We meet the household of the ‘real’ Downton Abbey house, Highclere Castle…
Words and Photos by Jeremy Flint
Highclere Castleis a magnificent stately home in the heart of Hampshire that has gained global recognition as the filming location for the British period drama Downton Abbey.Today, Highclere is home to George Herbert and his wife Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Lord and Lady Carnarvon), owners of the ‘real’ Downton Abbey house.
With the much-anticipated movie Downton Abbey: A New Erahaving recently graced our screens (in the UK in April and USA in May), photographer Jeremy Flint was invited behind the scenes at Highclere Castle to meet Lady Carnarvon and some of the many people who work there, the real-life cast of Downton Abbey, in an exclusive for Discover Britain magazine.
Meet the real-life Downton Abbey household
Lady Carnarvon
According to Lady Carnarvon, life today in the big house differs greatly from the screen. “It has a different role than one for which it was created, I have more dogs – seven! – and there are more people who work here today than in Downton, playing varied roles as we welcome visitors,” she says.
“We are working hard to make the best of the marketing platform Downton Abbey provides by building on our brand with Highclere Castle Gin. I have also written books. We are helping Highclere to play its part on the world stage.”
At the helm of Lady Carnarvon’s esteemed team is John Gundill, Highclere’s general manager. John is responsible for the day-to-day running of the house, and events, working closely with all the castle staff. He manages the kitchen, banqueting, housekeeping,gardeners, estate staff, farm workers, and pretty much anything else, where required.
“No two days are the same” he says. “Both Lord and Lady Carnarvon are very hands on and involved in all aspects of the business and the public love to meet them…I have seen many early summer sunrises for filming, and I have been privileged to share and be present at some amazing events during my time here at Highclere.”
Luis Coelho, Head Butler at Highclere
Luis Coelho, head butler at Highclere, is the modern-day equivalent of Mr Carson in Downton Abbey.“I’ve been working at Highclere for 14 years as butler to Lord and Lady Carnarvon, and I am also the banqueting manager, overseeing all the food and beverages for public opening and event days,” he says.
Luis resides at the castle and entertains the family and friends of theirs, who often stay. “When family are in residence, we do a butler service in the same style as Downton, and I have a full team of butlers who work for me,” he says.
Jason Nash, a full-time housekeeper, is one of the newbies at Highclere, responsible for making beds, hoovering, and cleaning. He is part of a small team who keep the castle pristine for the family who live there and visitors who arrive.
“I liken my role to Mr Barrow,” he says, referencing the Downton Abbey character and footman. Jason’s favourite part of the job is having access to all areas of Highclere Castle, including the incredible Egyptian exhibition. His most memorable moment was climbing the Tower “even if it was to hoover up dead flies” he says.
For the full behind-the-scenes at Highclere Castle feature, see the April/May 2022 issue of Discover Britain, available to buy here.
Rather than the fictional Crawley family, it's been the real 'seat' of the Earls of Carnarvon since the 1600's, with the current Earl and Countess still in residence today.
The family attributed this increase in interest to the on-site filming of Downton Abbey. The family now live in Highclere Castle at various times throughout the year, but return to their cottage when the castle is open to the public.
In short, the Crawley family isn't real, but they are based on the Carnavons who reside at Highclere Castle, otherwise known as the real Downton Abbey. The impressive property was bought in 1679 by Sir Robert Sawyer, a direct ancestor of the Carnavons.
Duties include: care of the wardrobe and a Lady's private rooms, care, cleaning, pressing and mending of a Lady's clothes, preparation of clothes for packing. Today this role is still sought after and Marshall Harber have placed many successful lady's maids.
The role is now virtually a historic one, although servants with this designation are still employed in the British Royal Household, wearing a distinctive scarlet livery on state occasions.
For all the fame it brought Highclere, Carnarvon says the fee for the production of Downton Abbey 'was just enough to keep me in cappuccinos' – meaning not a lot (one estimate puts it at about £5,000 a day).
Assuming that the property is entailed (meaning inheritance to it is legally fixed and not at the will of the current holder) it will go, along with the earldom, to the eldest son of the present (8th) Earl of Carnarvon, that is to George Herbert, currently known as Lord Porchester.
'There are around 200 to 300 rooms and between 50 to 80 bedrooms,' says Fiona, 8th Countess of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, the ancestral home propelled to fame as the location for Downton Abbey in the popular TV series.
She knows that Thomas is the illegitimate son of O'Brien and Lord Grantham – and the rightful heir to the house. She knows it will kill her husband to see an illegitimate child inherit Downton Abbey and she has waited a long time for this moment.
In The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era by Jessica Fellowes and Matthew Sturgis, Julian Fellowes relates that the character of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, is based on his tyrannical great-aunt Isie (she served also as the model for Lady Trentham in Gosford Park).
Jim Carter is another Downton actor who is married to a co-star, however they met well before the show. Jim married actress Imelda Staunton (who appeared in the film) in 1983 after meeting during a theatre production of Guys and Dolls. Together they one daughter Bessie, born in 1993.
Today, Highclere is home to George Herbert and his wife Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Lord and Lady Carnarvon), owners of the 'real' Downton Abbey house.
This fabulous Downton Abbey experience including a driver for the day, and all admittance, is priced from about £1,400.00 per person per day. We are also delighted to offer you the ultimate experience.
Individuals and families of all types and sizes hire housekeepers on a full-time, part-time, or live-in basis to keep interior spaces sanitary, tidy, and enjoyable to spend time in.
Are the Crawleys of Downton Abbey a real family? The fictional Crawleys are based on the Earls and Countesses of Carnarvon, who still reside at Highclere Castle, where the series is filmed (though the fictional Downton Abbey is in Yorkshire, rather than Hampshire, where Highclere is).
If you've been following along at home, you know that our rough equation adds up quickly to about $100 million (and that's just after the first line item). So it might be relegated squarely to our continued fantasies — but it's certainly fun to dream!
Valets, like most domestic staff such as butlers and lady's maid, have become rare even among the upper classes. Those that still employ staff tend to have combined the roles to reduce costs. But the Royal Family is still looked after by a large team of royal staff, including butlers, chefs and waiting staff.
Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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