Downton Abbey is a new ITV television series from England, which alas, we have not yet received on this side of the pond. Thankfully, we have this teaser to whet our appetites which is a "making of" piece by Helen James. It explains that Downton Abbey is an English Country Home, the seat of the Earl and Countess of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern). The Earl and Countess, otherwise known as Robert and Cora Crawley, are the head of this aristocratic family. Cora was an American heiress who marries into the English aristocracy, bringing her fortune to help sustain her husband's costly estate.
This Post-Edwardian drama begins in 1912 just after the sinking of the Titanic, and the first season ends at the beginning of the Great War. It is written by Julian Fellowes, who wrote the screenplay for Gosford Park, and has some similarities to that wonderful film, in that it has the contrast between the servants downstairs and the moneyed family upstairs, with the twist of having an American lady of the house.
Some standouts are Dame Maggie Smith, who plays Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Cora's mother-in-law), Hugh Bonneville as the Earl and Brendan Coyle, who plays John Bates, the newly hired valet who was injured in the Boer War.
Maggie Smith as Violet, the Dowager Countess
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, the Countess
Brendan Coyle as Bates the lame Valet
Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham
The location, also a standout, is Highclere Castle, in Hampshire England and the series is worth watching for the gorgeous scenery alone. The home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle is open to visitors during summer weekends and select holidays during the year. It is also available for weddings and events, presumably in order to assist the owners in the expensive upkeep of such a magnificent house and grounds. I'm sure the income from the filming of this series will help with a few repairs around the place too...
Highclere Castle with the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
If you want a taste of the actual series, my sister has informed me that it has been uploaded onto YouTube and the opening of the series can be found here. This link may not work down the road, as ITV may remove it from YouTube, but enjoy it while you can. My sis says the 10 minute bits are perfect for a lunchtime distraction, but are sort of like potato chips in that you may be unable to stop at one!
Longbourn, home of the Bennets from Pride and Prejudice
One of the most brilliant filming locations ever, is Luckington Court in Wiltshire, used in the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version of Pride and Prejudice from 1995. Grand enough to be a gentleman's home, but small and cozy enough to make us believe that the owner was not very wealthy and so might have had trouble giving his 5 daughters enough of a marriage settlement to entice suitors. This is one of those English country houses which actually looks quite livable. In fact it is still a family home, now rented out for functions such as weddings, receptions or tours such as the ones run by P&P Tours, who take fans of Period Drama to various filming locations such as this or to Mr. Darcy's Pemberley (and his "wet shirt" lake). When Helen Wilkinson of P&P Tours brings her groups to "Longbourn", many of the ladies who are fans of the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's classic will dress up in Regency attire to fully immerse themselves in the experience, especially if they are there for a Ball or a Regency dinner arranged by Helen for their enjoyment. This location is so familiar to so many fans of the BBC miniseries that many a heart will skip a beat when the garden gate comes into view, or the view of the house and church are first spied.
"Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"
I think that the fall is when I would most like to visit Luckington Court, as it was so beautiful in the verbal sparring scene, above, with Elizabeth and Lady Catherine, acted to such perfection by Jennifer Ehle and Barbara Leigh-Hunt.
Inside the house, it seems that enough of the interior is recognizable so that one can imagine Mrs. Bennet receiving gentle raillery from her husband.
"I have the utmost respect for your nerves. They've been my constant companion these twenty years."
One of my favorite "behind the scenes" stories from the filming was about the owner of Luckington Court, Mrs. Angela Horn, and how she was accommodated during the long shooting schedule. She was able to use the kitchen, the housekeeper's room and the nursery (!!), which were set aside and redecorated for her. She had lived in the house undisturbed for 40 years and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that she enjoyed a film crew of over 70 crawling over her property. "I will miss the film crew. They really were awfully nice. They became like a family. I cried at the thought of them leaving. It was like a ghost town when they went but I cheer up by reminding myself that I now have enough money to re-roof the west wing." -Quoted from The Making of Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, BBC books
Imagine, if you will, a tour which takes you to various filming locations of all of your favorite adaptations of Jane Austen novels such as P&P 1995 and S&S 1995. Imagine attending a Winter Ball at Longborn (pictured to the left) in full Regency dress if you wish. Then imagine, if you will, a tour group which goes the next step, and takes you to locations of other productions, such as North & South and Cranford. This brilliant tour company, called very appropriately, P&P Tours, may be your next vacation if this sounds like your cup of tea. If you want a taste of what they do, here is a link to a video of theirs which struts their stuff. They do things like visit the lake where Mr. Darcy dived in and gave us the memorable "wet shirt" scene. They will take you to Netherfield, Meryton and even Rosings and Hunsford Parsonage and combine it with talks from people actually involved in the filming of our favorite adaptations for some interesting personal anecdotes and inside scoops. Some upcoming events feature not only the Winter Ball and supper at Longborn, but also carriage rides and a visit to the Bath Christmas Fayre. Have I got your attention yet? Their "Box of Delights" tour in April features not only a visit to Longborn (P&P 95), but a visit to the Railway Station of the best kiss ever from North & South,
The Kiss from North & South
Helstone, Uppercross from Persuasion, Hollingford and Hamley Hall from Wives & Daughters, Hartfield from Emma 2009 (a favorite of mine, the gorgeous Squerryes Court) and Meryton/Cranford-same place! They even have a Miss Potter tour of the Lakes District and London in September 2011. Helen Porter and Maddy Hall run this amazing tour company, but word is they may only operate until 2012, so check it out now if this looks like your cup of tea. I'll leave you with one more image to tantalize you...
. Grand enough to be a gentleman's home, but small and cozy enough to make us believe that the owner was not very wealthy and so might have had trouble giving his 5 daughters enough of a marriage settlement to entice suitors. This is one of those English country houses which actually looks quite livable. In fact it is still a family home, now rented out for functions such as weddings, receptions or tours such as the ones run by 
, Penguin Books, BBC books
Imagine attending a Winter Ball at Longborn (pictured to the left) in full Regency dress if you wish. Then imagine, if you will, a tour group which goes the next step, and takes you to locations of other productions, such as 
and 
.
