The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon take a somewhat different approach to the fame and notoriety of their great house. I honestly believe you could visit Highclere Castle and leave
unaware that it is none other than
Downton Abbey. (OK, you'd have to have been living in a mayonnaise jar for several years not to know what
Downton Abbey was; and you'd have to have ignored the numerous visitors' objections that, "isn't the desk supposed to be over there?" or "the table couldn't be this small", or "these are supposed to be carnations, not roses," etc.). There is
nothing about
Downton Abbey in the house, and, astonishingly, nothing at all in the gift shoppe, either. Not even a "Keep Calm and Watch
Downton Abbey" coffee mug. It's all about Highclere Castle and the earls of Carvarvon (some of whom are pretty famous). Personally, I think this is just good business sense. The house has to maintain its own long-term identity. Anyhow, we pretty much spent the day there, since Rebecca and Vicki are big fans; and I do not live in a mayonnaise jar. Well, not
exactly....
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| Our party approaches |
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| Official photo |
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| Closer up |
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Rebecca said be sure and get a picture of this bench and this tree and this side of
the castle |
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Full frontal; there is a strictly enforced no pix policy inside; a shame, since there
is much of interest; and especially all the Egyptian stuff...discovery of King Tut
and all that; anyhow, the current house was designed by the same guy who did
the Houses of Parliament; grounds by Capability Brown (for an earlier version
of the house) |
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| Family portrait on The Bench |
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| Another at the Jackdaws, the folly |
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| Thus |
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| The Earl and his head gardener; apparently a very hands-on kind of earl |
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| In the garden |
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| Flowery meadow over which the castle towers tower |
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Spoiler: after WWII, with inheritance taxes at 80%, the heirs sign Downton Abbey
over to the National Trust; but there's a happy ending, and potential spin-off: the
lord and lady get to run the gift shoppe, and the butler and housekeeper run,
respectively, the custodial staff and the cafe |
1 comment:
Oh, I am so jealous!
PBS had a great program on Highclere Castle with interviews with the owner and his wife. They grow grain for horse feed for the Queen's horses (among others, I am sure!).
I was amazed at how much it costs to keep the house maintained. No wonder they sell tours!
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