Downton Abbey Tour

Our tour group convened in London before setting off on what was deemed the "Downton Abbey Tour."  First the 16 of us met at Fortnum and Mason for a proper cream tea.

 

Our first museum with the group was the Victoria and Albert.  We had a museum expert guide us to only a small sampling of the vast collection.  Below is a ballroom from a great house reassembled inside the museum.

We toured impressive jewelry collections, furniture exhibits, and clothing presentations.  Some of the men commented it was a "chick museum."

Our group then convened for dinner at Simpson's, an old time traditional restaurant serving a saddle of beef.

Next, it was off to the theater to see "The Audience" about Queen Elizabeth's 20 minute weekly meeting with each prime minister.  Kristen Scott Thomas was superb.  The message was clear that the Queen is not allowed by the Constitution to express publicly opinions on matter of state.  Nevertheless, she does most discreetly express them to each prime minister in private.

Our first great house stop was Cliveden, the Astor's estate.  Nancy Astor and her husband, Americans,
renovated Cliveden and the gardens merited more time than the house itself.

A perfectly lovely British lunch was served in the Cliveden dining room.

Greystone Court had an ancient keep as well as a 17th century home in which Oliver Cromwell stayed.

Traveling onto Blenheim Palace was a highlight.  Ancestral home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill.

The tour operator arranged for the archivist historian of Blenheim to give us a lecture on Churchill.  Many details of his life previously unknown to us were disclosed.  Below is his tomb

In the quite small family cemetery plot is the grave of Consuelo Vanderbilt, once married to Winston's cousin, the Duke of Marlborough, nicknamed "Sunny" (but he was not).  Her American fortune was used to restore Blenheim after Sunny's father consumed the family fortune and sold off its treasures.

An interesting place to stop for tea was a little inn once occupied by a family with 6 beautiful daughters who made their mark on society and politics.

Next was Bampton, the town used for outdoor shots for "Downton Abbey."  The locals told us the actors were incredibly polite and nice, even after waiting for hours in heavy costumes for a few minutes of actual shooting time.

The producers donated a library to the town

Our stay at Tylney Hall was luxurious

A visit to the Great Hall at Winchester did not disappoint.

Hanging on the wall is THE ROUND TABLE OF KING ARTHUR

Queen Victoria, whose reign as the longest serving English monarch was just surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II.

The trial of Sir Walter Raleigh was held in the Great Hall

Jane Austen is buried inside Winchester Cathedral.  Yes, it wasn't just a song - there exists a huge cathedral with many figures of history entombed.

Alfred successfully defended his kingdom against the Viking attempt at conquest, and by the time of his death had become the dominant ruler in England. He is one of only two English monarchs to be given the epithet "the Great".

Then during our stay in England, Princess Charlotte was born and all were agog.

Finally, we arrived at Highclere Castle, the location of the filming of Downton Abbey and home of Lord Grantham.

For those of you have not read the book "Lady Almina" about the real Lord and Lady Carnarvon, she was the illegitimate daughter of the English Rothschild banker.  Her father used his wealth to marry her off to the Earl, who desperately needed the funds for the estate.  They had a good marriage on all accounts.  He financed the expedition that discovered King Tut's Tomb and spent much time in Egypt.  Like Downton Abbey, Alimina turned Highclere into a hospital in WWI.  Also, like Matthew Crawley, Lord Carnarvon had a horrific auto accident when vehicles were a new toy for the rich.  Unlike Matthew he did not die.  His recovery was long and difficult.

Our adieu to England and to our group was a farewell dinner at Tylney Hall.  The hotel is set in 66 acres of Hampshire countryside.

Another memorable trip filled with historical knowledge.