Does Anyone Live In The Downton Abbey Castle? Unveiling Highclere's Real-Life Residents
Have you ever found yourself wondering about the grand, stately home that plays Downton Abbey on screen? It's a natural thing to ask, you know, whether anyone truly lives in such a vast, historical place. After all, the castle seems to hum with stories from another time, doesn't it? Many people, like yourself, are curious about the actual goings-on behind those famous walls. It's a big question, and the answer might just surprise you a little.
For fans of the beloved British period drama, "Downton Abbey," the magnificent setting is almost a character in itself. This truly impressive building, which has gained worldwide fame as the filming spot for the show, holds a special place in the hearts of viewers everywhere. People often think of it as a place only for cameras and actors, but the truth is, it's very much a living home.
So, to put it simply, yes, someone does live in the "Downton Abbey" castle. It's not just a set piece or a museum. This grand house, known in the real world as Highclere Castle, is indeed a family residence, and its current occupants have quite a story to tell. It's a place where history and modern life meet, quite literally, under one very old roof.
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Table of Contents
- The Real Residents of Highclere Castle
- Meet the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
- A Look at Highclere Castle Itself
- Managing a Historic Home in the Modern Age
- Living with the Legacy of Downton Abbey
- Exploring the Castle and Its History
- Frequently Asked Questions About Highclere Castle
The Real Residents of Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle, the place everyone knows as the "Downton Abbey" house, is a truly grand stately home located right in the middle of Hampshire, a county in England. It's gained a great deal of recognition across the globe, as a matter of fact, because it served as the main filming location for the well-known British period drama. This means that the very rooms and hallways you see on screen are part of a place where people genuinely live.
Today, Highclere is the actual home of George Herbert and his wife Fiona. They are the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, often referred to as Lord and Lady Carnarvon. So, they are the ones who own this 'real' Downton Abbey house. They live there, running the estate, and keeping the place going, which is a rather big job, you know.
The castle is most recognizable to people all over the world as the actual place where the television show, and the much-anticipated movie, were filmed. This connection to "Downton Abbey" brought the house to a huge audience, and it has certainly made it a very famous address. It's pretty amazing, when you think about it, that a family lives in such an iconic spot.
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Meet the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
The current owners of Highclere Castle, Lord and Lady Carnarvon, are quite professional hosts, you see. They welcome many tens of thousands of people who come to visit each year. They even host members of royalty, including Queen Elizabeth, in their home. George Herbert, the current Earl of Carnarvon, is actually her godson, which is a rather close connection.
The Earl of Carnarvon truly lives in Highclere Castle, the very house that is Downton Abbey. Interestingly enough, he is the son of Porchie, who was the Queen's racing manager and is shown in "The Crown." This family has a long history and deep ties to important figures, so it's not just a fictional story on television.
Lady Carnarvon has written books, and they are available to buy through the gift shop and online. She also has a podcast, which offers a good look into the world of Highclere and "Downton Abbey." Every Monday, Lady Carnarvon's blog takes you on another journey through her words and pictures, giving people a glimpse into their life there. It's a way for them to share their experiences with the public, which is pretty neat.
Personal Details of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
| Names | George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon and Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon |
| Residence | Highclere Castle, Hampshire, England |
| Relationship to Highclere | Owners of the 'real' Downton Abbey house |
| Family Connections | George Herbert is Queen Elizabeth's godson; son of 'Porchie' (Queen's racing manager) |
| Public Role | Hosts tens of thousands of visitors annually, host royals |
| Public Engagement | Lady Carnarvon writes books, hosts a podcast, and maintains a blog about Highclere |
A Look at Highclere Castle Itself
Highclere Castle sits on a very large piece of land, an estate that adds up to 6,000 acres. That's a huge amount of space, isn't it? The castle building itself covers a good 30,000 square feet and has a total of 300 rooms. Among these, there are about 61 bedrooms found on the upper floors, which is a rather impressive number of sleeping quarters.
Back in 2009, it was estimated that around 50 of those rooms were not suitable for living in. The cost to get Highclere into good repair at that time was put at £12 million. That's a lot of money, you know, just to fix up parts of the house. It shows the sheer scale of upkeep needed for such an old and large building.
The castle is located near Newbury, which is a market town in the county. It's quite a prominent feature of the area, and many people travel there just to see it. After Windsor Castle, Highclere is the second largest inhabited castle in England, which really puts its size and importance into perspective. It's a truly significant piece of British heritage.
Managing a Historic Home in the Modern Age
Running a place like Highclere Castle is a huge undertaking, as you might imagine. Their castle alone costs $1.5 million to keep going every single year. That's a massive amount of money just for the day-to-day running of the place. It's a constant job, and it requires a lot of effort and resources, you know.
Rupert Clark of Savills, a property company, offers help and guidance to owners of estates, and this includes the Carnarvon family at Highclere Castle. This support is very important, because looking after such a big and old property needs specialized knowledge and continuous work. It's not just about living there; it's about maintaining a piece of history.
While the Earl and Countess do manage the estate, things are very different from how they were in the early 20th century, the time "Downton Abbey" is set. The show depicts a time when life was about to change a lot, and that shift is certainly reflected in how grand homes are run today. The expectations and standards for maintaining such a place are still very high, though, just as they were back then.
Living with the Legacy of Downton Abbey
"Downton Abbey," the television show, which follows the daily lives and little dramas of a rich, noble family in early 20th century England, became a surprise huge success on PBS. This popularity brought a lot of attention to Highclere Castle, making it famous around the globe. It's rather interesting how a television show can put a real place on the map for so many people.
Filming the "Downton Abbey" movie was just another day in the life at the castle, you know. Lady Carnarvon has said that they like to have good fun with it. This suggests that the presence of film crews and actors has become a normal part of their routine. It's a unique way to live, having your home be a movie set.
With the release of the new "Downton Abbey" film, everyone is talking once more about what is arguably the most famous castle in England. Highclere Castle, even though it's best known for "Downton," is a truly beautiful, traditional, and charmingly English stately home in its own right. Its connection to the show simply added another layer to its already rich story.
The show's fans know that the beloved series was filmed on location at a real castle. The name of the castle in the show is, of course, made up, but the actual castle is called Highclere Castle. It's the home to the eighth Earl of Carnarvon and his family, which is pretty cool. It’s a good example of how art can imitate life, and how a home can become a part of a much bigger story.
It's rather interesting to read some of the books by the Mitford sisters, as they lived somewhat that lifestyle during the same time period as "Downton Abbey." Another interesting read about that kind of life is "Rose, My Life in Service to Lady Astor." As you can guess, it isn't quite the screen "Downton Abbey" version, but it does give you a real sense of what it was like, which is pretty insightful.
Exploring the Castle and Its History
If you're someone who still has those lingering "Downton Abbey" desires, you can get lost in one of England's most beautiful estates, Highclere Castle. It offers a chance to step into a world that feels both familiar from the screen and deeply rooted in history. It's a place that invites you to explore, which is quite appealing.
A new app allows you to take a virtual tour of the castle, with narration to guide you. This is a great way to see inside, even if you can't visit in person. Have you ever wondered what lies behind the doors marked "no entry"? This app, you know, might give you a peek.
For those who want to learn even more, Lady Carnarvon's books, podcast, and blog provide a deeper look into the world of Highclere. Her blog, published every Monday, takes you on another journey through words and pictures, giving a very personal insight into life at the castle. It's a wonderful resource for anyone curious about the daily routines and challenges of maintaining such a grand home. You can learn more about Highclere Castle on our site, and perhaps even plan a visit to this page for more historical details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Highclere Castle
Is Highclere Castle still occupied by a family?
Yes, it is. Highclere Castle is the actual home of George Herbert and his wife Fiona, who are the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. They live there and manage the large estate, welcoming many people who come to visit each year. It's a very active residence, you know, not just a historical building.
How much does it cost to maintain Highclere Castle each year?
Running Highclere Castle is a very costly business. The castle alone costs about $1.5 million to keep going every year. This huge amount of money covers all the necessary upkeep, repairs, and daily operations required for such a large and old property. It's a significant financial commitment, as a matter of fact.
Can visitors go inside Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey?
Yes, visitors can certainly go inside Highclere Castle. The castle is open to the public during the summer months. The current owners, Lord and Lady Carnarvon, are quite good at hosting, and they welcome tens of thousands of people each year. There's even an app that lets you take a virtual tour, which is pretty handy for those who can't visit in person. You can find more information on their official site: Highclere Castle Official Website.
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