Do estates like Downton Abbey still exist?

Downton Abbey was stuffed with staff such as Mr Carson and Mrs Patmore, but, today, our estates employ far fewer people who perform multiple roles. Rupert Clark of Savills offers support and advice to estate owners, including the Carnarvon family at Highclere Castle, the primary location for Downton Abbey.

Do any houses like Downton Abbey still exist?

The stately home at the end of a sweeping drive, framed by majestic ancient trees in the hero shots of every Downton Abbey show, is the real-life Highclere Castle in Berkshire (pictured, top).

Are there any estates left in England?

But, over the past two centuries, thousands of country houses have been torn down. "There were almost 5,000 mansions at their mid 19th century peak, but that number has almost halved -- only about 3,000 remain today."

When did houses like Downton Abbey stop?

From the 1920s-1960s scores of such stately homes were simply torn down. Dozens of grand country homes were gradually ceded to the National Trust, who do a monumental job of conserving them for the nation.

What happened to the large estates like Downton Abbey?

Few of these estates fell directly due to the carnage of World War I. Panshanger, in Herefordshire, was sold after two sons died in the war and the third in a subsequent car crash. Many others simply could not be maintained anymore, and could not find buyers.

The Real Downton Abbey

Do the landed gentry still exist?

In the 21st century, the term "landed gentry" is still used, as the landowning class still exists, but it increasingly refers more to historic than to current landed wealth or property in a family.

Does England still have aristocracy?

On average, Britain's 600 or so aristocratic families are now as wealthy as their Victorian forebears at the height of Britain's imperial expansion. The ten largest aristocratic personal fortunes left in the last decade add up to £1.06bn when adjusted to reflect current purchasing power.

Does anyone live in Highclere Castle?

The current (8th) Earl of Carnarvon lives in Highclere Castle with the Countess, his wife, during the winter months. They return to their cottage during the summer when the castle is open to the public and tours are going on.

How much is Highclere Castle worth?

mortgage experts say Highclere is valued at about 72 million British pounds, — or about $95 million dollars.

How much does Downton Abbey pay to use Highclere Castle?

In 2013, the New York Times wrote that it costs $1.5 million a year to run Highclere Castle. The Countess has done everything she can to make sure the estate continues to rake in that amount. With the help of Downton, they're on a steady course for being financially stable for years to come.

Who owns the real Downton Abbey?

Today, Highclere is home to George Herbert and his wife Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Lord and Lady Carnarvon), owners of the 'real' Downton Abbey house.

Are there still servants?

A recent study conducted by Wetherell, a real estate agent to the megarich, revealed that there are more servants working in the tony Mayfair section of London than there were 200 years ago. Ninety percent of the 4,500 residents who own houses, and 80 percent of apartment-dwellers have servants.

What is the largest private home in England?

Both the largest and the longest privately owned house in the UK is Wentworth Woodhouse in Wentworth, near to Rotherham. It has 250,000 square foot or 23,000 square metres of floor space, which is some going, considering that the average UK property has around 97 square metres.

Are there still butlers?

Thirty-five years ago, there were only a few hundred butlers left in Britain; today there are roughly 10,000, plus thousands more abroad, including the fastest-growing butler market of them all, China.

Is there a real Lord Grantham?

Earl of Grantham is a fictional title in the peerage of Great Britain. As of 1920, the current holder of the title is Robert Crawley. The Earl is addressed as "Lord Grantham" and the Countess as "Lady Grantham". The seat of the Earls of Grantham is Downton Abbey in Downton, Yorkshire.

Why doesn't Lady Edith have a maid?

Maybe Edith's lady's maid is new and she doesn't quite trust her to do her best when she's going to be seeing the King and Queen. So Edith gave her lady's maid time off for the duration of Edith's trip to Downton.

Who will inherit Highclere Castle?

His eldest son Lord Porchester will inherit the Highclere estate after the Earl's death. His second wife Fiona Carnarvon is a former accountant with Coopers & Lybrand and is the eldest of six sisters.

How much does it cost to get married at Highclere?

Weddings at Highclere begin at $25,000; the library seats 100 people for dinner, and afternoon tea can be served for 150.

How rich are the Crawleys?

The Crawley family is excessively rich, with Forbes including the patriarch Robert Crawley's net worth at $1.1 billion on its “Fictional 15” list. The huge popularity of the show has also brought the cast members wealth and success.

Does Lord Grantham have an illegitimate child?

Cora decides who's inheriting – and it's not Lady Mary's son

She knows that Thomas is the illegitimate son of O'Brien and Lord Grantham – and the rightful heir to the house. She knows it will kill her husband to see an illegitimate child inherit Downton Abbey and she has waited a long time for this moment.

How much does it cost to stay at Downton Abbey?

The cost of a night's stay at Highclere Castle is $186.36. The reservation is first come, first served.

Does the Crawley family still own Downton Abbey?

The Crawleys are a wealthy aristocratic family who live in and hold rights to the Downton Abbey estate (which they have held since at least 1772, when the 1st Earl of Grantham was raised to the earldom). The subsidiary title of the Earl of Grantham is Viscount Downton.

What is the oldest aristocratic family in England?

Earl of Arundel is a title of nobility in England, and one of the oldest extant in the English peerage. It is currently held by the Duke of Norfolk, and is used (along with the Earl of Surrey) by his heir apparent as a courtesy title.

Do Earls still exist?

At present there are 191 earls (not including the Earl of Wessex and courtesy earldoms), and four countesses in their own right. The premier earl of England and Ireland is the Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford (created 1442). The premier earl on the Union Roll is the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres (created 1398).

Do Lords and ladies still exist?

Hereditary peers are those whose right to sit in the Lords is due to their title being inherited from their fathers (or, much less frequently, their mothers). Currently, there are 814 hereditary peers although only 92 can sit in the Lords at any one time.