Highlights
Exclusive tour of Highclere Castle
Champagne and canapés
Three-course dinner with wine
After dinner carol singing
TRIP ITINERARY
Dress Code: Suits & Tie / Cocktail Dress
What finer way to welcome in the festive season than by enjoying a quintessentially British Christmas evening at Highclere Castle, the setting of Downton Abbey? As a one-off special event, and exclusive to Premium Tours, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon will open their home, one of England’s most beautiful and most elegant Victorian castles, for a truly memorable celebration.
Driving up the long winding entrance, guests will notice the avenue of small Christmas trees ushering us towards the imposing doorway, behind which is a warming open fire and giant decorated Christmas tree. Guests will be welcomed into The Saloon at the very heart of the Castle, to enjoy a champagne and canapé reception. The Drawing room, The Music room, and The Smoking room will also be open for guests to enjoy with Highclere guides on hand in the main State Rooms to answer any questions regarding the history of the building, artwork, furniture and even the filming of Downton Abbey. Champagne and canapés will be served throughout the reception and then following a short welcome, and we will be called to the library for dinner.
The three-course meal is an absolute treat, prepared in the Highclere kitchens. They use local produce, offering a choice of starter, main course and pudding including, Slow roasted fillet of beef, baked “Goldcross” goat’s cheese, and a mouth-watering classic lemon citrus tart, all served with a choice of white and red wine. There will be Christmas crackers on the table to help make the evening more fun and a free raffle with various prizes including signed copies of Lady Carnarvon’s novel – Lady Catherine, the Real Downton Abbey, and Eurostar tickets to Paris, chocolates, and Champagne. Sit back and enjoy the fun while being served coffee and petit fours – who knows there may even be a surprise visit from Lord and Lady Carnarvon themselves!
Finally, to end the evening, we head back into the saloon to stand by the fire and tree and listen to the local choristers perform Christmas Carols to us from the staircase. The tour includes the services of a professional guide and a luxury air-conditioned motor-coach and departs London at approximately 4 pm and returns at approximately 12.30-1am.
Sample Menu:
Starter
Lady Carnarvon charred salmon and avocado tian leaf salad and Melba toast
OR
Roasted vegetable terrine with micro cress salad, aioli sauce (Vegetarian Option)
Main
Roasted Turkey Breast,
Pigs in blankets, roasted fondant potato, Brussel sprouts with chestnuts and carrot Vichy,
Cranberry jus
OR
Baked “Goldcross” goat’s cheese, pine kernels and red onion puree wrapped in filo pastry with watercress foam, extra virgin olive (Vegetarian Option)
Dessert
Christmas pudding & Brandy cream sauce
Please note that vegetarian meal and other dietary requirements must be requested at the time of booking. No photography allowed inside the castle.
Booking conditions: Once booked there is no refunds or no amendments.
At Blenheim Place your tour begins with an introduction to the 'upstairs and downstairs' of class conscious life. Built for the 1st Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill from 1704 to 1722, designed by Sir John Vanburgh and Nicholas Hawksmoor and interiors by Sir Christopher Wren, this historic stately home was also birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill in 1874.
Discover how the aristocracy lived and how the state apartments increased in importance as we move from room to room. We see how servants interacted with their masters and employers and learn of the strict social standards that needed to be maintained.
After the tour of this great house, there will be time to stroll through landscaped gardens and see the Temple of Diana where Sir Winston Churchill proposed to Clementine Hozier in 1908, before we drive back to London.