Little Known Secrets of Highclere Castle
11 August 2022
The widely loved world of Downton Abbey now comprises six series and two films. It tells the tale of the upper-class Crawley family and their domestic staff, set at the beginning of the 20th century. The esteemed fictional Downton Abbey is set in the impressive Highclere Castle and covers a range of different themes including the relationships between the family and their domestic servants, women’s rights, the Spanish Flu pandemic, the sinking of the RMS Titanic, the Irish War of Independence, and the decline of the aristocracy in Britain.
It is easy to get immersed in the world of Downton, and difficult to believe that it is fictional, in part due to the fact that it closely tracks the real history of the castle and its occupants – now owned by the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
Highclere Castle has been the location for a number of different TV series and films, a hospital for wounded soldiers, and a home for evacuated children during the Second World War. It has many stories to tell and a host of little-known secrets. And here are some of them.
It is a Family Home
Despite its grandeur and the fact that parts of it are open to the public, Highclere Castle is still a family home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. It was built on the foundations of an old priory in 1842, designed by the famous Sir Charles Barry – the architect who was also responsible for the Houses of Parliament. Highclere Castle has between 250 and 300 rooms, some of which (including the iconic dining room and saloon as well as some of the famous bedrooms) can be visited by the public.
The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon enjoy entertaining guests and filling the house with laughter, and it is even said to have a ghost of a former housekeeper who keeps her keys on a chain around her waist in the same way as Mrs. Hughes in the Downton Abbey series.
The Library is Still in Use
The castle’s North Library is one of the most iconic rooms, where many scenes of the TV series were filmed. Despite this, the family still uses this room as a library today, perusing its over 6,000 books that line the walls.
This is one of the rooms where the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon convene with their guests for their pre-dinner drinks and is modelled on London’s exclusive Reform Club.
The Library’s Secret Passage
No magnificent historic home is complete without a few secret passages, and Highclere Castle is no different. Its secret passage runs between the world-famous library and the music room (which has not appeared in the filming of Downton Abbey). The music room is the preferred room by its real-life occupants for entertaining guests and hosting small dinner parties.
The music room has, ironically, never been used to play music, but does home the desk and chair made from mahogany which are said to have once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte. It looks out onto the south side of the Highclere estate, offering stunning views.
The Treasures of Ancient Egypt in the Basement
It is a little-known secret that the 5th Earl of Carnarvon was a prestigious Egyptologist who sponsored many of the expeditions to discover the mysteries of Ancient Egypt. In fact, he sponsored Howard Carter, the man responsible for ‘discovering’ Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. He took some of the artefacts that he found there home, and these can now be seen in the cellar of Highclere Castle along with some replicas.
The stash was initially kept hidden to avoid paying tax, but the butler let it slip, and the undisclosed treasures were revealed – which now means that we can all see them in all their glory.
Don’t Expect to Find Mrs. Patmore’s Kitchen
During the Downton series, Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen was the scene of much activity with staff dinners and Daisy running around. Unlike this kitchen, however, those at Highclere Castle are modern and stainless steel. These scenes were, instead, all filmed at West London’s Ealing Studios along with the servants’ quarters.
Discover the Secrets of Highclere Castle with Us
For anyone with a love for Downton Abbey, an interest in Egyptology, architecture, or an appreciation for the landscaping genius of Capability Brown, a coach trip to Highclere Castle is a must.
Here at Just Go! Holidays, our “Downton Abbey – Behind the Scenes Exclusive tour” takes you round the public areas of the magnificent Highclere Castle, leading you behind the scenes of the TV series and films, and giving you the opportunity to visit the Egyptian exhibition and explore breath-taking grounds. To see the magic of Downton Abbey at Christmas, join our winter tour!