Historical style: Downton Abbey

Lady Mary on a horse for the annual hunt - Downton Abbey

You’ve probably been hiding under a rock if you’ve missed all the fuss about the British TV series “Downton Abbey” so here’s an overview with photos for you, both as an introduction for newbies, and a recap for fans…

Buy the DVDs/Blu-ray editions here:

Downton Abbey  TV series - www.myLusciousLife.com

Luscious Lifers who love period films will adore this British TV series – the costumes, characters, storylines, interiors and exteriors are all fabulous. It feels like “Brideshead Revisited” meets “Pride and Prejudice” meets “Upstairs Downstairs”, all wrapped up into one. Luscious viewing heaven!

 

Downton Abbey

I particularly adore this period in history, the Edwardian dresses and later “flapper fashion”, as well as the look the major changes in society. So much happened in the first part of the 20th century, and we get to explore it through the development of the characters in this brilliantly written period drama.

 

Here is our main  photo gallery:

Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep7_6.jpgDownton Abbey - Hugh B with car - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgAnna the ladies maid in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - carson candles.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey10.jpegcora the countess in downton abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey _Michelle in riding gear as Lady Mary Crawley - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - 006.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep1_6.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey7.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - 007.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - bates anna.JPGDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - EP3 period drama.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - daisy wedding.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 edith and anthony strallen.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey8.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 lady sybil at dinner.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 mary bates and gramophone.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 matthew and lavinia.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Downton abbey1.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey4.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey6.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey9.JPGDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton_abbey_christmas_10.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Downton_abbey_series2_ep1_02.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - robert and jane.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - mrs bates maria doyle kennedy.JPGDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton2.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - period drama SERIES 2 EP2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton4.jpegDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - ep2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - EP3.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - hugh bonneville downton abbey.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - lady sybil.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - mary and matthew.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - mary downton.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Mary wedding dress.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - robert-bathurst-mr-weston.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - SERIES 2_EP2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - SERIES2_EP2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - servants dinner.jpgDownton Abbey. Series Two.Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Tom_Branson.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - vera bates.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - violet dowager countess.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpegdownton abbey -wedding dress - mary and matthew.jpgdownton abbey S2 bates and anna in church.jpgdownton abbey S2 dowager countess violet on phone with shrimpy.jpgdownton abbey S2 Mary at Matthew bedside.jpgDownton Abbey_Shirley as Martha.jpgDOWNTON_ABBEY_SERIES2_EP2_Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDOWNTON_ABBEY_Thomas the footman - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House6.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House7.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House8.jpgDOWNTON_ABBEY_SERIES2_EP1_36.jpgdownton-abbey-s1-still-mr Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - .jpgLady Mary in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgLady Sybil in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgMichelle Dockery and Dan Stevens by Robert Trachtenberg.jpgThe daughters wearing period frocks in Downton Abbey.jpgDame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com2.jpgAnna the ladies maid in Downton Abbey2 - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgdownton abbey - elizabeth mcgovern - www.myLusciousLife.com.PNGBelow stairs staff at Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgallen leech as the driver in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgdownton abbey - the family wearing hats - www.myLusciousLife.com.JPGLady Mary in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com3.jpgbates and anna in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.PNGBranson and Sybil- Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.pngCousin Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep7_13.jpgDownton Abbey _Michelle_Dan - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com -  Lavinia Swire.jpgDownton Abbey - Dowager Countess and Lady Mary - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - Dowager Countess Lady Mary Edith and Sybil - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgdownton abbey - lady mary and countess - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgdownton abbey - mrs crawley countess and dowager countess - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - Mrs Crawley in the hospital - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep2_2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - branson sibyl1.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Branson Sybil.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Branson_carrying_Sybil.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Christmas Special 2011.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - ChristmasSpecial2011.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep1_9.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep2_1.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep2_3.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep2_4.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep3_1.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep3_2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep3_3.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep3_4.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep7_11.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep7_2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep7_3.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - D2_Ep7_4.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - DA SERIES2_EP2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - daisy crying christmas episode.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 bates and anna wedding.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 christmas mary and sir richard altercation.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton 2 violet in the grave yard.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey11.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Downton abbey2.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Downton abbey3.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton abbey5.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - downton christmas oija board.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - ethel and charlie.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Hugh car.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - isis the lab dog downton abbey Fenton.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - maggie-smith-downton.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - mary and sybil.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - mary and the fiance.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - matthew.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - poster.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - servant line.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Siobhan_Rose.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Sybil Branson Funeral.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Sybil Branson2.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Sybil Branson3.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Sybil Branson4.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - Sybil Branson5.pngDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - sybil mary1.jpgDownton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com - war end.jpgdownton abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.PNGdownton abbey S2 Mrs. hughs taking food to Ethel and the baby.jpgDOWNTON_ABBEY_butler housekeeper ladies maid - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDOWNTON_ABBEY_cousin Matthew - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House10.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House11.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House12.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House13.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House2.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House3.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House4.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House5.jpgDownton- Abbey-period TV series 1912 English Country House9.jpgDowntonAbbey.ChristmasSpecial2011 - Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgDowntonAbbey.ChristmasSpecial2011 Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com .jpgHighclere Castle as  Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgHUGH AND ELIZABETH in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.PNGIain Glen Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens - Downton Abbey Christmas Special.jpgladies strolling in downton abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.PNGLady Mary - the hunt at Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgLady Mary in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com2.jpgLady Sybil in Downton Abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com2.jpgShirley-MacLaine-Downton-Abbey-London-England.jpgShirley-MacLaine-Filming-Downton-Abbey-London-England.jpgShirley-MacLaine-Filming-Downton-Abbey-London3.jpgsybil and branson in downton abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpgThe cast of Downton Abbey - Vanity Fair by Jason Bell December 2011.jpgThe wedding of Mary and Matthew - Downton_Season3_1.jpgwilliam and gwen in downton abbey - www.myLusciousLife.com.jpg

 

 

Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey

The series first screened in the UK in 2010 and we’re now up to season 4 (Note: You can buy the DVD from Amazon if you want to start from the beginning) with the fictional Downton Abbey set at the real-life English country house, Highclere Castle in Newbury, West Berkshire, England, the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle exterior photo

 

The house is open to the public at set times during the year, so check the Visitor information page for latest news. They also do weddings and events if you’re really keen to embrace some historical style. Here’s a map so you can check out the location:

 

View Larger Map
 

See the official website for Highclere Castle here, which has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679.

And buy the book, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon and Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon.

 

Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey

 

 

Downton Abbey by Julian Fellowes

Starting in 1912, “Downton Abbey” follows the family and staff of the Earl of Grantham who live at Downton Abbey in the glorious English countryside (Highclere Castle in Hampshire, in real life). It’s Edwardian lusciousness galore, with frocks, scenery and beautifully-portrayed relationship development.

The cast of Downton Abbey - Vanity Fair by Jason Bell December 2011

 

Created and written by Oscar-winning Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park, The Young Victoria), it stars Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, and Elizabeth McCormack, Penelope Wilton, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Lesley Nicol, Siobhan Finneran, Rob James Collier, Joanne Froggatt and Rose Leslie, and many others.

Joanne Froggatt as Anna the ladies maid in Downton Abbey

 

Buy the DVDs/Blu-ray editions here:

 

Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle interiors - breakfast room

Downton Abbey news

  • Prequel: In September 2012, Julian Fellowes said he was working on a spin-off prequel which revolves around Lord Grantham and Cora’s courtship. Initially planned as a book, it was picked up by ITV to become a TV series.
  • Series five: A fifth series of Downton Abbey has been commissioned, to be broadcast in 2014.
  • Related: Julian Fellowes is currently developing a period drama for NBC entitled The Gilded Age, set in 1880s New York

See more from the official ITV website, or read about it on IMDB and Wikipedia.

 

Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle interiors - drawing room

Downton Abbey fashion

We’ve got some “Downton Abbey in the 1920s” fashion shopping suggestions for you in these posts:

and

December 1 1925 - vintage cover of Vogue.jpg

"Vogue" magazine covers: covers up to the 1950s

"Vogue" magazine covers: covers up to the 1950s
writing paper, flowers and perfume bottles.jpg

Perfume bottles, past and present

Perfume bottles, past and present
arsl06_libraries.jpg

Stylish home: Libraries

Stylish home: Libraries
s The Roaring Collection Winter 2011-2012_1.jpg

Frockage: La Perla -The Roaring Collection Winter 2011-2012

Luscious lingerie inspired by flapper fashion: La Perla's The Roaring Collection Winter 2011-2012
glamorous bar carts - cocktail trays1.jpg

A lush life: Bar carts

A lush life Stylish home: Inspiration for luscious bar carts
Sunday at the Park by Mert and Marcus for W Magazine 2009_10.jpg

Lara Stone, Edita Vilkeviciute and Guinevere van Seenus in Sunday at the Park by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for W Magazine 2009

Lara Stone, Edita Vilkeviciute and Guinevere van Seenus in Sunday at the Park by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for W Magazine 2009
Vintage luggage - wah4mi0ae4yauslife.com - Louis Vuitton Footlocker2 from 1930.jpg

Luscious travel: Ode to vintage luggage

Luscious travel: Ode to vintage luggage
Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail by Lucy Johnston.jpg

Recommended reading: British and American "upper class" social history 1870s-1930s

Recommended reading: British and American "upper class" social history from the Gilded Age to the Jazz Age
A young Princess Caroline of Monaco.jpg

Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers

Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers
The Last Mrs. Astor - A New York Story by Frances Kiernan.jpg

Recommended reading: Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers

Recommended reading: Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers
Tory Burch shoes - darlene MID HEEL PUMP.jpg

Foot fetish: Tory Burch shoes

Lots of beautiful shoes from Tory Burch

 

 

More period drama lusciousness for you…

Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle interiors - kitchen

 

 

Here’s a look at the Season 3 Christmas Special episode, the Crawley Sisters, and Downton Abbey interiors photos, and related books and DVDs:

Downton Abbey - Season 3 - Christmas Special 2012

Photos from the Christmas Special episode of "Downton Abbey" - season 3
The Chronicles of Downton Abbey - A New Era by Jessica Fellowes and Matthew Sturgis.jpg

Historical style: Downton Abbey-related books and DVDs

Historical style: Downton Abbey-related books and DVDs
Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle interiors3.png

Historical style: Downton Abbey interiors

A look at the interiors and exteriors of Highclere Castle, the home of the fictional "Downton Abbey"
The Crawley Sisters - Downton Abbey photo - myLusciousLife.com - downton.png

Downton Abbey: The Crawley Sisters

Downton Abbey: The Crawley Sisters - photos of Michelle/Mary, Laura/Edith and Jessica/Sybil from the show and real life

 

 

More fascinating folk and beautiful vintage items, including socialites and hostesses from the Victorian, Edwardian and WW1-WW2 eras in these posts and photo galleries:

December 1 1925 - vintage cover of Vogue.jpg

"Vogue" magazine covers: covers up to the 1950s

"Vogue" magazine covers: covers up to the 1950s
writing paper, flowers and perfume bottles.jpg

Perfume bottles, past and present

Perfume bottles, past and present
arsl06_libraries.jpg

Stylish home: Libraries

Stylish home: Libraries
s The Roaring Collection Winter 2011-2012_1.jpg

Frockage: La Perla -The Roaring Collection Winter 2011-2012

Luscious lingerie inspired by flapper fashion: La Perla's The Roaring Collection Winter 2011-2012
glamorous bar carts - cocktail trays1.jpg

A lush life: Bar carts

A lush life Stylish home: Inspiration for luscious bar carts
Sunday at the Park by Mert and Marcus for W Magazine 2009_10.jpg

Lara Stone, Edita Vilkeviciute and Guinevere van Seenus in Sunday at the Park by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for W Magazine 2009

Lara Stone, Edita Vilkeviciute and Guinevere van Seenus in Sunday at the Park by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for W Magazine 2009
Vintage luggage - wah4mi0ae4yauslife.com - Louis Vuitton Footlocker2 from 1930.jpg

Luscious travel: Ode to vintage luggage

Luscious travel: Ode to vintage luggage
Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail by Lucy Johnston.jpg

Recommended reading: British and American "upper class" social history 1870s-1930s

Recommended reading: British and American "upper class" social history from the Gilded Age to the Jazz Age
A young Princess Caroline of Monaco.jpg

Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers

Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers
The Last Mrs. Astor - A New York Story by Frances Kiernan.jpg

Recommended reading: Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers

Recommended reading: Epicureans, socialites, hosts, philanthropists, and entertainers
Tory Burch shoes - darlene MID HEEL PUMP.jpg

Foot fetish: Tory Burch shoes

Lots of beautiful shoes from Tory Burch

 

You might also like our list of suggested reading and viewing, in this Downton Abbey-related post.

Cheers, Natasha
www.myLusciousLife.com

 

 

 

 

 

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