Visit Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle in Berkshire (South East England) is the real castle that plays the role of Downton Abbey.
The third season of the massively popular TV series Downton Abbey premieres in the U. S. on January 6, 2013. Finally, we’ll find out if Lady Mary and Matthew get married, and we’ll meet Lady Grantham’s mother, played by actress Shirley MacLaine. If watching the show makes you want to visit the garden and the magnificent stately home, then wish no more. There are several options if you’d like to visit Downton Abbey.
Highclere Castle in Berkshire (South East England) is the real castle that plays the role of Downton Abbey, fictional home to the Earl of Grantham, his family, and a host of servants. The Victorian castle is set on 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland. The actual residents are the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, whose family have lived on the site since 1679. Downton Abbey author, Julian Fellowes is a longstanding friend of the family and had Highclere in mind as the home of the Granthams while writing the series.
You can make a trip this spring or summer when the castle is open to visitors and enjoy a cup of tea at the café, stroll the garden, and tour some of the room that were used during filming. Because you and I are not the only Downton Abbey fans, entrance tickets should be purchased well in advance.
Getting There
Highclere is located about an hour and a half away from London by train. Of course, if you prefer, you can also drive. The castle lies to the west of London, not far from the M4 and Newbury. Oxford and Birmingham are to the north, Winchester and Southampton to the south. For details and directions, go to the Highclere website. Tickets for spring 2013 can now be purchased on the site. Tickets for summer 2013 will be available in February.
What’s going to happen in Season 3? Will Lady Mary marry? Will Mr. Bates remain in prison?
Die-hard fans that want to sleep in the same room as their Downton heroes (albeit without them there), can book a room at The Carnarvon Arms, a former coach house near Highclere Castle. Because it’s only a short distance from the set, this is where the Downton cast stayed during filming. Recently restored by British celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, the Carnarvon has become a popular country inn.
If you’d rather take a day tour from London, Great British Tours is a good option since they use chauffeur driven private vehicles. They offer hotel pick up/drop off, numerous photo opportunities, and a chance to enjoy each location at a more leisurely and intimate pace.
The Great British Tours’ itinerary includes Highclere Castle and a stop at Bampton, one of the oldest villages in England, where the Downton village scenes were filmed. Entrance fees to Highclere Castle and the grounds are included in the cost of the tour.
Sounds like jolly good fun to me.
Category: England
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It is really worth bearing in mind that the although the Downton Abbey house is very popular, there are a huge number of stately homes in the UK that rank or surpass Highclere Castle. These include Knole in Kent, Chatsworth House and of course Blenheim Palace.