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My husband, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, and I have the enormous privilege and pleasure of living in, and taking care of, my husband’s family home, Highclere Castle, which is better known to many people as the setting for the popular television programme “Downton Abbey”. Thanks to this series, our home has, over the last few years, become one of the most well-known and iconic houses in the world. My Podcast is my way of trying to share the stories and heritage of this wonderful building and es ...
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Summer in Britain has been slow to arrive this year, but on a lovely sunny afternoon Geordie and I took a walk through the gardens to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents that make up our beautiful surroundings. I should say that although sunny it was a little windy but don't be put off by the background noise we do find shelter from the wind at pl…
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In the midst of filming for the third Downton Abbey movie I was pleased to welcome John Tye to Highclere. John is an inspirational character who flew the record-breaking supersonic airliner Concorde. Starting life in an orphanage he made it to the edge of space in one of the world's most advanced flying machines. He's just published his story in a …
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In this episode of my podcast I get to talk about two of my great loves - words and language. My guest Susie Dent is an English lexicographer, etymologist, and the word referee in "Dictionary Corner" on the TV game show Countdown since 1992. Susie is also a bestselling author having written many books on the English language including her latest wh…
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My guest this month is local nature writer Nicola Chester. As Spring arrives at the real Downton Abbey it was lovely to sit down and talk about the beautiful countryside that surrounds us. Nicola's Award Winning Memoir is called 'On Gallows Down: Place, Protest and Belonging'. You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at http…
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Behind the scenes at the real Downton Abbey this month I'm talking to raecehorse trainer Richard Hannon who is not only a good friend to my husband and myself but looks after some of the racehorses we've bred. Racing is very close to our hearts here at Highclere Castle especially as my father in law was the late Queen's racing manager and Richard's…
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This month I'm joined by my friend and respected interior designer Sarah Morris. Sarah has been by my side as I've worked to restore and re-decorate the very many rooms here at Highclere Castle over the past 20 years. From wallpaper, Royal house guests and even ghosts, join me and Sarah on an interior design tour of the real Downton Abbey! You can …
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Happy New Year! What better way to start 2024 than by welcoming historian, author, broadcaster and good friend Bettany Hughes to 'the real Downton Abbey'. 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.…
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December is traditionally the month for giving so it's perhaps apt that my guest this month is the founder of a wonderful charity Starlight. Starlight raises funds for children’s play in healthcare, supporting children to experience the power of play to boost their wellbeing and resilience during illness. We've supported Starlight here at Highclere…
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My guest this month is the author Victoria Hislop. Victoria has entranced us all with her wonderful stories about Greece. Her debut book 'The Island' became an international bestseller, and her latest is called 'The figurine'. You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/ New episodes are…
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This month's podcast is all about one of my favourite topics Egyptology. Joining me at Highclere Castle is Dr Colleen Darnell, an Egyptologist, author and educator. Her latest book 'Egypt’s Golden Couple: When Akhenaten and Nefertiti Were Gods on Earth' was co-authored with her husband, John Coleman Darnell, Professor of Egyptology at Yale Universi…
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My guest this month is one of best girl friends. I've known 'smiles' since I met her at university and she's remained a close friend ever since. Recently she's worked alongside me in the preparation of my book 'The Earl and the Pharaoh', so I thought an ideal time to sit down with her and reminisce on our friendship. You can hear more episodes of L…
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It's August and my guest this month is the journalist and best selling author Tim Marshall. “Prisoners of Geography” has sold over 2 million copies and I have much enjoyed his recent book the “Power of Geography”. Tim’s books offer fascinating insights into this world on which we are all trying to live and which we are all trying to share. Before h…
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My guest this month is a dear friend, and renowned author, Shrabani Basu. Shrabani is an Indian journalist and historian who is perhaps best known for writing the true story of 'Victoria & Abdul' about Queen Victoria's friendship with an Indian attendant Abdul Karim. It was a joy to sit down and talk to Shrabani - I hope you enjoy it as much as I d…
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My guest this month is the WW2 history author James Holland. I've got to know James over the years having appeared as a guest on several occasions at the wonderful history festival he founded. The Chalke Valley history festival in the nearby county of Wiltshire has grown to be one of the biggest events of its kind in the world. You can hear more ep…
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Often the starting point for one of my books on the history of Highclere Castle is a conversation with David Rymill. David is our archivist and there's not much he doesn't know about the family history thanks to the extensive archive of documents and letters dating back to when the family first acquired the house in the 17th century. I find the arc…
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Jane Austen is one of England’s most celebrated and greatest novelists and Hampshire - the county where Highclere Castle is situated - played an important part in her life, not just as the place she lived but as inspiration to many of her novels. Jane Austen is one of my favourite authors so I was thrilled to sit down with Lizzie Dunford - Director…
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We're back after a month away to recharge our podcast batteries! My guest for March is someone very familiar to British TV audiences - weather presenter Laura Tobin. Laura has just written a book called 'Everyday Ways To Save Our Planet' - and so I invited her to come along to Highclere and share some of her tips with me! You can hear more episodes…
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Happy New Year! We begin 2023 in conversation with one of the people who has helped me unearth the rich aviation history that surrounds Highclere Castle. I first met George Bacon at an event to commemorate Sir Geoffrey De Havilland's first flight on the Highclere Estate at Seven Barrows. Since then he's become a friend and contributor to many event…
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My guest this month has just published a wonderfully amusing book that looks back on her incredible life. Susannah Constantine is best known as a TV fashion expert, but as she tells me in this podcast her years on television are the least interesting thing about her. Join us in the castle's morning room for some extraordinary anecdotes involving Ro…
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The theme of our recent Highclere Festival was the path to the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. It is an extraordinary tale of two unconventional men, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter, neither of whom had studied archaeology at university but both of whom, through experience and passion, found the most extraordinary tomb of a Pharaoh. It's the…
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The death of Her Majesty the Queen last month was both sad and unsettling. My own experience of meeting her was entirely due to her long friendship with my father-in-law and mother-in-law. In fact my father-in-law was her racing manager at one time, and my husband had the great honour of being her godson. So for this month's podcast I'm joined by G…
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I recently had the pleasure of sitting down in the castle library to speak to Gavin Thurston. Combining lenses and penmanship, he has written a fabulous book called “Journey into the Wild, The Secret life of a cameraman” which shares stories of his time behind the scenes during the course of many years filming with Sir David Attenborough. You can h…
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The recent record high temperatures in the UK has brought climate change back into the headlines. Seasoned climatologists who knew we'd one day break through the 40C barrier have spoken about being stunned to see it happen so soon. Here at Highclere we're always thinking about what we can do to protect our fragile planet. With that in mind my guest…
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Last week I was in the US, and I was honoured to be invited by the Newport Preservation Society to speak at a number of events in order to help them raise money to sustain some great houses they look after. Many of the houses were lost post WW2, but a number of determined women have helped save what is now left. From lunches to meetings, press conf…
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After 36 months it's been a joy to welcome back the Highclere Show. It's a festival and celebration of country life that is always great entertainment for the thousands that come here every May. In this month's podcast I sat down with the organiser Jerome Roberts - do have a listen and maybe we'll see you here next year! You can hear more episodes …
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My guest this month is a wonderful lady called Emma Kane. As well as being a hugely successful businesswoman Emma is Chair of Target Ovarian Cancer. It's a charity I have a particular interest in having lost my mother to ovarian cancer. I hope you'll find our conversation insightful and if you'd like to find out more about the charity please visit …
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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 extrac…
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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 Carn…
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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, glamou…
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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…
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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 w…
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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 …
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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 …
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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 te…
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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…
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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 Of…
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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 La…
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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 Clas…
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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://…
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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 managin…
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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 M…
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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 o…
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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 detai…
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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 Car…
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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 C…
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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 ht…
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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 Downto…
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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 Trip…
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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 weeken…
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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…
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