Missy's Making Stuff Happen: August 2014

Sunday, August 03, 2014

WHRO Downtown Abbey - Masterpiece Trip Itinerary

Bert & I dressed up for a
Downton Abbey-inspired
garden party at Hermitage Museum,
Norfolk, Virginia (USA)

What a joy it has been following the lifestyles of the Edwardian-era upper class and their servants in the PBS TV series Downton Abbey. From the sinking of the Titanic, through foxhunts and fairs, birth and death, taxes and tea parties, not to mention the unpleasantness of being a woman in this time period, the land of my forefathers is quite entertaining, to say the least.

We're experiencing the real Downton Abbey this Fall 2014! My hubby Bert Schmidt, President/CEO of WHRO, and I lead a group of anglophiles on a tour of merry old England, the Masterpiece Theater way. We'll visit Buckingham Palace, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and private dining at the real Downtown Abby - Highclere Castle, and stroll through the villages and taverns we’ve seen in the TV show, and much, much more.

Here's our itinerary:

Saturday, September 20
Bert and I arrive a day ahead of the rest of our group. Our flight brings us into Heathrow Airport on Saturday morning...and if all goes well with our travels, we plan to spend the evening with an "Eye" outing, that is, on the giant London Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames!

Sunday, September 21
Day One: WHRO group arrives, meeting at our hotel, The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS London, United Kingdom. (read more)

Monday, September 22

Day Two: Downton Touring #1 in the village of Bampton, Devon. (read more)

Tuesday, September 23
Day Three: London Touring starting with the Churchill War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ London, United Kingdom. (read more)

Wednesday, September 24

Day Four: Downton Touring #2 at Highclere Castle, Highclere Park, RG20 9RN Newbury, Berkshire. (read more)

Thursday, September 25 - Sunday, September 28
The WHRO portion of the trip is at an end, while Bert and I continue on to Paris through the Chunnel (English Channel Tunnel) via the Eurostar rail line and plan to explore Paris on our own, from our headquarters at Radisson Blu Champs-elysees.

WHRO Downtown Abbey Trip 2014 - Day One

Sunday, September 21
Day One: WHRO group arrives in London.
The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS London, United Kingdom

Our group meets at Heathrow Airport for transfer to Rubens at the Palace, the majestic 4-star luxury hotel which recalls the magnificence and splendor of a bygone age, yet with the latest in modern comforts and technology. From the windows of the Rubens, we can watch the comings-and-goings of Buckingham Palace guardsmen in the Royal Mews, or step outside to share in the unforgettable daily pageant of the Changing of the Guard.
Check-in and enjoy lunch on our own, then meet our guide and take a relaxing panoramic tour of London by boat on the River Thames.
This evening, a private cocktail reception and dinner will be held at the hotel, where we will screen the first episode of Downton Abbey Season 5 (subject to scheduling, not available in the U.S. until January 2015).

WHRO Downtown Abbey Trip 2014 - Day Two

Monday, September 22
Day Two: Downton Touring #1
Village of Bampton, Devon

Today, we meet our private driver and guide for a full day of exploring:

An early morning visit of Buckingham Palace State Rooms, which are only open to the public for a few months each year.
Drive to the picturesque village of Bampton, used for all external village scenes in Downton Abbey.
Enjoy a lovely lunch at The Swan, the pub where a very key Downton Abbey storyline was filmed. [spoiler alert]
Return to our hotel for a leisurely evening.

WHRO Downtown Abbey Trip 2014 - Day Three

Tuesday, September 23
Day Three: London Touring
Churchill War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ London, United Kingdom

We meet our private driver and guide for a full day of exploring in the city:

Visit Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms, where Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his cabinet members worked underground throughout the expected air raids on London, directing England through World War II until the lights were finally switched off in August 1945.
Enjoy lunch at our leisure and spend the afternoon shopping or taking in London’s highlights on our own.
We're considering another Masterpiece visit, this one to Mr. Selfridges.
Evening at leisure.

WHRO Downtown Abbey Trip 2014 - Day Four

Wednesday, September 24
Day Four: Downton Touring #2

Highclere Castle, Highclere Park, RG20 9RN Newbury, Berkshire

Departing London, we'll be on our way for the once-in-a-lifetime, private visit to Highclere Castle, the centerpiece of the PBS show we all know and love, Masterpiece's Downton Abbey, a dramatic exploration of the British relationship between upper and lower classes.

By special permission of Lady Carnavon, we've been granted exclusive access to Highclere Castle's State Rooms, grounds and Egyptian exhibition.
Enjoy lunch in the Castle's beautiful State Dining Room, the very dining room featured in "Downton" itself. Lady Carnarvon herself may join us to personally host part of the day.
During its summer public season, Highclere Castle welcomes nearly 1,500 people every day through its doors, so this is a truly unique opportunity to have Downton Abbey all to ourselves for the day!
Our driver and guide will return us to the Rubens at the end of this very special day, so we may enjoy our evening at leisure.

While not technically a ‪#‎Masterpiece event, what trip to London would be complete without a show at The National? Bert and I have tickets for the Wednesday 9/24 performance at 7:30pm of "War Horse."

For more, subscribe to Lady Carnarvon's blog, a behind the scenes look at her life and home and anecdotes from everyday life at Highclere Castle. The world of Highclere still exists with its own community of Chefs, Gardeners and Housekeepers, Colin the Butler and Jo the Groom as well as all the other people who make the ‘Real Downton Abbey’ a welcoming place for visitors today.