October 29, 2012

Visiting Downton:



Today I wanted to share some images of Downton Abbey with you guys from our trip to England! When I learned you could actually visit the Castle they film at in Downton Abbey, I was elated! I googled the directions from where we were staying, it was about a 2 hour drive. so it was set. We rented a car and headed there on the 2nd day of our trip. I had no idea it'd be so amazing and incredible in person. The castle is actually called Highclere Castle, they often tours during the seasons they're open. It was amazing!


Front entrance! Holy smokes! We weren't allowed to take any pics of the inside so these are just outside shots. Inside was amazing. We saw the main entrance room, the library, dining room, stairway, and some of the bedrooms! They film the downstairs servant area/kitchen and some of the rooms on another location, so it was a little different but still amazing to see most of it! The rooms are actually so much smaller in person, they make it seems so huge on tv!




Tip: If you ever take a visit to Highclere Castle, go toward the end of the day! We went around 3:00, it closed at 5:00 but they stop letting people in at 4:00. The last of the tour buses was just about leaving when we got there and it was not crowded at all! We could see the rooms inside quite easily and we got plenty of photos without big tour buses blocking the castle. Also, if you are able to rent a car during your trip, definitely drive to the castle. We looked up tours with a group and it was quite expensive, I think $100 per person or something, as they take you on the bus. The entry cost to the castle was around £13 for the gardens, castle, and exhibitions - very reasonable! Plus it's just nice to be on your own schedule. If we ever go again, I am going to spend all day here ;)


We had tea & scones in their tea room. Nick & I sat and enjoyed the scenery - hands down the best part of the trip. So peaceful, the scones and clotted cream/jam were so good.




They had really pretty gardens, it was so fun to walk around and explore.




Here are some photos from my instagram feed too!


We weren't allowed to take photos on the inside (sad!!) but I kind of snuck one of the hallway. I came home and watched a couple episodes and it's exactly how it looks in the show! 
I have to say, now when I watch the show, I get pretty excited that I've actually been here now. It's amazing. I highly recommend it to any fans of the show, if you ever get the opportunity to go. 

40 comments:

  1. Oh my sweet merciful heaven... this is like my dream come true. So envious - it sounds like a wonderful time!!

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  2. NO WAY!!! I want to visit Downton !!!!

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  3. I can just hear the theme song scrolling through your photos! So exciting, thanks for sharing :)

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  4. Ahhh living through you right now! What a dream! Thanks for the beautiful pics!

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  5. I want to live in this post. I want to visit it every single day and pretend I was there with you. Such beautiful beautiful photos.

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  6. Me he enamorado de tu pagina y de la forma que tines de presentar las cosas.
    Desde ahora voy a ser una fan incondicional.

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  7. That is so cool Danni! I lovee Downton Abbey, so neat you got to visit! And those scones look amazing too. xo

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  8. Seriously living vicariously through you! So jealous!

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  9. What a beautiful place and amazing pictures!

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  10. I'm so jealous! Looks as magical and perfect as the show . . I love the show and it would be a dream to go one day.

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  11. Thanks for the tour of this amazing place. You got great exterior photos (I hate it when I can't take interior photos when I'm on a tour!)

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  12. Amazing photos!!! I'd love to go there one day =) thanks for sharing your travels pics =)

    ~Juli

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  13. I'm so jealous! I would love to go to Downton or at least England. :)

    I'm glad you had a wonderful time.

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  14. wow, amazing! i just love old homes and castles...and since I am a huge Downton fan, this place looks like a dream!

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  15. Oh wow. Thanks for sharing all of these details! I don't think I could ever leave.

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  16. What an amazing place to visit! I am so jealous.

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  17. OMG this is fabulous!! I am a huge Downton Abbey fan and would love to visit the castle, too. Great photography, thanks for taking us along!

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  18. The scone picture is to die for! How fun! You captured it perfectly - and thanks for the tip!

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  19. danni, these are SO beautiful! i don't watch downton abbey, but now i want to 'cause your pictures are so pretty!! so legit :) so happy you and nick had fun in the uk :)

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  20. Ah! So unbelievably lovely!! That's so awesome you got to go!! I'm so silly-excited for season 3 ... Man I'm such a girl!

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  21. Oh my goodness!!!! What a treat!!! I'm so glad you got to do this and thank you for sharing these lovely photos with us! Oh wow... what a stunning "house". This is crazy beautiful.

    Thanks for the eye candy Danni!

    Emily
    www.BeautifulHelloBlog.com

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  22. This is really cool. Thank you for the tips and thank you for sharing. What a dream it is to visit this place!!!

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  23. Oh oh oh... I'm dying of jealousy..... It looks so amazing and your photos are killer. :::sigh::: Lucky duck!

    xoxo
    Janee
    www.yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com

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  24. I love the show. I'm so envious of your visit!! :)

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  25. I am SO with all the ladies here VERY JEALOUS!! But SO happy you shared it with you followers!! Glorious...what a great castle and show!
    Laurie

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  26. You look so adorable and happy in these pics!

    x Kelly

    www.misskandmrray.blogspot.ca

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  27. This is so amazing! I had no idea you could visit it up close like that!!! Thx for sharing!

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  28. So magical! Love your adventurous and beautiful life! And you too...of course! =)

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  29. Awesome beautiful photos, thanks for taking me along on the trip!

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  30. Awesome beautiful photos, thanks for taking me along on the trip!

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  31. Danni, such a lovely post and beautiful photos. I live in the UK but never been to visit, I didn't know your could, so was really interesting to read about your trip. I hope you don't mind but I shared some of your photos on my blog (linking back of course!) as I thought some of my readers would appreciate them too and your post. Thank you.

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  32. oh so jealous! :) Can't believe you actually got to visit the castle!!! Gorgeous pics too.

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  33. Looks like time could really slow down there. No, technology, even if you have a phone it looks like it would be out of a signal. Nice to be able to relax in a garden and eat some scones.

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  34. I live in a town near Highclere Castle (Newbury) and I really don't mean to burst any bubbles but most of the interior isn't actually filmed at the Castle it's done elsewhere... some place closer to London.

    But the castle is amazing and I recommend you to come in August and stay for the Battle Proms. Its a night of fireworks, classical musics, spitfigher planes. Bring your best crockery and table cloths and have a royal picnic.

    Also if you are in the area you can go to Bucklebury (20 minutes the other side of Newbury) and drink in the Pub Kate Middleton's parents drink in. It's very small but nice.

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  35. Wow, that is such an awesome setting! A great place get away from the fast paced life.

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/dukeofjahan

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  36. READ THIS BOOK! You would love it, promise - esp. since you've been to highclere castle. (jealous, by the way)

    http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/videos/Playing-the-Unplayable-Records.html

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Friends, Thank you so much for reading + supporting my blog, and for taking the time to leave me a comment. Your comment support truly means so much to me. Have a lovely day! xo, danni