Highclere Castle

“I think accepting change is quite as important as defending the past.”
— Cora, Lady Grantham, Downton Abbey, Season 3

Highclere Castle's Gothic Entrance Hall with its graceful columns and impressive vaulting make it quite unlike any other room at Highclere. It is believed that it was designed in 1870 by George Gilbert Scott who also designed the Albert Memorial and St Pancras Station in London.

Who will be joining Lady Carnarvon on the famous red sofa for her latest podcast?

https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

In January 1606, British parliament established November 5th as a day of public thanksgiving as a continuous reminder of the thwarted Gunpowder plot. Fireworks are symbolic of the explosives that were never used and we do enjoy a good firework display - especially as part of Battle Proms Concerts

Many of the external paint colours have also been harmonised and we have begun to paint some drainpipes and hoppers a wonderful colour appropriately called Downpipe. - Lady Carnarvon.

https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/downpipe/

On the 4th November 1922, Howard Carter wrote in his diary, "First Steps found." Three weeks later, Lord Carnarvon joined him in Egypt and together they discovered wonderful things.

https://www.cruiseandtravel.co.uk/100-year-anniversary-tutankhamun-tomb-interview-lord-carnarvon/

In the Morning Room at Highclere Castle you will find one of the rarest pieces of furniture in the house. The bureau on the right is made of Kingswood in 1765 by Pierre Langlois. Commissions enjoyed by Langlois included the Royal family, the Dukes of Northumberland and Bedford, the Earl of Coventry and the Marquis of Zetland.

Geoffrey de Havilland had a hanger just in front of Beacon Hill - roughly 2 miles from the Castle's front door - where he created his first aeroplane using piano wire and bicycle tyres. I wonder how he would feel seeing his Tigermoth soar above the Castle?

"November's sky is chill an drear, November's life is red and sear." — Sir Walter Scott
Hello November!

Most of the staff at Highclere have a ghost story or two, One says they regularly hear footsteps walking along a corridor when locking up at night. Another makes sure to let any new staff know about the ghost behind the old tower door. You must knock before going on up to give him time to leave. Have you had any ghostly encounters?

Who has Halloween party plans and will this be on your menu?

Witch’s Brew 🧙‍♀️
by

• 2 oz Highclere Castle Gin
• 5 fresh or frozen raspberries
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz orgeat
• 0.5 oz egg white (half an egg white)
• 0.25 oz raspberry syrup (or) spoonful of raspberry jam
• Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice for 10 seconds. Fine (double) strain to serve in a coupe glass.

The Oranges of October are Often Overwhelmingly Outstanding.

Owning a pair of welly boots is a prerequisite for working at Highclere Castle.

Muddy Boots Whilst making coffee the other morning, I idly asked Caitlin, who helps me with social media, if she remembered her job interview here. She nodded, smiling, so I asked her if there were any questions which she had found unexpected. Her reply was that she had not expected to be asked if she had any w...

Somerset residents would you like a Literary Lunch with the Countess of Carnarvon?
Join Lady Carnarvon in four weeks time in Taunton. See the link below to book.

Literary Lunch with Countess of Carnarvon - The Castle At Taunton We are delighted to welcome the Countess of Carnarvon to the Castle to talk about her book ‘Seasons at Highclere’. We start at 11.30am followed by a book signing before lunch when you will have an opportunity to join the author for two delicious courses and glass of wine.

1784 - Benjamin Franklin first suggested the idea of daylight saving time in a whimsical article. (www.rmg.co.uk)

1916 - The Summer Time Act was passed, ordaining that for a certain period during the year legal time should be one hour in advance of GMT. Double summer time (GMT + 2 hours) was used during the Second World War. (www.rmg.co.uk)

2024 - The clocks go back at 2am on October 27th.

“There is no land like England, where’er the light of day be" – Alfred Tennyson