The narrative offers an intimate glimpse into a historic country house, revealing the seasonal rhythms of life at Highclere. It highlights the intricacies of gardening, the joy of harvesting, the art of cooking, and the pleasures of entertaining, all through the perspective of the lady of the manor. This book is a celebration of the estate's rich traditions and the beauty of its landscape throughout the year.
Join Lady Carnarvon as she opens the Castle's gates to show how the iconic
British landmark celebrates and changes each season. This book reveals the
treasures within Highclere Castle's land and estates: Georgian architecture,
follies, secret gardens, the monks' garden, wildflower meadows and the woods
of enchantment.
Sometimes the facts are even more extraordinary than fiction. This narrative unfolds the life of Lady Catherine, an American beauty who became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the iconic setting of Downton Abbey. At just 20, Catherine captivated Lord Porchester, affectionately known as 'Porchey', at a ball in a pale yellow dress. Having rejected 14 marriage proposals, she finally wed Porchey in 1922. However, their bliss was short-lived; less than a year later, Porchey’s father passed away, thrusting him into the role of the 6th Earl of Carnarvon and changing their lives forever. Suddenly, Catherine was responsible for a large household staff and hosting extravagant events. Despite their love, the couple faced significant challenges, including the urgent need to save Highclere from crippling debts. As the 1920s came to a close, tragedy struck with the death of Catherine’s beloved brother, and she began to lose Porchey to the allure of London’s distractions. The onset of the Second World War marked a turning point, forever altering life at the Castle. Drawing from rich private archives and stunning period photographs, the current Countess of Carnarvon invites readers into the captivating world of the 'real Downton Abbey' and its remarkable residents.
The real-life inspiration and setting for the Emmy Award-winning Downton Abbey, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war. Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart, Lady Cora Crawley, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Alfred de Rothschild, who married his daughter off at a young age, her dowry serving as the crucial link in the effort to preserve the Earl of Carnarvon's ancestral home. Throwing open the doors of Highclere Castle to tend to the wounded of World War I, Lady Almina distinguished herself as a brave and remarkable woman. This rich tale contrasts the splendor of Edwardian life in a great house against the backdrop of the First World War and offers an inspiring and revealing picture of the woman at the center of the history of Highclere Castle.
