Platinum Eye visits real life Downtown Abbey: Highclere Castle, the home of Lord and Countess Carnarvon in a special episode airing November 29 on FYI, an A&E network.
Host Avril Graham reconnects to her Scottish roots in her visit to the English countryside to stay at the most iconic home in the world, owned by the Carnarvon family for more than 300 years. Designed by Sir Charles Barry, the magnificent castle has been described as the “finest occupied Victorian mansion in England”, but the home became as the set of the series and film Downton Abbey.
With 80 rooms and 5000 acres of property, Platinum Eye’s host Avril will glide through the places which have never been caught on camera before: from tea in private sitting rooms, armoires with historical dresses, libraries with over 6000 books to gardens that have existed since medieval times and the cellars that celebrate the achievements of 5thEarl and Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922. Avril receives a private tour of the grounds from Lord Carnarvon, and then meets the Countess for tea. Platinum Eye is able to attend a formal cocktail hour in the famed living room, where the drink of the hour is made on the spot with Highclere Castle Gin and served by Luis, the estate’s Butler.
Debuting November 29, the quintessential Platinum Eye’s British experience will air on A&E’s FIY Channel.
