Heroes at Highclere comes to "Downton Abbey"
05 October 2011
Join the cast and crew of Downton Abbey at Highclere Castle for a day out steeped in history, for all the family at Heroes at Highclere on Sunday 16 October 2011.
The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
invite you to Highclere Castle the real Downton
Abbey to celebrate all the members of our Armed Forces who
have been injured or lost their lives whilst in Service from the
First World War though to the war in Afghanistan today, the event
is to raise money and awareness for the Army Benevolent
Fund, The Royal British Legion and
Help for Heroes.
Throughout the day, Highclere Castle, the home of ITV's hit show Downton Abbey, is opening its historic doors to the public and will be displaying costumes and props used in the show. Jim Carter, aka Mr Carson the Butler, will be playing a new role - that of auctioneer - auctioning props and memorabilia from the show in aid of the charities giving you the chance to own a piece of history.
Throughout the day guests will be treated to displays from The Kings' Troop and the Royal Artillery as well as a de Havilland stream flyover and Spitfire air display, there will even be a Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham landing at the Castle. Come and meet Joey, the amazing horse puppet from the award-winning War Horse National Theatre stage production, and sing along to music from the Royal Army Medical Corp Band, Pipers and Drums from the Scottish Regiment and the gorgeous Swinging Sweet Heart, music all hand-picked and conducted by Robert King, Conductor of The Kings Consort and the man behind the music of many movies including the Da Vinci Code, and many Royal and Military Celebrations.
There'll be plenty of entertainment for the whole family, with an army assault course, paintball, Batak and a 24ft climbing wall. Take the chance to fly in a Typhoon simulator, ride on traditional Victorian fairground rides, watch a display from and enjoy a cuddle with the Royal Army Dogs and hear the roar of 90 motorbikes from the Riders Branch marking 90 years of The Royal British Legion.
To take you back to WW1 there will be 100's of re-enactors (many of whom were extra's in Downton Abbey) waking around the grounds in traditional medical and military costume, with traditional field hospitals and kitchens.
Inside the Castle there will be special displays, with original letters from wounded soldiers and photos telling the tale of how Highclere Castle was turned into a hospital for wounded soldiers during WWI, something that Downton fans will also see on their screens. Lady Carnarvon is repeating history and transforming Arundel bedroom back into a WWI operating theatre after nearly 100 years, just as the 5th Countess Lady Almina did in 1914.
Tickets: Full price £15, Concessions price £5 |
Under 12s, Family of 2 adults & 2 Under 12s £35 (book on 01635
522733)
Ticket including Castle Entry £30, Under 12s with Castle Entry
£10 Family of 2 adults & 2 Under 12s with Castle Entry
£70
Book on 01635 522733 or from the Corn Exchange, Newbury: 01635 522
733 or their website.
There are limited tickets available for entry into the Castle so
book now to avoid disappointment.
For more information visit www.highclerecastle.co.uk
For interviews and other media information, contact Candice Bauval cbauval@highclerecastle.co.uk or 01635 250 449.
About Highclere Castle:
Highclere Castle has been home to the Carnarvon family
since 1679. Built on an ancient site, the original house was
recorded in the Doomsday Book. The present day castle was designed
in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect also responsible for
building the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
The 5th Earl, with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of Kings in 1922 and the Castle houses an exhibition commemorating the historic event, including some rare antiques from the 5tyh Earl's earlier excavations.
ITV's hugely successful period drama Downton Abbey has recently finished filming the second series at Highclere Castle. Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville lead the cast in the series created by Oscar winning writer Julian Fellowes which follows the lives of the Edwardian Crawely family and the servants who work for them.
