The Real Downton Abbey

The popular PBS series "Downton Abbey" has taken the U.S. by storm. But there's a real story behind the castle where the TV show is filmed. Martha Teichner visits Highclere Castle.

[@danieldunlap4077]

I made the mistake of wondering why this show is so popular by watching the first episode. Now I can't get enough of it

[@dianesterns4961]

Daniel Dunlap the second season is the best to me. Loved this show.

[@danieldunlap4077]

@@dianesterns4961 3rd season is my favorite. My least favorite is season 4 but it was still a really good season. Fifth is my second favorite. I tend to not like last season's of a show because I know that the show is ending, even though the sixth season was amazing.

[@violetaoropeza7941]

Daniel Dunlap sameeeeeeee

[@gledwood9108]

Downton Abbey is a weird mixture of well-researched and ridiculous. For example in real life I don't think Mrs Patmore the unmarried cook would understand or accept that Thomas the footman was gay. So the story about Daisy the kitchen maid being strung along by him just wasn't realistic. (Where everyone except Daisy sees that he is stringing her along.) Even if Mrs Patmore had understood that Thomas was gay, she would most probably have said, "Oh, he just hasn't found the right girl yet." And tried to push him and Daisy together! As for Thomas, if he had been anything other than super-discreet about his activities, which were totally illegal in the Downton Abbey era, he would have got thrown out on his ear. That's how things were back then.

[@tallandhandsome29]

Snap!

[@shadrach6299]

I’m so glad the owners have restored and maintained the house. It is a piece of history.

[@ruthgraham6131]

I FOUND A FULL TAPE AT A THRIFT STORE OF THE NEW OWNERS OF THE CASTLE AND THEY TALK ABOUT ITS HISTRY AN HOW THEY LIVE IN IT NOW AND SPEND ALL THEIR OWN MONEY TO HELP RESTORE IT AN SHOWES THE REAL STAFF NOW/THE 2 COOKS TELL ABOUT WHAT THEY MAKE FOR THE NEW LADY ANDORD TO EAT TODAY/SHOWES THE STABLES/TACK ROOM AN MOST OF DOWNTOWN ABBEY INSIDE /THEY SAID IT COST ONE MILLION A YEAR TO KEEP UP AND IT LOOKS LOVELY TODAY.Y CAN TELL THE LORD IS FROM ROYALITY BUT THEADY HE MARRIED ISN'T BUT SHES LOVELY AN A SWEET KIND PERSON AND SPEAKS VERY WELL OF HER ROYAL HUSBAND.

[@Lorabliss]

@@ruthgraham6131 The lady definitely is not from the Royalty. She looks like the cheeky made from season 6 Episode 1, who tried to blackmail Lady Mary.😄

[@Robert08010]

I love that its not just MOVIE magic!

[@kcdrew69]

I wish they'd do a documentary on how the actual staff of these homes lived and were treated.

[@maapnijjarr14]

there are. search for real Downton Abbey, there is a woman professor talking on it

[@maapnijjarr14]

and its severe n more inhumane

[@kcdrew69]

+Maandeep Lady Minerva I did find it, thank you.

[@anaiglesias9972]

Kevin E I saw documentary in youtube about that. it was a 3 part documentary , started in the XIX century with glims on how service was before then and finish in our current ave.

[@mckavitt13]

Kevin E If you watch the British tv series Upstairs, Downstairs, you will get a good & v entertaining idea. I strongly recommend it.

[@azabujuban-hito8085]

I love the look on Maggie Smith's face when Shirley McLaine singing..😀😀😀

[@MariahBunni]

Shirley Mclaine: (sings) Maggie Smith: (full sass mode ON)

[@karolinesmith6119]

I fell off my chair lol

[@creeklodge1186]

@@MariahBunni hilarious- Maggie Smith can definitely throw some shade

[@asadhussain5573]

She has expressions for every thing...

[@donaldkane1714]

Shirley Mclaine is a wonderful actress, but she should not have been allowed to portray the American relative in such an obnoxious manner

[@dianaalferos6153]

I visited Highclere two years ago. It was March and the house opened up for just a couple of visits before the normal tourist season. The Countess came down and welcomed us to the house. If you visit, be sure to have time to walk the grounds. Absolutely beautiful....Wonderful memories

[@ladyinred3735]

If I were there I would have mistakenly called her Lady Grantham!!!

[@jethrojackson2524]

Downton Abbey was the VERY BEST TV series ever!!! I couldn't get enough of it. Brilliant in every way possible.

[@Robert08010]

For some reason I can't explain, I always feel like I've done something important after watching it.

[@ocachisu]

The castle was falling apart and the owners couldn't afford to care for it. It was the success of *Downton Abbey that gave the castle life again. (*This is why I turned Autocorrect off).

[@toniferrell6122]

ocachisu

[@marigeobrien]

They were struggling, yes. But they had already begun opening it to the public and offering it as a special event venue. But Downton Abbey gave it a very big boost. Plus, the revenue from the show itself (they were paid to use the castle for the location, of course) helped them restore many of the rooms.

[@evelynfarland2337]

Toni Ferrell

[@onemanenclave]

Weebs DansGame

[@gerardcollins6621]

The beautiful unsung truth of what Downton abbey really means.

[@ciarel]

Their dog was actually called Isis because of that Highclere’s connection to Egyptology.

[@annewren8845]

Unfortunately Isis had to “disappear’ because of political complications due to his name, 😔

[@glen7318]

Isis was a her.. and Im sure she died off just to give Robert a storyline.

[@lapofassetta459]

Wasn’t her name Iris?

[@waalter]

@@annewren8845 not true, it was just old

[@evelien135]

@@lapofassetta459 her name was Isis. But also, she was a grown dog in season one and in season 5 more then 10 years have passed.

[@1CelloOne]

In my opinion, Downton Abbey is simply, the finest TV show, EVER! Julian Fellowes did a superb job writing all 16 characters' scripts. Julian is an outstanding writer! Julian, and all the people behind the scenes, behind the camera, and in front of the camera, created a masterpiece!

[@konijntje3637]

Just please PLEASE bring Downton Abbey back!

[@Arkthus]

Movie in september 2019 ;)

[@alissarowell5121]

And new movie coming out this christmas !

[@barbiechyqa9192]

I want to see the lives of Master George and Sybil and Marigold. Thomas will be there too of course as a trusted butler

[@mariandeguzman4882]

@@barbiechyqa9192 Yesss me too 😩

[@nixbronowski5822]

The fact Lord Carnarvon funded the Tutankhamun Expidition just makes it more Fascinating.

[@samanthab1923]

Nicholas Milstead When he died from an infected insect bite in Cairo all the lights in the city dimmed. His dog back home in England howled at the moment of his death.

[@blkdiamond7227]

Glorified Tomb raiders... disgusting

[@murieltainter5936]

@@blkdiamond7227 Someone is always taking what is not theirs.

[@veronicaortiz9677]

They were glorified tomb raiders. What they uncovered added to our knowledge in history. NOW we live in a society were things must be done properly & historical artifacts should be returned to the county they belong to, out if respect.

[@MD-lu3wu]

.

[@sharonheard9918]

I binge watched all 6 seasons and the first movie over the recent 4th of July weekend. I wish there was more. This is one of those series that you just don't want to end. A great ensemble cast. Can't say enough about Dame Maggie Smith. I've been a fan for years. Now I hear that the second movie won't be released until '22. Thank you for the backstory on the real Abby. I wish I could visit. Happy they are able to restore it to it's glory.

[@PichuElric]

THERE'S A SECOND MOVIE DUE?!

[@howdy2764]

the second movie just came out last friday !

[@howdy2764]

@@PichuElric yes it came out last friday

[@oshynclair7592]

Well here we are...2022

[@nandakishoren2138]

W-O-AAA-W! All of it makes the serial Downton Abbey much more incredibly real.

[@jamesgrovesmd]

You have to wait till

[@chloek7573]

@@jamesgrovesmd wait till what?.... wait till you finish your sentence after 9 months?

[@aidie2311]

The dog is lucky. One of the stars in DA and in reality one of the occupants of the castle.

[@flyboy152]

The dog with the countess is not the dog that plays Isis. They look a lot alike, both being yellow labs, but acting dogs require special training. The dog in the video is a pet.

[@md61211]

And did you notice that despite all the fashion changes over the decades, the dogs' fashion stayed the same?

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

Oh so the dog belongs to the family. Such a lovely touch

[@nabilayari9496]

One of the best series of the century

[@kennyallison3364]

My wife and I cannot get enough of it, we absolutely love Downton Abbey bought it about 5 years ago and watch it daily. My wife always watched it on PBS and I would give her a hard time until I watched it then we bought it and now we watch it daily and absolutely love it

[@philiphema2678]

The reason Highclere is so magnificent is that it is of a whole! I realised after watching docs on great houses of England that many are a mish-mash of styles, reflective of the whims of succeeding generations. Highclere is, as I mentioned, not given to such whimsy. But, oh dear, a tomb raider? Aristocratic privilege and entitlement of a by-gone era.❤❤❤

[@tylerthompson9822]

"Nothing exceeds like excess"- love it👑❤️

[@RoLoBuRnEr]

Hate to be the “actually…” person 😅 but the correct line is “Nothing SUCCEEDS like excess.” 👑 💜

[@ShadowkoiDragonMaster2791]

This was such a great series,& wish they could do more.

[@susanjordan5949]

I was walking through the room where someone was watching Downton Abbey and stopped for a few seconds. That was all it took. I was hooked and I am just now getting to watch the last two seasons and hopefully the movie. I love it!

[@jebbie2595]

*Absolutely gorgeous! Oh, how I'd love to see it in person! Downton Abbey was such an outstanding series; I have every season on DVD & have watched it several times. Love it. I can't wait until the Downton Abbey movie is released this fall!*

[@jankitteringham8483]

Jebbie I visited last week, totally beautiful, and still a cosy home. Unpretentious. Loved every minure! 😊

[@jen0718]

I visited Highclere Castle in 2016. I’m so glad that Downton Abbey has been a source of revenue to upkeep this beautiful home & property.

[@robert-pj3bc]

I was there in 2019. I met the Countess. She was lovely. Just a chance meeting in the Egypt museum.

[@stevegrooms1142]

This is a small matter, but people who know dogs would notice that the Labrador follows the lady of the place just behind her as she descends the stairs. That is an example of good manners, and relatively few dogs have been trained to be so polite.

[@floralbeautyful]

@Wilhelm Geisler dogs are such a blessing.

[@gillkolby1971]

That’s great that it is open to tourism and the real Earl is able to preserve his legacy

[@yao1945]

I watched this show over and over again for 5 times, not only to watch the beautiful story,but also to enjoy the beautiful English in Shakespeare’s style. Nobody talk like that way anymore,what a pity ！

[@aaronobryan9715]

It’s amazing and very admirable that such history is being preserved so incredibly well..

[@deliabianco5259]

Thank you for restoring the castle back. Thank you for sharing it with us. Thanks to BBS for filming it. I was a late comer to the series, so I had the back track on it all. I'm on my 3rd round of watching, and it just gets better with time.

[@shadrach6299]

I love old homes and the diaries of the day to day lives of the occupants.

[@bellarosa009]

I finally watched the series and just loved it! So many great storylines, beautiful costumes and interior/exterior sets, and great acting.

[@lilithbrantley4930]

I loved this series! It was good clean entertainment. I enjoy British TV ❣️

[@jackflash743]

Yes and no filthy swearing in it. Like most of the dramas and comedy etc on TV

[@smartfart9003]

The entertainment industry really should take the hint of its success and do more shows that are low on vulgarity and violence. This coming from a guy who's no prude at all. It was extremely enjoyable.

[@dalusgembalus]

One of my dreams is to visit Highclere Castle 😩😩

[@cassieearle9196]

i want to visit highclere castle and chatsworth.

[@angelamary9493]

I live in the UK ..went there with my sister to explore the Castle and grounds ..it's lovely ..walked down the big Staircase ..it's lovely 💕

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

One of the most beautiful houses in the world. Truly stunning.

[@simpaticaism]

Thank you for this footage , what a history, wonderful ......hats off to this young couple who have saved it for millions to enjoy !

[@trishradloff8817]

I just Binge watched all 6 seasons. Benefits of Lockdown. Tomorrow I will watch the new Movie.

[@gnedsu]

Me too

[@saramas8718]

Me too

[@MrAyansaha]

Where can I see the movie?

[@user-bf7bp2ox5z]

Movies AMAZING

[@trishradloff8817]

@@GuacamoleyNacho my husband purchased the box set for me.

[@veronicamwarren5750]

Just finished binge watching Downton Abbey this week. I didn't see the last 2 seasons when it was originally on. This was such a good show. Now I have to watch the movie.

[@mjkay8660]

i enjoy the master craftsmanship of the woodwork & moldings the exquisite tapestries

[@comet1996]

Wonderful interview, tour and information on Highclere Castle

[@janejones7638]

Glad this was aired. As a history major, I knew of the Carnarvons. Because of the expedition to Egypt and finding the tomb of King Tut, of course.

[@Edubarca46]

From Colombia, we love Downton Abbey, We love the castle, the members of the Crawley family specially the Dowager Countess Violet, Lady Mary and Lady Cora and all the rest of the people involved in this extraordinary series and films. And we also love Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, Mr. Carson and the rest of the staff.

[@gailwebb9619]

Love Downton Abbey and am looking forward to a future trip to tour the castle!

[@claudeleguellec407]

J'ai besoin de savoir si il y aura une suite à cette série. J'ai tellement aimé passionnément cette histoire. Vos acteurs sont magnifiques et plus que crédibles. Les scénarios sont ficelé comme des bouquets de fleurs. Grandiose ! 🤗

[@evelynbagnasco7293]

Thank you. I am happy that the family has found a great way to ensure the future of this beautiful castle.

[@kristunthuntsi2145]

Wow I love Downton Abbey and this has been very interesting to learn. Would love to visit one day.

[@EuroKitty33]

if you are a fan of Jeeves and Wooster, you recognized this house from many seasons of that British series from decades ago!

[@QUARTERMASTEREMI6]

This is so late, but yes, that is where I first recognised this house, then came Downtown!

[@anne5285]

Watched this TV series many times. One of my favorite TV series！

[@gabriellacanuti3469]

Veramente bello fatto bene lo si guarda entrando negli episodi e partecipando ai sentimenti di tutti i protagonisti. Spero di vedere ancora tanti episodi nuovi. Grazie

[@judycastil1814]

Just fantastic! Thank you for sharing your home! Well done business wise xx

[@raew5263]

A grand home deserves to be preserved. Win-win when the show turned up. 👍

[@emeraldderrick5746]

I visited this castle and had tea there. What an enjoyable day!!

[@manichairdo9265]

Fascinating. Watching this because I have started to watch Downton Abbey thanks to my American friends raving about it over the years.

[@eli92]

Love this story, love the house love Downton Abbey. Can’t wait to visit it in person.

[@margaretpalmer6538]

Love this lovely old home......so much history.❤️

[@clah399]

It was not only a house but an amazing way of life that few experience.

[@dianeveilleux6452]

Excellent little history lesson. Thank you.

[@sarakeith5480]

So beautiful!! I love history!! Thank you!!

[@albamoreraa9682]

Impactante historia que me tiene fascinada!! Los escenarios, filmaciones, los actores, las costumbres, absolutamente todo me tiene impactada!!!!

[@jamiecee4960]

Love the Library of that Castle. The whole place is Gorgeous. What a place to visit.

[@perrypunyawatchara661]

The Downton Abbey movies 2019 actually follows the real events that have happened! The royal visit!

[@sweetjoker0813]

Whoah

[@jamessidebottom5868]

A beautiful Building and Castle Magnificent and graceful in its on right long live Highclere Castle and may it be preserved for future generations to come and enjoyed a national treasure!

[@skychaserA330]

We are missing Downton Abbey

[@Frank-ec6ko]

I loved watching the series. Unfortunately, its no long a series. The two movies were splendid and I hope there will be a third soon.

[@MicaRayan]

What a dreamy castle! It fascinating to play hide and seek when kid - very spacious and beautiful.

[@Robert08010]

I love that tinge of reality - both that the series included them opening the house to the public for a tour and that they included renting the house out to a movie company. Sort of a meta moment there.

[@msairs]

wow i want to visit. such rich history! glad they opened up the house to let folks like us see the beauty of it.

[@neetachabukswar7430]

Totally loved downton abbey..binge watched in a week..it brought alive in reality my fantasy of living in a castle 🤗

[@coerdelion13]

My family has had a story like that of Downton Abbey.. But the difference was that my father passed away while I was still a minor..I was supposed to be the legal heir of things, including the ancestral house, but was not allowed to decide things over since I wasn't of age yet.. My mum was the one who decided things and she simply thought of starting a new life and sold the house :( :( :( If I were old enough then to be allowed to decide, I would be like the Crawleys who never give up and do everything to keep their ancestral house..

[@racatkns9977]

That's a shame. :(

[@rachelclark7782]

+Chivalry Wraith My ancestral home is Alton Towers. It breaks my heart to see it as a theme park. So disrespectful

[@maapnijjarr14]

oh dear, I dream to be an aristocrat n have an ancestral home

[@judithkennedy5105]

Chivalry Wright u

[@horatiohuskisson5471]

Can you ever forgive your mother for such a betrayal?

[@christinaloveless4429]

I love this show. I really want to go and visit it someday!

[@ahexcuseme6936]

Excited for the film in Sept of this year!

[@marigeobrien]

Lovely. There's also a full length (54 minute) documentary about Highclere Castle that's very good.

[@ruthgraham6131]

I have it its great

[@marigeobrien]

@@ariellakohn2879 -- I'm sorry. KZbin doesn't allow anyone to post a link. Try doing a search for "Highclere Castle" in the KZbin search bar, above, and watch the time count for "54 minutes" (or so.)

[@shashankkaveti6894]

I’ll be honest: I don’t watch serials, but this one had me hooked!!!

[@Jesusmaestroyamigo]

I loved "Downton Abbey" when it was broadcasted on TV by 2011. Now it's become a film, with King George V and Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II's grandparents, visiting the castle!

[@blkdiamond7227]

Imagine going to someone else’s land breaking into the tombs of their royalty and stealing their scared artefacts... Glorified tomb raiders No shame. God forbid anyone was to do that to the precious British royal family.

[@hblask4192]

You know that egyptian them self used to break into those tombs and sells artifacts and mommies. Many even used secret passages digged under Cairo 'houses for that? Their is a lot of old picture of mommies sellers in Cairo's streets. They were sold to make cosmetics, for "magie" and lots of other reasons... At least the british protected those artifacts into private or public museums.

[@heneralantonioluna8725]

@@hblask4192 mummies were used for paint

[@hblask4192]

@Terry's SW Golf Emporium I know, and I always loved to visit those museum, I was talking about how it worked during this time, not now :) And for more rescent discoveries I hate that some of them don't end up in Egyptians's museum...

[@itsthehumor95]

My thoughts exactly. They stay stealing.

[@TheRCPLANE]

@@itsthehumor95 View it for what it is, and you will have less hatred.

[@tammyjohnson7401]

I love these types of shows, unattainable for me but so much history and stories. 🤗

[@the8thchurch461]

Tammy please don't say "unattainable". Its not over until the fat lady sings. The upper classes are there to inspire and shape society, hence the Royal Family. They are not just there to decorate.

[@juliam.mallen3181]

Very interesting history Very noble of this couple to dedicate their time and energy to preserve such a huge responsibility of great substance.

[@norafraker9454]

This is beautiful and fascinating!

[@carlm4628]

I was expecting her ladyship to be extremely stuck up! However I was pleasantly suprised how down to earth she is and just seems a really lovey lady. Thank you lady carnarvon.

[@adambohman6405]

Quite the change from the situation the estate was in during the early 1990's documentary. Good to see!

[@szimari]

It was very interesting! I like Downton Abbey series.

[@ladymorgaine76]

In Herefordshire there are actually two properties that are called Downton Castle and Downton Hall!

[@allancuseo7431]

So glad this was posted

[@gerardcollins80]

Came for Downton Abbey, stayed for the history.

[@bertodlp8810]

What beautiful story!

[@croccatcher]

I've just finished watching all of downtown Abbey, I love history, this video very interesting

[@ceciliawhite9606]

I watch this show just about every day. ❤❤

[@the8thchurch461]

Me too, its my daily fix!

[@graceohagan9656]

On the bit where they show the real servants from years ago the headmaid looks really like ms hughes😮

[@Melissavisuals]

Wow! I'd like to watch a drama based in the REAL story! Amazing!!

[@desi_traveller_tales]

This is the no. 1 place on the list of places I’m gonna visit when in England ❤️

[@ronaldfragale3950]

Anxiously waiting for more of Downton Abby.

[@glen7318]

Its finished

[@robertw.1004]

Love the Downton Abbey pieces.

[@mariavalescabittencourtcam3204]

Uma das séries mais lindas que assisti! Maravilhosa, já estou com saudade 😞😞😞

[@martinclail9290]

No mention of Highclere thorough bred racing which is also based on the estate. Went there in October with a friend as he was buying into a syndicate and we had refreshments in the castle. Really nice people and Harry Herbert, Lord Carnarvon's brother is an absolute gentleman.

[@ozuzumaki]

why didn't they include the Toutankhamon story in Downtown show?...it would have been epic.

[@gordonsmith8899]

+Oswaldo Jimenez perhaps because the family living at "Downton Abbey" didn't have anything to do with the Tutankhamen story.

[@selimelgarhy2090]

Oswaldo Jimenez there's actually a drama tv series that talks about lord carnavon and howard carter in the egyptian revolution on ITV: "tutankhamen".

[@Geellun]

That’s why his dogs had Egyptian names

[@nicolefisher4779]

James King mind blown! Nice settle way to pay homage to the real owners family history.

[@gerardcollins6621]

@@Geellun Gotta love the nod towards Highclear Castles real history lol.

[@julieisaacson610]

Watching Downton made me realize how much I do to run my home. I am the cook, chauffeur, nanny, valet, maid, gardener, and butler in addition to working.

[@annko6570]

I love the video! Thank you!

[@judyortiz4006]

Wonderful, informative video. I enjoyed it very much

[@robert-pj3bc]

The trees on the Estate are fabulous!

[@loraj.5065]

The best show ever..... I was hooked in the first 5 minutes. Can't believe they didn't make more seasons.

[@the8thchurch461]

The powers that be want to dumb down society and make us aim lower. A show like Downton Abbey is very inspiration and can make people dream bid so no. It had to go. Somebody said as much and I completely got it. The individual said she used to really do aim high and it raised her standards in her home. Her dining became a very serious affair and that is something to celebrate.

[@daddymuqtada6428]

I'm so glad someone is taking care of it

[@darlenel9226]

Wonderful video!