Downton Abbey effect is a Highclere winner
Correspondent • Published 18 May 2011 09:30
AS MILLIONS await the second series of Downton Abbey later this year, one family is enjoying front row viewing. The cast and crew of the phenomenally popular ITV drama series have returned to Highclere Castle and will be filming there, on and off, until May. Unlike many of Britain's manor houses, which provide stunning backdrops to countless TV programmes and films, the 19th century castle, on the Berkshire Hampshire border, is first and foremost, a family home.
For the duration of filming, Lord and Lady Carnarvon have moved into a smaller house on the 1,000 acre Highclere estate with their three children and five dogs but, as guardians of the historic stately home, they keep a watchful eye over the set.
Lady Carnarvon said: "It's been such a part of our lives. It's fun but pretty full on, considering the number of people involved and constant flow of vans coming in and out. You get to know the crew quite well, but the actors less so. They pop in for two minutes and then pop out again and the women always seem to have their hair in rollers. When I came to watch the first series, I kept thinking, so that's how they did it. You remember seeing them here, going down the staff stairs or along the corridor, but then it cuts to a scene filmed at Ealing Studios. I like looking out for those links, it's fascinating to see how its been put together."
Lady Carnarvon, a friend of Downton Abbey writer, Julian Fellowes, (now a member of the House of Lords as Lord Fellowes of West Stafford) was particularly delighted with the external shots of the castle from the first series and expects the show's popularity to swell visitor numbers when Highclere opens to the public on Sunday, April 17.
The castle, which has around 300 rooms, but not a single shower, also appears in Jeeves and Worcester, Inspector Morse, and Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. It has already tasted the Downton Abbey effect, attracting 3,000 people to its annual two-day Christmas fete in December, six times the number of the previous year.
Lady Carnarvon said: "We have become one of the most, if not the most, famous stately homes in England, and are attracting interest from across Europe and America.
"Downton Abbey makes people realise we are not a fuddy duddy museum but are actually part of England's history. It makes people want to come here and the fact it is lived in and has things like family photographs dotted around the place makes it feel more human and alive.
"I have always felt Highclere is a lovely place for families to visit. We have done a lot of work here and hope we are an appealing visitor attraction this coming year." She added: "I also think the recession has had an effect. My son wants to go to Thorpe Park where the costs are astronomical but a family of four can come here for £40."
Much of Downton Abbey's success stems from it looking at the lives of the servants as well as the gentry. Lady Carnarvon is keen to explore the theme further and is writing a book about Highclere's real-life staff during the Edwardian era. The book will follow staff members through the First World War before focusing on the dramatic changes in society which followed in the 1920s. "I think Downton Abbey has sparked huge interest in downstairs and how it relates to upstairs," Lady Carnarvon said. "We are lucky to have Downton Abbey filming here and the interest it generates in Highclere Castle. This is not a dead museum, there are so many stories here and that's what makes this place work so well."
She added: "I always considered the people who work here as my family. We are a big community and all live together and work together. Like us, their lives are here."
The book will be the third written by Lady Carnarvon, who has also had many successful business ventures and takes a leading role in the upkeep and refurbishment of the castle - although she is careful not to make changes for the sake of it and is keen to protect her predecessors' work. Her second book, Egypt at Highclere: The Discovery of Tutankhamun, explores the opening of the ancient pharaoh's tomb in 1922 by her husband's great-grandfather, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, and Howard Carter.
The stunning artefacts are on display in Highclere's Egyptian museum, which will open to the public, along with the castle, grounds and gardens, next month.
EASTER HUNT
On Sunday, April 24, Highclere Castle will host an Easter Egg Hunt, giving youngsters and their families a fun way of exploring the grounds. It aims to raise money for Naomi House and includes a funfair.
OPENING TIMES
Highclere Castle and its grounds, gardens and Egyptian Exhibition is open seven days a week from Sunday, April 17 to Tuesday, May 3 (excluding April 29). It is also open Monday and Tuesday, May 30-31, and Sunday to Thursday from July 3 to Thursday, September 1. Opening times are 11am to 4.40pm with last admission at 3.30pm. For more details, including admission prices, see www.highclerecastle.com.
FACTS
✣ The castle stands on the site of a house recorded in the Doomsday Book
✣ It has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1679.
✣ Houses of Parliament architect, Sir Charles Barry, began rebuilding Highclere Castle in 1838.
✣ William of Wickham, who built Windsor Castle, lived there in the 14th century.
✣ Highclere Castle attracts around 10,000 school children every year.
✣ The estate was the home of the Bishops of Winchester from the 8th century.
By Alex Gore
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 30 Mar 11
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