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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Zara Whelan

The real Downton Abbey has been listed on Airbnb - for one night only

Fans of the hit period drama Downton Abbey can "live like a Lord and Lady" in the iconic stately home - for one night only.

The 17th century Highclere Castle, centrepiece of the ITV show, has been listed on booking site Airbnb offering a "once-in-a-lifetime stay".

To mark the release of the new Downton Abbey feature film, owners the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon will be offering the opportunity for two guests to stay in the famous Jacobethan manor.

And it's not just a bed for the night, as the visitors are "cordially invited" to immerse themselves in life at Highclere and will be "treated like royalty" during their stay.

The Lord and Lady Carnarvon will be welcoming the guests into their home personally upon arrival, before being invited for an evening of cocktails in the saloon, followed by a traditional dinner in the opulent state dining room - all the time being waited on by the resident butler.

Post-dinner coffee will be served in the iconic Library before retiring to one of the house's 300 rooms for the night.

Visitors will be residing in one of the principal Gallery bedrooms, which comes complete with en-suite facilities and panoramic views over 1,000 acres of rolling parkland.

Breakfast will be provided the next morning, before embarking on a private tour of Highclere Castle’s extensive grounds.

Guests will also have the opportunity so explore the rooms regularly seen on the show, such as the Drawing Room and the Library.

The iconic library at Highclere (Airbnb/Highclere Castle/PA Wire)

Lady Carnarvon said: "It's an absolute privilege and pleasure to call Highclere Castle my home and I am delighted to be able to share it on Airbnb for a truly unique stay.

"Highclere Castle has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679 and has an incredibly rich history.

"I am passionate about the stories and heritage of Highclere Castle, and I am looking forward to welcoming our future guests."

Hadi Moussa, general manager for Northern Europe Airbnb said: "We are thrilled to be able to offer fans the ultimate Downton Abbey experience through this once-in-a-lifetime-stay at Highclere Castle.

"At Airbnb we are passionate about offering unique and unforgettable travel experiences to our community, and we are certain that guests will have a magical experience while staying on the iconic location of Downton Abbey."

The castle is located in the idyllic town of Newbury, just 50 miles from London in the heart of West Berkshire.

The overnight stay will cost £150 for the lucky pair who manage to secure the booking.

The bedroom will have magnificent views of the adjoining parkland (PA)

Details of the listing are available to view on Airbnb now , but reservations will open at midday on October 1, 2019.

The listing is expected to be incredibly popular, so all applicants must be signed up to Airbnb in advance, have a verified account and have good reviews from their previous bookings.

Candidates will also need to demonstrate that they are "passionate about Downton Abbey" in the message they include when requesting the reservation - with the Earl and Countess then choosing the most creative submission to stay with them.

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