The Real Downton Abbey

Highclere Castle….aka Downton Abbey holds fond memories for me and this weekend I shall be headed back to the castle as a tourist to take my daughter.

It is the Winter opening where the castle will be decorated and there will be mulled wine and Christmas Carols. 25 years ago, I would have been the one pouring out the mulled wine, handing out the canapes and polishing the silver ware. This was where I used to work as a teenager, long before it was Downton Abbey, we would waitress for different events whether it was a wedding, or a party, we even hosted events for the rich and famous. But the last time I was at Highclere Castle was for the Antiques Roadshow which aired there many years ago.

Watching Highclere Castle as Downton Abbey brings back special memories and I have waited for ages to be able to get tickets to show my daughter around, so I am very much looking forward to visiting the castle once again. Tickets have been like hotcakes since Downton Abbey.

A lot of village folk where I and my family are from are quite often called upon as extras for the set, although I dont live in the village of Kingsclere anymore, but the neighboring town and so I have not been quite so lucky. A few friends have been cast as extras recently for the filming of the new movie to be released in 2019.

But Downton Abbey aside, Highclere Castle is absolutely spectacular, the rooms, the staircase, the furniture is all pretty breathtaking, its no wonder that Viking cruise lines offered privileged access to Highclere Castle for its guests, particularly to the American market who have fallen in love with Downton Abbey. Its hard not too as you pull up to the castle down the long driveway just in awe of its stunning presence. Its like a magical fairy tale and Christmas even more s o.

Highclere castle would be totally doable as a Cruise Excursion from Southampton being only 50 mins away. Its also been offerered by the River Cruise lines too.

There is also an Egyptian Exhibition onsite at the Castle which will be interesting and something different, as for the Castle, I will feel like I am visiting a movie set – which I will be, Cant wait to spend a magical Xmas day at the Castle. 🙂