Fans of the British period drama, "Downton Abbey," would now have the opportunity to live like an aristocrat as Highclere Castle opens its gates to the public. A guesthouse within the sprawling estate called London Lodge would be available for short-term accommodations beginning Valentine's Day in 2015, reported Daily Mail.
Owned by the Carnavon family since 1793, Highclere Castle is the main setting of ITV's "Downton Abbey." Both the castle and gardens are open to the public in certain times of the year but only for viewing purposes.
The lodge is situated in the gatehouse beside the estate's famous Georgian gate, which has been standing since 1793. Both houses on either side of the gate have fallen to neglect over the years and according to the Telegraph, it took the Earl and Countess of Carnavon two years to restore it.
While the general surroundings transport guests back in time, the lodge contains more modern facilities. Set on a Cotswold-cottage design, the lodge is similar to the house of Anna and her butler Mr. Bates.
Each cottage is designed for two with receiving rooms, small kitchens with wood burning stoves, bathrooms and dressing rooms. However, visitors hoping for a full high-born treatment would be disappointed to learn that the lodge operates on a self-catering service, pretty much like a hotel and no servant would await their every beck and call.
A taste and feel of aristocracy does not come easy on the pocket. An overnight stay at the London Lodge could set back guests beginning at £350 or $547 a night as reported by the Daily Mail. The price is understandable considering the high costs of maintaining a sprawling estate.
Prior to the series' production, at least 50 rooms and stone turrets were falling apart and restoration of the property was estimated at £1.8 million or roughly $2.8 million. With "Downton Abbey"'s filming, it became a lot easier to do the repairs.
The Countess of Carnavon noted, "Downton has helped our marketing in an extraordinary way and has meant we have been able to tackle various projects earlier than otherwise because of the increased tours and visitors. I suspect the effects from Downton will still roll out over the next 20 years."
Aside from the tours and lodging, Highclere Castle also serves as a wedding venue. Daily Mail reported that the list of names of those who signified their interest to hold their wedding in the estate is already quite long.
With the success of the show, more visitors are expected to flock the castle. "It's a new step for me. We will welcome people from all over, I expect. Access is going to depend on the time of year. It will be cosy, charming and unique," promised Lady Carnavon.
