by Barbara Gulley
All Photography © Highclere Castle
Lady Carnarvon talks about life at Highclere Castle, the impact of the popular series, and where she likes to have tea.
A cup of tea and the next installment of Downton Abbey make a perfect pairing whether you enjoy your tea milk-in-first or milk-in-last (the former practice historically tied to the downstairs staff; the latter, to the upper class). No matter which side of the manor you identify with, Downton Abbey fans are united in their devotion to the show whether it be the fictional story, the real-life characters who inspired it, or a combination.
The first season of Downton Abbey aired on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater in 2010, and for the first two months of the year ever since, many Americans have welcomed the members of the aristocratic Crawley family and their downstairs staff into their homes every Sunday night. In turn, the Carnarvons have been opening the doors to their country estate, Highclere Castle (the blue-blood clan and residence, respectively, that inspired Downton Abbey), to the public for years. Fans of the patrician lifestyle get a glimpse of what it’s like to reside in a home that contains not only the grand furnishings passed down from generation to generation, but also the stories of ancestors ripe for the retelling.
As the author of two books on the former residents of the country estate, the current Countess of Highclere, Lady Fiona Carnarvon (married to George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon) has become the face of the real Downton Abbey. While some may find it daunting to receive so many guests each year, Lady Carnarvon welcomes it as part of Highclere’s history. However, actually viewing her home on the television series can be a little disconcerting.
“Highclere has welcomed visitors since 1988,” says Lady Carnarvon, “and whilst we are busier and are delighted to see more international visitors, it has been part of our life and my life ever since I married Geordie (my husband). I, nevertheless, find it surreal when I am watching TV sometimes and see the familiar carpets, gilded pillars, or paintings.”
I absolutely loved Downton Abbey and am so sad to see it go off the air. This was a lovely article and I truly enjoyed it. What a treat it would be to have tea at Highclere Castle. You might have an entire article about tea at the Castle …. what is served and how many staff it takes to pull it off… the linens and china used, etc. Maybe include a special souvenir for those of us who will never have tea there….say an opportunity to order a Downton Abbey tea/saucer set. Just an idea. Love your magazine.