loved the TV series Downton Abbey. So when I found out how close Highclere Castle was, the place it was filmed, I desperately wanted to go see it. However, it is only open a few times a year for a week or so because the current (8th) Earl and the Countess of Carnarvon live partly in the Castle and partly nearby. Being that it is still a residents they like to have their privacy, understandably so. I was able to get tickets close to Christmas, it was so beautifully decorated!

The Saloon

The Saloon is physically and socially the heart of the house. It was designed for the 4th Earl by Thomas Allom in a gothic style with rich decoration and completed in the 1860's.

Great Oak Staircase

Thomas Allom's great oak staircase fills the tall Italianate tower built by Sir Charles Barry in 1842. Messrs Cox and Son of London took nearly a year to carve and install the staircase between Dec. 1861 and Oct. 1862. 

Great Oak Staircase

The Library

There are over 5,650 books, the earliest dating from the 16th century. The Library is as much used by the family today as in the past, and is a focal meeting point for drinks and conversation both before and after lunch and dinner.

The Library

The Drawing Room 

In 1895, Alfred de Rothschild gave his daughter Almina bolts of green French silk from which to decorate this lovely Drawing Room.

The Drawing Room 

Mercia Bedroom

In Downton Abbey, this was Lady Grantham's bedroom.

Stanhope Bedroom 

In Downton Abbey this was the room that Kemal Pamuk stayed in.

Portico Bedroom

In Downton Abbey this was Lady Sybil's bedroom.

Arundel Bedroom

In Downton Abbey this was Lady Edith's bedroom. 

Arundel bedroom and its dressing room were used as an Operating Theatre and Recovery Room respectively during the first World War. 

Walking the gardens with Jilian and Tina.

Jilian and me

Jilian, Aileen, Christine, me and Tina