Inside the real Downton Abbey
It has become the world’s most famous and best-loved stately home, the historic seat of the Earl and Countess of Grantham and backdrop for Britain’s favourite costume drama.
The double library, which has welcomed royals and prime ministers, contains more than 5,000 rare books, some of which date back to the 16th century
But the real Downton Abbey is, of course, spectacular Highclere Castle, in Berkshire. Home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, the current pile began to take shape in 1838 when the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon tasked Sir Charles Barry, who designed the Palace of Westminster, with transforming his existing Georgian property into something truly extraordinary.
The current Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
And he certainly succeeded.
When Benjamin Disraeli saw the finished home he declared, ‘How scenical! How scenical!’
3 The Saloon at the centre of the house was designed in the 1860s by Thomas Allom for the 4th Earl of Carnarvon. 4 Terra cotta ‘Wyvern’, winged dragon, the heraldic crest of the Carnarvon family. 5 Italian marble statue of the 4th Earl of Carnarvon as a child, and his sister Eveline Left: The Italian marble ‘pietre dure’ table is inset with panels depicting birds and fruit
The building began to fall into disrepair during the mid-20th century, but the current Earl and Countess have restored the building and its grounds exquisitely, leading the estate to play the starring role in Julian Fellowes’s Downton Abbey.
6 The Grand Dining Room contains a mixture of period furnishings, including shield-back chairs and a collection of family portraits. The long-case clock standing in the corner was made by famous London clockmaker John Shelton. 7 The south-facing Drawing Room is designed in the Rococo revival style and was decorated in the late 1890s by Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. The walls are covered in bolts of French silk damask
These remarkable pictures were taken during The Lady’s recent visit to the castle – and reveal it in all its magnificent glory.
8 The Smoking Room was designed as a place for men to gather after dinner and has a masculine decor. On the walls hang 17th century Dutch paintings and early 19th century artwork from a Grand Tour. 9 The Italian marble ‘pietre dure’ table is inset with panels depicting birds and fruit. 10 The bedrooms have gradually been refurbished by the 8th Countess over the past five years, using prints and drawings from the archives
Highclere Castle, Highclere Park, Newbury: 01635-253210, www.highclerecastle.co.uk
The double library, which has welcomed royals and prime ministers, contains more than 5,000 rare books, some of which date back to the 16th centuryBut the real Downton Abbey is, of course, spectacular Highclere Castle, in Berkshire. Home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, the current pile began to take shape in 1838 when the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon tasked Sir Charles Barry, who designed the Palace of Westminster, with transforming his existing Georgian property into something truly extraordinary.
The current Earl and Countess of CarnarvonAnd he certainly succeeded.
When Benjamin Disraeli saw the finished home he declared, ‘How scenical! How scenical!’
3 The Saloon at the centre of the house was designed in the 1860s by Thomas Allom for the 4th Earl of Carnarvon. 4 Terra cotta ‘Wyvern’, winged dragon, the heraldic crest of the Carnarvon family. 5 Italian marble statue of the 4th Earl of Carnarvon as a child, and his sister Eveline Left: The Italian marble ‘pietre dure’ table is inset with panels depicting birds and fruitThe building began to fall into disrepair during the mid-20th century, but the current Earl and Countess have restored the building and its grounds exquisitely, leading the estate to play the starring role in Julian Fellowes’s Downton Abbey.
6 The Grand Dining Room contains a mixture of period furnishings, including shield-back chairs and a collection of family portraits. The long-case clock standing in the corner was made by famous London clockmaker John Shelton. 7 The south-facing Drawing Room is designed in the Rococo revival style and was decorated in the late 1890s by Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. The walls are covered in bolts of French silk damaskThese remarkable pictures were taken during The Lady’s recent visit to the castle – and reveal it in all its magnificent glory.
8 The Smoking Room was designed as a place for men to gather after dinner and has a masculine decor. On the walls hang 17th century Dutch paintings and early 19th century artwork from a Grand Tour. 9 The Italian marble ‘pietre dure’ table is inset with panels depicting birds and fruit. 10 The bedrooms have gradually been refurbished by the 8th Countess over the past five years, using prints and drawings from the archivesHighclere Castle, Highclere Park, Newbury: 01635-253210, www.highclerecastle.co.uk