Dust off your evening wear and brush up on the Queen’s English: Two guests are invited to spend a night at Highclere Castle in November.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon will open their stately home—best known as the title character of Downton Abbey—for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On Nov. 26, follow in the footsteps of literal kings and queens.
You’re unlikely to bump into the Earl or Countess of Grantham (or any fictional aristocrats), but the Airbnb listing does promise lodgers will be “treated like royalty” and “live like [a] Lord or Lady” during their stay.
That includes cocktails, dinner, breakfast, and a private tour of the castle grounds with owners Lord and Lady Carnarvon. Not to mention bedroom views over 1,000 acres of “rolling parkland” just 50 miles west of London.
You’ll also get the chance to explore iconic spaces featured in Downton Abbey, including the Drawing Room and Library.
But act fast: Booking goes live on Oct. 1 at noon BST (7 a.m. EST); renters must have a verified Airbnb profile, positive reviews, and be passionate about Downton Abbey.
(There is no word on whether fans of Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry’s ’90s comedy Jeeves and Wooster, which filmed its Totleigh Towers scenes at the castle, are encouraged to apply.)
Wake up in one of the gallery bedrooms with views over 1,000 acres of rolling parkland (via Airbnb)
Highclere Castle, a country house in the Jacobethan style by architect Charles Barry, has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679. It only recently found fame, though, as a stand-in for the fictitious Yorkshire estate of Downton Abbey.
The castle, Egyptian exhibition, and gardens are open to the public for self-guided tours during the summer, as well as Christmas and Easter. The Carnarvons also hold special ticketed events and guided tours throughout the year.
“I am passionate about the stories and heritage of Highclere Castle and I am delighted to be able to share it with others who have a love of the building and its history,” Lady Carnarvon wrote in the listing.
“With the support of Airbnb, I am excited to open Highclere Castle up for a truly unique stay,” she added.
Enjoy a private tour of Highclere Castle and its extensive grounds (via Airbnb)
Just don’t expect to go all meta and watch episodes of Downton Abbey inside the IRL Downton Abbey: There is no Wi-Fi access inside the castle.
Also not included are air conditioning (not unusual in the UK), a television, or a washing machine. You can, however, drape your formal wear over the hangers provided before curling up in front of the indoor fireplace.
To celebrate this special offering, Airbnb will make a donation to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies—the world’s largest humanitarian network.
The Downton Abbey feature film hits cinemas this Friday, Sept. 20.
More on Geek.com:
- Airbnb’s Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Rental Is a Hog Dog Lover’s Paradise
- ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Fans Can Rent Tony Stark’s Rural Cabin on Airbnb
- Spice Girls Bus From ‘Spice World’ Movie Is Now an Airbnb Rental
