Damn, the Real 'Downton Abbey' Castle Looks So Much Better IRL Than It Does on TV
It’s been four years since Dame Maggie Smith graced our television screens and Amazon Prime accounts in Downton Abbey, the PBS show that can only be described as the best English period soap in TV history. (You can @ me, but you’d be wrong!) If you want a show that’s all about fancy noble people trying to hang on to their 1,060-acre castle and social status, then you need to catch up so you can watch the original cast return in the new Downton movie that premieres today.
And speaking of those plush living quarters, it’s actually filmed at Highclere Castle in England. When you see what the castle actually looks like IRL, you’ll be so upset you weren’t born royal. Like, so much more upset than you already are. Sorry, but you need to see it!
First off, Highclere is 60 miles west of London, dates back to 749, and has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1679. It’s super easy to get to, and the surrounding town is charming and lovely, but let’s get to how big this thing is. It has more than 200 rooms, multiple gardens, temples, and a lot of it is currently being restored by the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
Without further ado, here’s a pic of the castle with Frankie Grande and Ariana Grande’s mom, Joan!
And here’s an aerial view for good measure:
TBH, maybe it’s a good thing my room isn’t half as nice as the ones in Highclere because then there’d be zero hope of me ever getting out of bed.
Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) used the Mercia bedroom in the show, and it just so happens to be one of the main guest rooms the owners of Highclere use.
For instant food porn, all Downton Abbey had to do was pan over to Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen. It looks just like the IRL one with the exception of the paint color and the fact that Mrs. Patmore kept hers stocked with every type of pot, pan, or gadget you’d ever need.
The saloon is a 50-foot tall room that would instantly make crushing White Claws feel fancy AF.
Somebody please tell me the current owners use the music room to blast Lizzo to an ungodly decibel.
Like the name suggests, the morning room is great to chill in if you want to enjoy the view or catch the sunrise. This room wasn’t used in filming, but Maggie Smith did used to hang out in there “for moments of peace.”
I’m convinced this library and sitting room have to be the best places to kick back and read some Meg Cabot classics.
If this castle sounds like somewhere you’d like to kick back (how could you not want to hang here?), then you need to read what I’m about to tell you very carefully and take notes. Highclere is opening its doors on November 26 for $150 for the first person to sign up on its Airbnb page. The listing opens on October 1 at 7 a.m. EST and the winner will be chosen on a first come, first served basis, so if you’re not first, you’re last in this case.
If metaphorically elbowing out a bunch of Downton fans at 7 a.m. doesn’t sound like your thing, then you can just visit the castle and explore all the rooms and gardens when it’s open to the public throughout the year.
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