Highclere Castle

26/08/2026

The friendship of dogs is at the centre of my life ❤️ (apart from my son and husband of course!). They are very much at the heart of home here at Highclere (and Downton Abbey ) 🏰.

Dogs make a difference to our lives 🫶🏼. They teach us to love and be loved unconditionally, and we can just be ourselves with no fashionable front or style.

In a world in which we look at backlit screens all day long, dogs bring us back to the moment. They are good for our health and make us exercise- they are a reason to get up in the morning, to have a purpose and go on a walk 🚶‍♀️. They are devoted companions- even if we do not always deserve them. In return, we need to be responsible for them and look after them careafully. It is a shared journey and sharing is caring.

Happy International Dog Day 🐾

📸 thank you Peter Flude for the no.3 photograph 🙏

26/08/2026

What sad news 🤍 Like you, Dolly Parton has been a soundtrack for me through so much of my life. 

She stood there saying everything  was possible - to write songs, to sing, to be kind, to do things for others and she won our hearts with all that she  did. 

She wrote about the joy and the pain we all go through and she was so funny

She was a national treasure for her fellow countrymen but her music, her ethos and genuine kindness and curiosity a world wide  treasure  as well 

 

24/08/2026

What is it about our four legged friends that affects us so deeply?🐾 Perhaps it is the very obvious life lessons they teach us, not least to remember that each day is a good day and is best begun with a walk. Scooby doo was born here🏰.

Like any proper Labrador, breakfast has always been a very important way to begin each day and, followed by morning ablutions, sets every day off to a good start✨. Dogs offer us comfort, uncritical love and company during our daytime routines... 💕

Scooby has now crossed the rainbow bridge🌈 to meet his brother Alfie and his mother Bella. I miss him sitting under the autumn puddles, rolling in the fallen leaves, a hundred places I have walked with him and his wonderful wagging tail.

I have written more about our Scooby Doo in my blog- A tribute to Scooby 🐾🤍🪽

https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/blog/scooby-do

23/08/2026

Beginning in the year 1912, Downton Abbey took off into the elegance of Edwardian times and thus began our love affair in Edwardian times with this wonderful series ✨

It gave and still gives us all a glimpse into a world where great country houses like Highclere 🏰 operated with a particular ‘downstairs’ hierarchy. A Lady’s Maid, just like Anna, ranked towards the top✨. The housekeeper was in fact in overall charge of the domestic side of the household 🧹, but Anna as a Lady’s Maid , would become a close confidante to in this case Lady Mary Crawley 💕.

Anna embodied the role beautifully, from caring for Lady Mary’s wardrobe 👗, helping her dress, style her hair 🎀and much more. She was trusted with family secrets… 🤫Who remembers the scene with Mr Pamuk ? 👀

Joanne Froggatt brought the character of Anna Bates to life 🫶, she became a character who we all loved and cared for. Did you know that today is the real life Anna’s birthday? 🎂 We are wishing Joanne a very happy birthday 🎈 and thank her for her part and giving us such enjoyment of watching Downton Abbey! 📺

#1900

22/08/2026

There is something rather magical about seeing the castle after dark 🌙🏰. During the day, Highclere is full of life on the estate- whether from the lovely excited visitors, team Highclere, horses, dogs or the general rhythm of life 🫶🏼.

After the sun sets, it becomes much quieter and settles down with different sounds - sighs and creaks finding a much needed peace.

The grounds become quiet and I often hear an owl or see the swoosh of a bat between trees. There is something very beautiful about seeing old buildings at night time 🌌.

As I walk, I often imagine all of the people that have once walked these very paths, in different lifetimes 🤍

20/08/2026

A beautiful photo taken by our very own Head Butler Luis 🫶🏼🏰🧡

19/08/2026

During the time period of Downton Abbey , a butler was at the heart of running a household smoothly✨. Mr. Carson was kind, caring 🫶🏼, and in many ways very similar to the real butler here at Highclere, Luis. Although, as Luis himself says- Mr Carson was much taller than he! 🤣 Of course Luis is also from Portugal🇵🇹..Mr Carson was defilnitely from Yorkshire.😂

Mr Carson’s character and deportment also reflects the real Butler who was at Highclere 🏰during the same time period- Robert Taylor. He was a remarkable man who spent over 50 years at Highclere 🥰, and was much loved by the Carnarvon family.

Today is in fact, the real Mr Carson’s birthday (Jim Carter) so I thought it would be fun to share some of my favourite moments 🎞️. What are some of yours?

I am sure you will all join me in wishing Jim a very happy birthday!!🎂

17/08/2026

Is this one of the best and most favourite events ever?💫

Step 🔙 in time to the 1920s & 30s and immerse yourself in the real-life Downton Abbey set 🏰🎬 - I think you should practise your lines ✨

Enjoy the glamour and glitz of a past time👗. We will have prizes for the best dressed 💃, learn the Charleston and perhaps treat yourself to a traditional hairdo with the Vintage Victory Rollers pop up hair salon 💈.

Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea whilst discussing the age-old question… is it jam first of cream first?🍓🫖

After all, what is a weekend ?🤔 Comment ‘magic’ to find out more and play your character in the story

17/08/2026

Free to a new home 🏡🐴💕. Please send me a dm if you would like one (limited number available). 🥰

🏰Collection from Highclere Castle (please only collect if you have had a confirmation message from us) 🙏✨

We have sorted through our tack room and have a number of Saddle Racks to give away for free!! 🐴💕🫶🏼✨

Please send me a dm if you would like one (limited number available). 🥰

🏰Collection from Highclere Castle (please only collect if you have had a confirmation message from us)

16/08/2026

And Action! 🎬 Downton Abbey first arrived to start filming at Highclere 🏰 in 2010. I don’t think either we or our new partners had any idea what this collaboration would come to mean 🫶🏼✨and, what a marvellous journey would come to pass.

I wondered whether you knew these fun filming facts? 🔎 I love sharing them with friends and visitors who come to the Castle. So I thought it would be fun to share them with you too 🏰

There are many stories to be told 💕and some of which are in my latest book ‘A Year At Highclere’ 📚💫