Downton Abbey fans, here's your chance to live like the Crawleys this fall. The iconic estate house where the show and the upcoming movie is predominantly filmed is a real-life family home, called Highclere Castle. And come November, it will swing open its history-filled doors for only two lucky fans and put on the ultimate and most exclusive Downton Abbey experience.
The stay will include an extravagant dinner with the Earl and Countess Carnarvon who reside there as well as a private tour of some of the property's most iconic rooms.
That's not all. Airbnb shared the itinerary for the stay which begins with evening cocktails in the Saloon and a three-course dinner in the State Dining Room with the Earl and Countess (who also goes by Lady C). After dinner, coffee will be served in the Library before the guests retire to their bedrooms in one of the castle's many grand Gallery bedrooms, which comes with an ensuite bathroom and views over 1,000 acres of rolling parkland.
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Before departing the next day, guests will be served breakfast prior to a private tour of Highclere Castle’s extensive grounds. The Castle itself covers 100,000 square feet and has a total of 300 rooms. Throughout the property, the rooms are opulently decorated and furnished, with each detail providing a unique insight into Highclere Castle’s history. Fans will get the opportunity to explore iconic rooms, such as the Drawing Room, or relax in one of the Gallery bedrooms, following in the footsteps of kings and queens. All the while, having access to butler service.
While the castle grounds are open for tours during the summer, access throughout the year is rather limited so this is a very rare glimpse into the real castle that the series calls home.
Lady Carnarvon stated: “It’s an absolute privilege and pleasure to call Highclere Castle my home and I am delighted to be able to share it on Airbnb for a truly unique stay. Highclere Castle has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679 and has an incredibly rich history. I am passionate about the stories and heritage of Highclere Castle, and I am looking forward to welcoming our future guests.”
According to the Airbnb listing, house rules include:
- No smoking
- All newspapers must be ironed
- Strictly one butler per person
- Cocktail dress is de rigueur for dinner
- Gossip restricted to downstairs quarters only
- Listing is midweek because after all - ‘What is a weekend?’
Reservations will open on October 1 at 12 p.m. BST for $186/night and the overnight stay will take place on November 26.
