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February 12, 2012

What is a weekend?

Fodor's offers suggestions for a weekend visit to Highclere Castle and nearby estates. Think of this as Downton (Casual mode).

With its self-confident Edwardian grandeur, Highclere Castle provides the perfect setting for Downton Abbey. Series writer Julian Fellowes knows the house’s owners, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and had the house in mind when creating the series.

The commanding tower and pinnacles are the work of Sir Charles Barry, the architect of London’s Houses of Parliament; the third Earl of Carnarvon commissioned Barry to transform the family’s Georgian house into a stylish neo-Gothic manor in the 1830s.

For true fans, there is also the opportunity to Die Hard your way through Downton Abbey (Challenge mode).

Fans of English history will leap at any chance to tour the country's stately homes - but a private one-on-one with a real-life Earl and Countess might just be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Of course, any such experience comes with a price. For GBP 7,900, guests can step into the shoes of a Downton Abbey cast member with a private day trip to Highclere Castle...

Your $12,500 day at Downton Abbey starts with tea and coffee in the morning room, where the eight Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. The Lord or Lady of the house will then give you a private tour of the house, treat you to lunch with wines from the Earl's cellar then it's off around the state in the Earl's 4x4 (I am assuming it's a Range Rover). I confess, as naff as it sounds, if I won the lottery last night, I'm in.

The Downton Abbey soundtrack is a good deal more affordable.

Interiors: Ten facts about Highclere Castle.

The current Lord and Lady Carnarvon (Geordie and Fiona to their friends) have discovered that allowing the cast and crew to infiltrate their home and grounds provides gains that are not merely financial.

“The best part has been sharing this romantic castle and home with so many people from around the world,” Lady Carnarvon said. “And ‘Downton’ has helped revitalize an interest in history.”

Also: England's best stately homes.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at February 12, 2012 10:57 AM