How much does it cost to run Highclere Castle?

The television show has brought worldwide fame to Highclere Castle (which Lady Carnarvon's husband's family has owned since the late 17th century), especially among what she calls “lots of lovely Americans.” But the house costs $1.5 million a year to run, and it has not received the windfall that viewers of the show ...

How much is the upkeep of Highclere Castle?

The global popularity of "Downton Abbey" has provided a stream of visitors and much-needed income for renovations at Highclere, whose annual maintenance budget has been estimated at $1 million.

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.

How much would it cost to run Downton Abbey today?

One estimate found it would cost more than $8.3 million annually to pay for life at Downton Abbey. The backdrop for the international drama is also the real home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Take a look at what it could cost to live like the Earl of Grantham.

How much would it cost to run an estate like Downton Abbey?

Everyday repairs on your estate or castle will set you back another $100,000 a year or so. He said many clients spend $6 million to $8 million on renovations, though some spend much more. In the end, the total bill for keeping an estate is upwards of $1.5 million or more.

What is Highclere Castle? - The Real Downton Abbey

How many bedrooms are in Highclere Castle?

Highclere Castle sits on an estate that totals 6,000 acres. The castle covers 30,000 square feet and has a total of 300 rooms, with approximately 61 of these being bedrooms on the upper floors. Approximately 50 of those rooms were uninhabitable as of 2009.

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 much is Highclere worth?

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

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 does Downton get its money back?

In season 3, when Robert had bankrupted the estate, Matthew had inherited the vast fortune of Reggie Swire, and offered to give it to Robert (it had taken Matthew a while to accept the money) to save Downton.

Does Highclere Castle still have servants?

The jobs of many of the 1920s staff at Highclere castle, which serves as Downton Abbey in the show and film, still exist today, albeit in more modern forms.

Does anyone live at 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 the Crawley family worth?

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.

How much does it cost to maintain a castle?

It's not cheap to maintain a castle. Consider additional expenses like gardening, personnel, structural maintenance and heating and air-conditioning. As a ballpark estimate, assume these costs will run at least $5,000 to $10,000 a month.

How many acres does Highclere Castle have?

Highclere Castle is set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland, designed for the 1st Earl of Carnarvon by the famous 18th century landscape gardener "Capability" Brown.

Is Highclere Castle privately owned?

Highclere Castle, stately home in Hampshire, England, owned by the earls of Carnarvon. The castle has more than 200 rooms and stands on a tract of about 1,060 acres (430 hectares). It gained fame as the setting for the television series Downton Abbey (2010–15).

Did Lord Carnarvon make money from tomb?

They searched for Tutankhamun's tomb, in the hot dusty Valley of the Kings, for five years without finding anything. Lord Carnarvon ended up paying a lot of money to find the tomb.

Are Lord and Lady Carnarvon divorced?

Wilby and Princess Prospero Colonna di Stigliano (née Frances Loftus). They had two children before divorcing in 1998: Lady Saoirse Herbert (born 2 June 1991)

Who is the Earl of Highclere Castle?

The current holder is George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon.

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.

How much money did the Crawleys have in Downton Abbey?

According to the publication, if the Crawleys' property were real, it would be worth more than $179 million. If someone were to mortgage the property, after the standard 10% down, they'd be shelling out more than $500,000 per month for 25 years.

Who is the current Lady Carnarvon?

A former auditor for Coopers & Lybrand, Lady Fiona Carnarvon is the wife of George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon. Today, she manages affairs at Highclere Castle, the grand country house that worldwide television audiences recognize as Downton Abbey.

Is there a cafe at Highclere Castle?

Tearooms and Cafes

(Vegetarian and non-vegetarian). We also offer a wide variety of coffees, tea and soft drinks as well as a cocktail bar for memorable Highclere Castle Gin cocktails, wines and champagne.

Who has got married at Highclere Castle?

Lacey and Aaron hosted their wedding day at Highclere Castle, the real-life version of Downton Abbey. An Iron Age Hill Fort dominates the landscapes at Highclere and an early Anglo-Saxon charter suggests people have lived here for some 1300 years.

Where is the best place to get married in the UK?