Downton Abbey without the crowds

Downton Abbey without the crowds (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

On a normal day, Highclere Castle admits 1,200 visitors. The actual site of the PBS television show Downton Abbey, the castle is about 90 minutes west of London. Contending with crowds is precisely the downside of visiting popular tourist attractions. Read, for instance, two trip reports posted on TripAdvisor.

One visitor was disappointed at the crowded conditions.

Although we booked our tickets last February, with a timed slot, I was disappointed at the amount of people trying to view the house at the same time.... The bedroom corridor was narrow and there was nobody in control to monitor the amount of people trying to look at the bedrooms or the pictures. Lots of mumbling complaints about the number of people stuck in a queue to view the rooms.

Another describes the "achingly slow" progress one makes through the house.

As soon as we were through the door, it was single file, step by achingly slow step around the house. It wasn't a pleasant experience, people behind were trying to get ahead, those in front wanted to stand and discuss. Children were becoming bored, all adding to the frustration of the visit.

But there are alternatives... 

Totally private visits outside of opening hours... The cost for such an experience is about 10,000£, but this offers a most exclusive experience for a small group, each of whom will have bragging rights for a lifetime.

Limited admission days... While Highclere Castle is closed to general admission on those select days, it will offer admission to just 60 guests at a time. You'll have a three hour private tour during your choice of a 10:30 am - 1:30 pm or a 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. time slot. Each group of 60 is is further split into more manageable sets of 20 visitors. I recently arranged this for a client. With one "semi-private" admission ticket and round-trip private transfer from her hotel in London, her cost was around 1400£.

Tickets do sell out, even at 1400£, as this is an unforgettable experience for all lovers of Downton Abbey. It's critically important to plan well in advance. Even three months out, most of these few limited-admission dates had no availability.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

postcards from England | Castle Combe

the village of Castle Combe (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Another postcard from England, Castle Combe is a storybook village. On checking out of Lucknam Park, we stopped in this incredibly cute village at the southern edge of the Cotswolds. It has been named "the prettiest village in England," and if you're in the area, it's worth stopping by to enjoy the beauty.

Right in the center of Castle Combe is the old 13th-century St. Andrews Church. We dropped in to take a look ... very pretty! In front of the church, at the intersection where three small roads converge, is the 14th-century market cross. The film Doctor Doolittle was filmed in Castle Combe in 1966, and the village has been the filming location for other films as well as some episodes of Downton Abbey. If you're a guest at Lucknam Park, definitely drive through Castle Combe, but otherwise I wouldn't go far out of my way to visit. Very cute, but not much else...

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Downton Abbey | with or without the crowds?

Downton Abbey all to ourselves (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

I was privileged to enjoy an exclusive private visit to Highclere Castle in April, 2016. Arranged by our fabulous UK travel partner Noteworthy Events, we were granted entry to the famous estate a full half hour before opening. The picture above shows members of our group as we walked up the drive toward the entrance made famous by Downton Abbey.

We had the castle to ourselves. While we had to keep on the regular pathway through the house, we were able to take our time. We enjoyed a delightful few minutes in the living room, the setting of so many of Downton Abbey's best scenes. We walked up the grand staircase to the living quarters and peered into the bedrooms. We were never rushed nor crowded.

While it's possible to visit Highclere Castle during the public opening times, the experience would be quite different. I've quoted below the photo a few remarks posted on Trip Advisor.

https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/community/heroes-at-highclere-2018/

One visitor was "disappointed" by the crowding.

Although we booked our tickets last February, with a timed slot, I was disappointed at the amount of people trying to view the house at the same time.... The bedroom corridor was narrow and there was nobody in control to monitor the amount of people trying to look at the bedrooms or the pictures. Lots of mumbling complaints about the number of people stuck in a queue to view the rooms.

Another visitor uses descriptors like "achingly slow" and "frustration," and her visit was spoiled by the bored children in queue.

As soon as we were through the door, it was single file, step by achingly slow step around the house. It wasn't a pleasant experience, people behind were trying to get ahead, those in front wanted to stand and discuss. Children were becoming bored, all adding to the frustration of the visit.

Less is more when it comes to crowds. Our Virtuoso travel partners have the connections to offer you an exclusive experience of England ... or most anyplace you'd like to visit. So even if you're not a lord or lady, you can still experience Downton Abbey like Mr. Molesley or Mrs. Patmore!

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

a very VIP England Tour

changing of the Guard up close (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

If you followed the live blogs of my April trip to England, you already know about some of these exclusive experience. I've just learned of an opportunity to buy into a very exclusive small group travel experience with some of the most WOW possibilities in the UK.

Exclusive Luxury Tour Itinerary

16SEP — arrive London in style

• VIP airport meet & greet for for 2 guests
• Luxury car transfer to Rubens Hotel, mid-category room
• Afternoon walking tour of London
• Welcome reception

17SEP — Changing of the Guard and Buckingham Palace

• Behind the scenes during the Changing of the Guard
• Two course Pub Lunch
• Buckingham Palace and Queen Dress Exhibition, self-guided
• Evening at leisure

18SEP — Churchill War Rooms

• Elite Guide walking tour and shopping
• Two course lunch at Fortnum and Masons
• Private Tour of the Churchill War Rooms with the Director
• Evening at leisure

19SEP — Highclere Castle

• Exclusive Highclere Castle private visit
• Private three course lunch in the dining room (as on Downton Abbey)
• Private tour of Highclere Castle — no ropes, no lines, and a possible hello from Lady Carnavon

20SEP — depart London

• Luxury car transfer

Price - 4,300£ per person. Email me for exclusive information and thought on how to extend this VIP tour.

Not included: air fare or meals where not advised
Based on 2 people sharing mid-category room at Rubens at the Palace
Based on a minimum of 10 people
Single supplements for meet & greet, car transfer and hotel available

copyright (c) 2016 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Downton Abbey | I was there!

members of our Brownell Travel group approaching Downton Abbey

I've been a fan of the show since it first came on the air, however many years ago that was. Yesterday, our group was treated to a private "before hours" tour of Highclere Castle, home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Half an hour before the popular attraction opened to the general public, we were admitted through the front doors into this now very famous house. A charming and knowledgeable guide led us through rooms that we recognized from the show, especially the library with its 6,000 leather bound volumes, the central rotunda, and the upstairs hallway where family members had their bedrooms.

Almost as interesting as what we saw were rooms that we did not see — e.g., "downstairs" rooms such as the staff dining room where Carson presided over meals and the ancient kitchen where Mrs. Patmore and Daisy produced such memorable meals. Why? Because, we learned, these scenes were shot in a studio in London.

The Downton Abbey theme song kept running through my head, and large mounted photographs showed scenes from the show that were shot in the various rooms we toured. It was truly a memorable event — and thanks to Brownell Travel's connections, we were able to walk through ahead of the queues. Want a private tour or even help getting general admission tickets? We can help with that.

copyright  (c)  2016 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

London | places to stay, things to do

standing guard at Buckingham Palace

Looking for a great place to stay in London? A Virtuoso travel advisor can save you money with perks like free daily breakfasts, hotel credits, and room upgrades — typically at the same flexible rate that you're seeing online — and there's no cost for you to use a travel advisor.

We can save you money at over 50 luxury hotels in London (there's some overlap here, so the numbers add up to more than 50). See them on my Google maps of our London hotels by clicking here and here.

24 hotels come with Virtuoso amenities
2 hotels come with Dorchester Diamond Club amenities
2 hotels come with Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities
27 hotels come with Travel Leaders Select amenities
2 hotels come with Starwood Luxury Privileges amenities
3 hotels come with Doyle Collection amenities
23 hotels come with Celebrated Perks

I'm flying to London on Thursday evening to do some hotel site inspections ... but also to write about some unique experiences that a Virtuoso travel advisor can arrange for you.

1. The Churchill War Rooms — actually going into the cabinet rooms, not seeing them from behind glass like most tourists must.

2. The Changing of the Guard — seen from the Wellington Barracks where the Guard begins and ends its parade, not from the midst of the huge crowd that gathers daily in front of Buckingham Palace.

3. Downton Abbey — I'm guessing here, because the actual activity is supposed to be a surprise; visiting Highclere Castle (setting of Downton Abbey) and meeting Jim Carter (who played the butler, Carson, in the series).

copyright (c) 2016 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Ballyfin | Ireland's Downton Abbey

Ever wonder what it would be like to live at Downton Abbey? Now you have a chance by spending a few nights at Ballyfin, one of the most remarkable hotels I've ever had a chance to stay in. An 18th century manor house that has been lovingly and meticulously restored by a new owner willing to spend "whatever it takes" to create perfection, Ballyfin is over the top.

Set on 610 acres of woods, lawns, and a 28 acre lake, everything is absolutely gorgeous. Rooms and suites are spacious, lavishly furnished with antiques, four poster beds, padded silk on the walls, and lush draperies around the windows. Public spaces are beyond belief with ornate detailing and period art on the walls.

Ballyfin is all-inclusive. Your room rate includes three meals a day for two guests (even the multi-course tasting meal, if you wish), complimentary minibar in your room, a cocktail reception before dinner each evening, and even five pieces of laundry per day. Virtuoso amenities include one complimentary bottle of wine from Ballyfin excellent wine cellar, paired to your meal selection.

The theme song for Downton Abbey kept going through my head as I spent a full day here and experienced the beauty and non-stop service of their attentive staff. Upscale travelers to Ireland should definitely include Ballyfin in their itinerary.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.