Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcast

April sees the release of the second Downton Abbey movie - a new era. It was filmed here this time last year under strict covid restrictions.  I thought it would be the ideal time to reflect on on some of the podcasts where we've discussed living with a film crew whether it be the six years of the TV series or the last two movies. You'll hear extracts from my conversations with writer an...

My wonderful friend Sara Bathurst joins me this month. Sara lives at a beautiful stately home called Cirencester Park around 40 miles to the north-west of Highclere Castle. Cirencester is the largest town in the beautiful cotswolds area of south-central England.  As you'll hear Sara and I share much in common.  You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://w...

Highclere Castle gin is the result of four years preparation and nine months of tasting. We wanted to create something very, very good and it has now become one of the most awarded gins in world – so it is “very Highclere” which was the novelist Evelyn Waugh’s shorthand for something excellent.  Our gin is about fun. It is about conversation, glamour, parties, dancing  and celebrations: all the th...

At this time of year I inevitably look back on the challenges and triumphs of the past twelve months and forward to the hopes a new year brings.  Joining me in this edition of my podcast is my husband Geordie as we look 'backwards and forwards'!  You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New episodes are published on t...

My latest podcast was recorded on a recent trip to the US. As we end this year I was there to plan an exciting return visit in the spring when I'll be undertaking a tour to talk about my new book 'Seasons at Highclere', (and of course the new Downton Abbey movie!) Helping me with these adventures is my speaking agent Patsy Arnett  who I've working with for the past ten years. I...

Julian Fellowes is the creator, writer and co-producer of Downton Abbey, an extraordinary feat and has kept us all entertained on Sunday evenings over six years as well as writing two film scripts. The first was tremendously successful and the latest film will come out in early 2022. The real Downton Abbey, the very Library in which we are sitting  is also Highclere Castle. I hope you find this po...

Eight planes went down here on the Estate during World War Two and, as a result, I now “own” a few remains of a B-17 bomber. Over the past few years I've researched the aircraft and the lives of the crews that were lost here, even tracing surviving family members and on occasionally welcoming them to the estate to remember their loved ones. One of the people who has helped me on this journey...

I've just heard that that the new Downton Abbey movie will be released next year so to celebrate I thought I'd sit down with castle manager John Gundill.  John has steered us through our long association with the Downton Abbey project and I thought it was a good opportunity to share our memories of what it was like to host the cast and production team in such challenging circumstances ea...

One of my favourite social events of the year at Highclere is the Battle Proms. Usually we host around 10,000 people at the event, but this year we're being more cautious with numbers. As we emerge from the past year of inertia it's wonderful to welcome Adam Slough, the producer of the Battle Proms, to my podcast.  You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at...

My guest this month is my good friend Rafia Willmott.  When Rafia's husband John fell ill in 2010 she was inspired to create a restaurant catering for people who need, or desire, to eat healthily. If like me you enjoy creating (and consuming) good food, I'm sure you'll be fascinated by Rafia's story.  You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at http...

As the Downton Abbey movie cast and crew complete filming at Highclere Castle Lady Carnarvon sits down with her favourite guest - her husband!  With spring transitioning to summer and the castle opening up again to the public, it's time for a catch up and to look forward to the year ahead at 'the real Downton Abbey'. You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podca...

In this fascinating episode of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcast her friend and neighbour Sir Peter Michael discusses his fascinating and varied career.  Sir Peter tells the story of the business he is most proud of - the Peter Michael Winery in northern California, how he started the UK's first national commercial classical music radio station Classic FM, and how at the age of 83 he is...

In this month's episode Lady Carnarvon talks to her neighbour and friend Sarah Sladen.  Sarah runs a farm near to Highclere so it was a good opportunity to sit down and swop stories about pigs, sheep and the land.  As we discover Sarah also has a link to Downton Abbey....... You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New epi...

One of the worst affected industry's during the coronavirus pandemic has been hospitality. Bars, restaurants, hotels, visitor attractions, nightclubs, the list of businesses forced to suspend their activities seems endless. Lady Carnarvon's guest this week knows all about the devastating economic impact of the virus. Ranald Macdonald is the managing-director and founder of Boisdales - a...

For Lady Carnarvon's first podcast of 2021 she catches up with her Hampshire neighbour and friend actress Sarah Parish. Close followers of life at the 'real Downton Abbey' will know Sarah spoke at Lady Carnarvon's 'Script to Screen' event in 2018. As well as a highly successful TV and film actress Sarah is a fundraiser. Along with her husband Jim Murray she set up The...

As 2021 gets underway Lady Carnarvon sits down with Lord Carnarvon to discuss their plans for the new year.  From now on Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcast will be released monthly on the last Thursday of each month.  You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New episodes are published on the first day of every month. 

It's Christmas Eve and Lord and Lady Carnarvon sit down to look back on festive celebrations at Highclere Castle down the years. They also reflect on a quite extraordinary year at the 'real' Downton Abbey, and discuss this year's quiet family Christmas. In Next week's episode they look forward to what they hope will be a more joyful 2021!  For details of Lady Carnarvon&apo...

Like Lord and Lady Carnarvon the Hon. William and Lady Ailsa Stonor look after an important historic house and estate. The Stonor family has lived at Stonor Park for more than 850 years. Situated around 40 miles to the north-east of Highclere Castle - near the Royal Regatta town of Henley - William and Ailsa have become friends of Lord and lady Carnarvon through their shared duty to protect and pr...

This week Lady Carnarvon turns the tables on a TV production team that has been shadowing the Highclere staff for an observational documentary to be broadcast on TV in the UK next week. 'Christmas at Highclere' will follow the Highclere Castle team as they prepare for the public events that lead up to the festive break. Amy and Brent talk to Lady Carnarvon about their experiences of beco...

If you follow the Highclere Castle Instagram account you'll already know that a recent visitor here was the great great grandson of the novelist Charles Dickens. 177 years after it was first published 'A Christmas Carol' is still a best seller. Gerald came to Highclere in memory of  the charity of which Charles Dickens was the very first Chairman  https://www.trtf.com/theatrecommuni...

Diana Mitchell is Highclere Castle's head guide. She leads a team of around thirty enthusiastic guides who help to ensure visitors to the 'real Downton Abbey' get the best out of their experience. Some of the guides she works with started back in 1988 when the castle first opened to the public. In this podcast Diana reflects on the impact of Downton Abbey and even the time when she...

There's a bit of a change this week with Lord Carnarvon taking over with the questioning. His guest is Kate Adie CBE, DL  well known for her long service as the BBC's Chief News Correspondent.  Kate has travelled extensively during her BBC career. The two foreign assignments she is most often associated with are the  bombing of the Libyan capital Tripoli in 1986 and the Chinese authoriti...

Robert Harris is the author of thirteen bestselling novels including the Cicero Trilogy, The Ghost, An Officer and a Spy, Conclave, Munich and The Second Sleep. He lives near to Highclere Castle with his wife, Gill Hornby. This podcast is the soundtrack to a video interview with Robert recorded in the castle ahead of Lady Carnarvon's charity weekend 'History at Highclere'. He joins...

Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC AE FRICS RAF (retired) served in WW2 as a Mosquito Bomber Pilot. Celebrating his 100th Birthday next March, he talks all about his experiences as a pilot in WW2.  His flying training was carried out in 1941 in the United States and he stayed there serving as a flying instructor until 1943.  On his return to the United Kingdom in 1943 he converted to twin engine Mos...

The son of a Battle of Britain Pilot, Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards CBE, AFC would say he has always been involved in aviation. A pilot for the RAF for 35 years, he has gained over 7000 hours flying fighter aircrafts including the Lightning, Phantom and Tornado. His latest book, ‘Rate of Climb’ is an inspiring insight into his career with the RAF. Rick's fun-loving approach to life is ev...