I have something a little different today.
During holiday periods my parents like to go on excursions to see the sights of the UK and last week my Mum was telling me about their latest trip to Highclere Castle in Hampshire. She told me about how amazing the architecture was, and how photographs inside the house were completely forbidden and... how other people on the trip were frolicking around pretending to be moody Lady Mary or Matthew Crawley...
It wasn't until this point that I realised where she was talking about! My parents had been to visit DOWNTON ABBEY!!!
This actually really confused me as Downton is set in Yorkshire (in the North) but filmed in Hampshire and Oxfordshire (in the South) but I can't really argue with filming locations of a TV show, especially one so grand as this.
I have spoken about my appreciation of Downton before on this blog, and I was so excited at this point and demanded to see pictures. I am lucky because my Mum is a really great photographer so I knew I could trust that her pictures would be fantastic, and indeed they were!
She agreed to let me share a few of them, it might show you Downton in a light you've not seen before:
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| I love the vapour trail in the background of this one, that wouldn't be allowed on the show (unlike plastic bottles)! |
They also went to Bampton a small village not too far away (although in a different county) and had a look at the now famous St. Mary's church where some of the characters in the show tied the knot *spoilers*!
Some of the streets around the church are used as scenery and sets for the show too and I think it looks pretty weird to see all the cars parked there.
If you like her photos, you can check out my Mum's instagram feed @JanetteWPhotos.
Hopefully one day I will get to go and see the inside of Highclere Castle too!
Have you ever been to the set of a TV show or film?
I went to Highclere before Downton became popular. It was lovely and quiet and we pretty much had the house to ourselves. It's a stunning place and I'd highly recommend you go there. I also drive through Bampton every day on my way to work and have often seen the film crew parked up blocking off roads they are filming in! Oh, and by the way, you can get married in Highclere!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fun drive to work, except for potential traffic. I'm definitely going to try and go to Highclere :)
DeleteOhhhhhh your mom is so lucky! I hope to go one day. I loved the photos-thank you for sharing! xox
ReplyDeleteI know!!! I want to go too, I think it can be a bit tricky to get tickets though.
DeleteHow cool!! And your mom really IS a spectacular photographer, these photos are beautiful! Would love to see a castle like this in real person one day :)
ReplyDeleteJessica
the.pyreflies.org
I will have to pass on your nice words to her :)
DeleteI just watched the "Secrets" episode on Highclere and I am dying to visit. Guess it's time to plan that trip to the UK I've been dreaming of.
ReplyDeleteMy mum said there were people from a few different countries on the tour. I think you have to wait for tickets to be released on certain dates so make sure your careful if you start planning.
DeleteI don't watch the show but I can appreciate great photos and settings!
ReplyDeleteHaha, there is a portion of me that only watches the show for the show and architecture.
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