Part 1, Downton Abbey Tour, Secret Garden, exquisite grounds...More tomorrow...
When we planned the 10 hour tour which included a trip to the castle where the popular BBC TV series, Downton Abbey is filmed, we discovered the "real" name of the castle is actually Highclere Castle, which long before the show was a popular tourist attraction.
With the production and popularity of the show, Downton Abbey, the increased tourism to the castle has been instrumental in it owners and occupants of the house, Earl and Lady Carnarvon to commence extensive much needed renovation.
Earl and Lady Carnarvon stay out of sight during tours, often away at their summer home, although at times they have made an appearance during the 60 to 70 days a year the castle is open to the public.
For the details and history of Highclere Castle, please click here.
Rather than retell the history and general facts regarding the castle with considerable information already online, we'll share our photos and experiences of the 13 hour outing, over a period of two days in Parts 1 and 2.
Tomorrow, we'll share photos of the village of Bampton Oxfordshire, where most of the village filming transpires.
For devotees of the popular British TV series produced by the profoundly talented Julian Fellows and his creative staff today's post may off come appeal. For those of you unfamiliar with the series, we can only suggest giving it a try for a delightful escape to another time and place, historically accurate, and robustly produced.
We've watched the series since its first episode began on September 21, 2010, now rolling into its fifth season. Our lively and knowledgeable tour guide Paul, explained that a week ago he'd seen the show in production at the village of Bamptonshire. ("Shire" is included at the end of the names of villages and towns to indicate a division of land).
We had few expectation of yesterday's lengthy outing beginning at 7:30 am when we walked across the street to the Kensington Hotel to be picked up in a luxury coach for the two hour drive to Oxford which was the first leg of the tour. We didn't actually arrive at Highclere Castle until 2:30 pm with a full two hours to explore on our own.
We're sharing the separate areas we visited out of sequence, wrapping up the balance tomorrow. We felt many of our readers were anxious to read about Downton Abbey first, when we'd mentioned it several times over the last week.
With 60 passengers in tow on the luxury coach where we spent several hours on the road, we all held our breath as we approached the Highclere Castle.
As is the case in many of these tours, one must prepare themselves for a letdown, when the anticipation has lingered for days or weeks. But, disappointed...we were not! It was all we expected and more.
The only disappointment was the fact that no photos are allowed anywhere inside the castle with respect for the privacy of Earl and Lady Carnaron since this is their personal home.
In an odd way, once we entered the interior of the house, I was fine not focusing on taking photos, instead able to pay attention to minute details, as we moved along the house's many rooms. Please click here for interior photos of the house.
Standing in the familiar rooms was exciting while our minds perused various episodes of the series. My favorite was the familiar dining room and Tom's was the library. An on site guide explained that there are approximately 200 rooms in the enormous castle with an estimated 120,000 square feet, 11,148 square meters.
Fortunately, we were allowed to take exterior photos which kept us busy during the second hour as we toured the extensive gardens. It wasn't crowded as shown in our photos many of which we were able to take with tourists in view. The fact that we'd arrived in the afternoon appeared to have been a factor in the lessened crowds.
At 4:30, we again boarded the bus for the quaint village of Brampton where many of the village scenes are filmed. Apparently, the townspeople are opposed to their new found notoriety due to the series with increased business in their few shops and one pub in town.
When filming commences, autos, TV antennae, power lines, and trash bins must be removed. In addition, they production crew fills the streets with dirt and gravel over the tarred roads to create an appearance of a time long ago.
At the end of each season's production the company holds a party for the entire village as well as providing donations to the city, making all the hoopla worthwhile to its citizens.
In the beginning of the tour, I'd considered that Tom had tagged along for my benefit. However, as the day worn on, he was engaged and interested, particularly to the historical aspects of the castle and village.
Having seen Highclere Castle we'll have an entirely new perspective when the new fifth season of Downton Abbey begins in January.
As the long day ended, the bus dropped us at the Kensington Station, a mere 15 minute walk back to our hotel. Anxious to stop for dinner, we found a casual Italian restaurant on the way with good food which included a few items suitable for me.
Tomorrow, we'll be back with our visit to Bampton where the village shots for Downton Abbey are filmed and, also the historic village of Oxford, reeking of history dating back to 912 AD. What an experience that was as well! One could easily book a hotel in the fascinating town, staying for weeks to experience its many treasures.
No, we don't love touring on a bus with 60 other tourists. However, this was the most affordable tours we could find at US $370, 223 pounds for both of us. Its wise to book in advance if possible.
We'll be tomorrow with Part 2 and many more photos!
_______________________________________
Photo from one year ago today, August 21, 2013:
 |
| We held our breath as we approached Highclare Castle, home of the famed BBC Downton Abbey TV series. No interior photos were allowed. Please click here for interior photos of the house |
With the production and popularity of the show, Downton Abbey, the increased tourism to the castle has been instrumental in it owners and occupants of the house, Earl and Lady Carnarvon to commence extensive much needed renovation.
 |
| The exquisite grounds were as equally appealing as the castle. |
For the details and history of Highclere Castle, please click here.
 |
| Tom was looking at the exterior condition of Highclere Castle as we wandered about the grounds. |
 |
| There's hardly a totally clear day in the UK including during our time at the castle. |
 |
| Standing at the back of the castle, this is the view of the carriage house. |
 |
| The back view of Highclere Castle. |
 |
| There is a huge field of wildflowers on the grounds of Highclere Castle. We can only imagine how beautiful this would be in the spring in full bloom. |
 |
| View of the castle as we walked along the path to the gardens. |
 |
| I recall seeing this bench under a tree in a scene in the series. |
 | ||
| The vast array of color in the gardens was exquisite.
|
 |
| Anyone have an idea what this is? |
 |
| A simple white flowers amongst many. |
 |
| Beautiful blooms! |
 |
| A manicured path we followed in the Secret Garden. |
 |
| With the rose blooming season behind us, we enjoyed seeing this pink rose. |
 |
| Bess and butterflies were everywhere partaking of the sweet nectar of many varieties of clowers. |
 |
| Another butterfly alights a pretty white flower. |
 |
| We sat on a bench contemplating these unusual trimmings. |
 |
| Tom under a uniquely trimmed arch. |
 |
| Although the greenhouse doors were locked, we took this shot through a tiny opening. |
 |
| The red in this flower close to the greenhouse, stood out among many. |
 |
| Me, at the main entrance to the castle. |
 |
| One last peek before we departed Hghclere Castle, home of the Downton Abbey TV series. |
We'll be tomorrow with Part 2 and many more photos!
_______________________________________
Photo from one year ago today, August 21, 2013:
 |
| Little did we know how many geckos we'd find in houses while in Africa, at this point a year ago with only 10 days until we'd depart Italy for Kenya. For details from that date. please click here |